NFL Player News

Kraft (knee) appears on track to be available for the Packers' Week 1 matchup with the Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 13, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kraft spent the first two days of training camp on the active/PUP list, but he's been active on the field for most practices since then, including Monday's session when he was seen running routes on air while catching passes from QB Jordan Love without a sleeve on his right knee. Said knee endured a torn ACL in Week 9 of last season, but considering Kraft's slow build-up to date in camp, Rapoport's report lines up with an appearance for the tight end in the regular-season opener. Another question surrounding Kraft is whether or not he and the Packers are able to agree to terms on a contract extension.

Sanders could have to battle for a roster spot for the remainder of the preseason with the Panthers slated to sign veteran tight end Darren Waller to a one-year deal, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.

Even before the Panthers brought Waller aboard, Sanders already looked to be third on the depth chart at tight end, as he played in the team's preseason opener versus the Cardinals last week while Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans were rested. A fourth-round draft pick in 2024, Sanders had still been viewed as the Panthers' top pass-catching option at the position, but he no longer holds that distinction following the addition of the 33-year-old Waller, who ended a one-year retirement last season and delivered an impressive 24-283-6 receiving line in just six games with the Dolphins. With Carolina also holding Feleipe Franks in high regard for his special-teams contributions, the team may prefer to enter the season with him as their No. 4 tight end over Sanders, who could be viewed as redundant now that Waller is in the fold.

Tremble could face competition atop the depth chart at tight end with Carolina slated to sign Darren Waller to a one-year contract, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.

Regarded as a strong blocker, Tremble projects to enter his sixth season in Carolina as the team's starter, but he could end up ceding more work on obvious passing downs to Waller, who ended a one-year retirement in 2025 and delivered an impressive 24-283-6 receiving line on 34 targets over just six games with the Dolphins. Waller's receiving output was on par with Tremble's over his full 17-game slate with Carolina, as the latter contributed 27 catches for 249 yards and two touchdowns on 37 targets. The modest catch and yardage totals were all career highs for Tremble, who now appears likely to take a step back statistically in 2026 if Waller emerges as Carolina's top pass-catching tight end.

Kelce said Wednesday that he wants to "prove to myself that I can play at a better level than I did last year" this upcoming season, Nate Taylor of ESPN.com reports.

"That's probably the biggest thing for me, is making sure I'm accountable to the guys in this [locker] room and every single play that I'm out there," Kelce continued. "[Just] being more accountable when the ball is in the air. There were a few games last year that I felt like I put on myself. In the blocking world, being able to get my guy so we can spring guys for bigger gains. And just being a better leader." Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving last season, but his 50.1 yards per game were his fewest in the last 12 years. He did average 11.2 yards per catch, though, which was a big jump from his 8.5 yards-per-catch average in 2024. Kelce is turning 37 years old in less than two months and doesn't move like he used to, but he still knows how to get open and has undeniable chemistry with Patrick Mahomes. Kelce should remain a big factor on third downs and in the red zone for Kansas City, but he's no longer one of fantasy's top tight ends.

Green Bay waived Lachey (foot) from its injured reserve list with an injury settlement Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Lachey was going to have to spend the whole 2026 campaign on IR, but he's now on track to become a free agent instead, assuming he clears waivers. Once he's recovered from the left foot injury he's tending to, he'll be able to suit up with any club that offers him a contract.

Ferguson was a standout performer during the Rams' joint practice with the Cowboys on Tuesday, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Star wideout Puka Nacua (groin) made an early exit from practice; that opened up extra targets for others, and Ferguson looks to have been one of the main beneficiaries. According to play-by-play notes provided by Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Ferguson notched at least four receptions, two of which went for big gains. Ferguson had an excellent pass-catching profile coming out of Oregon, and he averaged an impressive 21.0 yards per reception on 11 catches as a rookie second-round pick in 2025. Though the Rams maintain a crowded tight-end room heading into 2026, Ferguson should still see his role grow in Year 2 while head coach Sean McVay frequently favors two- or three-tight-end sets.

Green Bay waived Biber on Tuesday.

Just a week after signing with the Packers as an undrafted free agent, Biber is now set to become a free agent again if he's not claimed by another team during the current waiver period. His departure could create more opportunities for Messiah Swinson and McCallan Castles.

The Lions waived Kitselman (leg) from injured reserve with an injury settlement Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Kitselman suffered a leg injury during a practice session in early August, which prompted the Lions to place the 23-year-old tight end on injured reserve this past Wednesday. He would have been forced to miss the entire 2026 season while on IR, but the settlement allows Kitselman to sign and play with a team once he's fully healthy.

The Browns claimed Wright off waivers from the Eagles on Tuesday.

Wright is on the Browns' 90-man roster one day after being waived by the Eagles. The Ole Miss product is a long shot to make Cleveland's 53-man roster for the upcoming season, but a strong audition in training camp and preseason games could be enough for him to stick around on the practice squad.

The Falcons signed Muse to a contract Tuesday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

Muse will join the Falcons two days after being released from the Lions' 90-man roster. The 2022 seventh-rounder will join the Falcons for training camp and have the opportunity to audition for a spot on the 53-man roster or practice squad for the start of the 2026 season. Muse last saw regular-season action in 2024 with the Vikings, when he totalled 64 snaps (17 on offense, 47 on special teams) across four games.