NFL Player News

Joly caught both of his targets for 10 yards in Friday's preseason game against the Packers.

Joly played just eight offensive snaps, meaning he was targeted 25 percent of the time he was on the field. The rookie fifth-rounder continues to make his case for one of the three primary tight end slots on the Broncos' 53-man roster. The low amount of snaps further implies Joly has played his way into a valuable position.

Johnson (thumb) will not return to Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings.

Johnson exited the first half of the game on a cart. The linebacker signed with the Ravens in early August as a depth piece for the linebacker corps. If Johnson cannot recover from the injury in time for next Friday's preseason game against the Commanders, he will likely be waived or placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Wilson will be the Saints' starting quarterback against the Rams in Saturday's preseason contest, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Tyler Shough will not play in Saturday's exhibition contest, and the Saints have opted to go with Wilson as the starter, with Spencer Rattler serving as the backup and Hunter Dekkers in the mix for snaps late in the game. Wilson played well in the Saints' preseason opener against the Jaguars, as he completed 11 of 16 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown in a 24-20 loss.

Tremble caught both of his targets for 20 yards during the Panthers' 34-17 win over the Jaguars in Friday's preseason game.

Tremble was listed as the Panthers' starting tight end Friday while Darren Waller observed the game in street clothes. Tremble played only five snaps on offense but made the most of his limited action, which included a 15-yard reception from Bryce Young during the Panthers' seven-play, 58 yard drive in the first quarter that ended with a one-yard touchdown run from Jonathon Brooks. Tremble has logged 23-plus catches in each of the last three years and more than 230 yards in his last two seasons, but his playing time in the regular season could be limited by the presence of Waller.

Koziol played 18 snaps (13 on offense, five on special teams) but didn't show up in the box score otherwise during the Jaguars' 34-17 preseason loss to the Panthers on Friday.

Koziol and Hunter Long were listed as the Jaguars' starting tight ends for Friday's exhibition contest while both Brenton Strange and Nate Boerkircher observed the game from the sidelines. Koziol, a fifth-round selection of the Jaguars in the 2026 NFL Draft, is competing against Long and Quintin Morris for the TE3 role behind Strange and Boerkircher. Koziol's last in-game opportunity to win that job will come this Friday in the Jaguars' preseason finale against the Buccaneers.

Boerkircher did not participate in Friday's 34-17 preseason loss to Carolina.

The rookie second-rounder joined Brenton Strange on the sidelines for Friday's game, with fellow rookie Tanner Koziol seeing action against the Panthers. Boerkircher figures to be the favorite to enter the regular season as the Jaguars' TE2 behind Strange, with the former competing against Koziol, Quintin Morris and Hunter Long. The Jaguars wrap up their slate of preseason games this Friday against the Buccaneers.

Strange did not play in the Jaguars' 34-17 preseason loss to the Panthers on Friday.

Both Strange and rookie second-rounder Nate Boerkircher observed Friday's exhibition contest in street clothes, with Tanner Koziol, Quintin Morris, Hunter Long and Patrick Herbert each logging at least 13 offensive snaps. Strange is the top tight end on the depth chart, evidenced by the three-year, $48 million extension he signed with the Jaguars in June. He's coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which he caught 46 passes (on 60 targets) for 540 yards and three touchdowns across 12 regular-season games. Strange figures to play a key role in the Jaguars' passing attack this season alongside wide receivers Brian Thomas, Parker Washington (undisclosed) and Jakobi Meyers (hand).

Hunter did not play in the Jaguars' 34-17 preseason loss to the Panthers on Friday.

Hunter was joined by wide receivers Brian Thomas, Jakobi Meyers (hand) and Parker Washington on the sidelines for Friday's exhibition contest, which meant rookie sixth-rounders Josh Cameron and C.J. Williams were listed as the Jaguars' starting wideouts. Hunter has been listed as a backup WR and starting cornerback on the initial preseason depth chart, but he may not see much playing time on offense if both Cameron and Williams continue to impress the coaching staff in training camp and games. The Jaguars wrap up their preseason slate this Friday against the Buccaneers.

Fitzgerald converted two of three field-goal attempts while making all four PATs in Friday night's preseason game against the Jaguars.

Fitzgerald contributed 10 of the Panthers' 34 total points in the effort, making 48- and 61-yard field goals while missing a 31-yarder. The second-year kicker out of Florida State proved he has the leg for long-distance snipes but also flashed some consistency issues by missing a short-range kick. Overall, Fitzgerald had a good night and proved why he will remain the Panthers' starting kicker heading into the regular season.

Freiermuth played 10 snaps on offense but did not show up in the box score otherwise during the Steelers' 17-0 preseason loss to the Jets on Friday.

Freiermuth and Darnell Washington saw limited action in Friday's exhibition contest, with the former not seeing a target from Will Howard. Freiermuth is entering his sixth NFL season off the heels of a disappointing 2025 campaign, when he caught 41 passes (on 54 targets) for 486 yards and four touchdowns across 17 regular-season games, with his receptions and targets both being career lows. Freiermuth and Washington will provide quarterback Aaron Rodgers with big targets in the passing game, with both tight ends working in complement with wide receivers DK Metcalf (undisclosed) and Michael Pittman (hamstring).