NFL Player News

Kittle (Achilles) was seen running routes, catching passes and doing conditioning work prior to Monday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

According to Wagoner, it was the most extensive work Kittle has done at practice this summer, as he continues to work his way back from a torn Achilles. Kittle remains on the active/PUP list for San Francisco, but he's continued to say he's on track to play Week 1 against the Rams in 31 days. He'll turn 33 years old in two months but figures to remain a red-zone presence for Brock Purdy. Kittle is no longer a top-tier fantasy tight end, but he should be productive when on the field in an efficient 49ers offense.

New Chargers OC Mike McDaniel said Monday he'll likely use a "hot hand" approach in the backfield this season, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

"Bad news, fantasy owners," McDaniel said regarding the roles for Hampton, Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell. "Good news is I see all three of those guys producing at a very high level. Bad news is I can't tell you which games those are." Hampton is being drafted in the second round of best-ball drafts currently, which appears to be a rich price for a player involved in what could be a convoluted backfield in 2026. Hampton wasn't handpicked by McDaniel, and the team signed Mitchell to a two-year, $9.25 million deal at McDaniel's request during the offseason. Vidal has the trust of coach Jim Harbaugh after what he did in Hampton's place last season. There are a lot of mouths to feed in this offense as a whole, making Hampton a high-risk, potentially-high-reward fantasy pick.

Dulcich (hand) was a full participant in Monday's practice, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Dulcich had been in a red non-contact jersey at practice last week but appears to be past his hand issue. The 26-year-old is slated to handle TE1 duties for the Dolphins this season after he caught 26 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown over the final nine games last regular season. A catch-first athlete at the position, there's a world in which Dulcich paces this offense in receiving in 2026 due to the lack of proven playmaking at the wide receiver position.

Deablo (ankle) won't practice Monday, but head coach Kevin Stefanski says the veteran linebacker will return to the field soon, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports

Deablo left practice Saturday with an ankle injury, but Stefanski indicated little concern about his availability going forward, per Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site. The 27-year-old was given the green dot this offseason, setting him up for more responsibility on Atlanta's defense. Deablo played his first season with the Falcons in 2025 after spending his first four in Las Vegas, and he totaled 73 tackles, including 1.0 sacks, as well as seven pass deflections over 13 regular-season games.

Chargers OC Mike McDaniel said Monday that Mitchell will have an offensive role on game days this season, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.

McDaniel specifically mentioned all three of Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal and Mitchell will have roles in the offense. "All three of those guys will start at that point given the nature of the NFL," McDaniel said. "I will use all three of those guys every game." Mitchell signed a two-year, $9.25 million deal with the Bolts in the offseason, and that's not chump change for a running back, so the money itself suggests McDaniel has a vision for him. Armed with a 4.37 40 time and elite burst, Mitchell is a dream fit in McDaniel's offense that is built on speed. The Chargers have already been experimenting with Mitchell in the passing game this summer. He's a high-upside, lottery-ticket pick in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.

Bo Nix said Monday that Engram has been more involved in the running game and as a blocker during training camp, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Nix singled out Engram's willingness to work on his blocking this summer and said the veteran tight end is "doing well" in that area of his game, and it could lead to Engram playing more snaps and getting more involved in the play-action passing offense. Engram signed a two-year, $23 million deal with the Broncos ahead of the 2025 season but went on to play a career-low 42 percent of the offensive snaps across 16 regular-season games. It led to Engram catching just 50 of 76 targets for 461 yards and one touchdown in those contests. His 28.8 yards per game average was the second-lowest in his nine-year career. If Engram can earn coach Sean Payton's trust as a blocker, it could certainly help boost his playing time and receiving production.

Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said the 49ers are "just managing" McCaffrey (undisclosed), who missed Monday's practice due to "tightness," Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kubiak also told Wagoner that McCaffrey is "a little sore," but the standout running back is "doing fine." The 49ers also are dealing with injuries to others in the backfield, namely Jordan James (broken ribs), Kaelon Black (adductor) and Isaac Guerendo (pectoral, active/PUP), meaning Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick and Khalil Herbert currently are the healthy options at the position. Kubiak's comments indicate the team will take a cautious approach with McCaffrey until he's fully healthy.

Sadiq (hernia) is listed as Mason Taylor's backup at tight end on the Jets' first unofficial depth chart Monday, Eric Allen of the team's official site reports.

It's not at all surprising considering Sadiq has barely been able to practice with the team after undergoing hernia surgery in the spring before experiencing a setback with his recovery in the early days of training camp. Sadiq and Taylor, while both listed as tight ends, also essentially play different positions, as Taylor is expected to operate as a block-first traditional tight end while Sadiq plays detached from the line in more of a big slot role.

Cooper is listed behind Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchellon the Jets' initial unofficial depth chart, Eric Allen of the team's official site reports.

Preseason depth charts can often be taken with a grain of salt, especially when it comes to rookies, and it's not especially surprising to see Cooper listed behind a pair of returnees. In any case, the 2026 first-rounder figures to see his share of snaps out of the gate this season in three-receiver sets, with the Indiana product's fantasy upside hinging on how quickly and how well he and veteran QB Geno Smith build their on-field chemistry.

Ferrell (undisclosed) is expected to be out for multiple weeks, Alain Poupart of SI.comreports.

Head coach Jeff Hafley indicated that Ferrell would take weeks to return due to an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal with Miami in late July and was expected to compete for a rotational edge-rusher role, but his roster spot may be in jeopardy as a result of the injury. Ferrell, who has now been on five different teams in five seasons, most recently suited up for the 49ers, where he recorded 24 tackles, including 4.0 sacks, in eight regular-season games in 2025.