James was cut from the Raiders' practice squad Tuesday.
James signed with Las Vegas on Nov. 8, but he will now look for a new opportunity elsewhere. The tight end hasn't appeared in a game this season after playing in two contests with Cleveland last year.
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Jesse James: Joins Raiders' practice squad
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Las Vegas signed James to its practice squad Wednesday.
James was cut by New Orleans prior to Week 1, but he has now found a new opportunity with the Raiders ahead of Week 10. In two games with Cleveland in 2022, James played a total of 18 offensive snaps and did not draw a target.
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Jesse James: Set for release
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The Saints are slated to release James (groin) on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
James doesn't appear to have been released with an injury designation, which would indicate he's recovered from his groin issue and is healthy enough to sign with another team, should the opportunity arise. The veteran couldn't secure a roster spot in New Orleans' deep tight end room, but he could draw interest elsewhere.
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Saints' Jesse James: Dealing with groin injury
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James won't play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Chiefs due to a groin injury, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
It's unclear when James suffered the injury or how serious the issue is. Regardless, his next chance to make his Saints debut will arrive Sunday, Aug. 20 against the Chargers.
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Saints' Jesse James: Joins New Orleans
Rotowire
The Saints signed James (biceps) on Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
James signed a one-year deal with the Browns in 2022 but appeared in just two games before suffering a season-ending biceps injury. Given that he passed a physical before signing his contract with New Orleans, the veteran tight end appears to be healthy heading into 2023 and will look to make the Saints' Week 1 roster. During a three-year stretch in Pittsburgh from 2016 through 2018, James caught 112 passes for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns, but he's failed to replicate that production in each of his last three stops (Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland).
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Browns' Jesse James: Goes to IR with biceps injury
Rotowire
Cleveland placed James (biceps) on IR on Tuesday.
James will now have to miss at least the next four weeks, including the Browns' matchup versus Pittsburgh, his former team, Thursday. Regardless, David Njoku is Cleveland's clear number one tight end and nearly an every-down player, and Harrison Bryant (thumb) has played ahead of James up to this point too.
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Browns' Jesse James: Won't face former team Week 3
Rotowire
James won't play Thursday against the Steelers due to a biceps injury, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
James has played just 18 offensive snaps through two games with the Browns, so his absence is unlikely to have a significant effect on Cleveland's game plan. Nonetheless, the reserve tight end will be disappointed to miss this showdown against the team with which he spent his first four NFL seasons.
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Browns' Jesse James: Signs with Cleveland
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The Browns signed James on Sunday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
James spent last year with the Bears, catching seven passes for 62 yards and a score across 14 appearances, but he wasn't retained this offseason. In Cleveland, the veteran tight end will be a solid No. 3 option behind David Njoku and Harrison Bryant, but he hasn't garnered a sizable offensive role since his first four seasons in the NFL with Pittsburgh.
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Bears' Jesse James: Not targeted in loss
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James posted no stats in the Bears' 31-17 Week 18 loss to the Vikings, and he ended the season with seven catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.
As the Bears' third-string tight end, James saw more than 25 snaps on just two occasions. Although he technically has three more years on his contract, all are void years, and the team can move on with no cap penalty. However, if the Bears let Jimmy Graham go, James could move up the depth chart and potentially have fantasy value as a red-zone target, though Cole Kmet will likely see the overwhelming majority of tight end targets.
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Bears' Jesse James: First catch since Week 8
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James caught his only target for four yards in the Bears' 29-3 win over the Giants on Sunday.
This is just the third time this season that James has posted a reception in a game, and he won't be a recommended fantasy option in Week 18 against the Vikings.
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Bears' Jesse James: Removed from COVID-19 list
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James was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.
James was one of five Chicago players to be removed from COVID-19 protocols Monday. He will likely assume his usual role behind Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham during the Bears' Week 17 matchup with the Giants.
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Bears' Jesse James: Not activated Monday
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James will remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list and won't be available for Monday's game against the Vikings, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.
The reserve tight end is one of 14 members of the Bears roster or practice squad who won't suit up Monday after being placed on the list in recent days. James had drawn just one target over the Bears' last five games, so his absence will likely go unnoticed for fantasy purposes.
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Bears' Jesse James: Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list
Rotowire
James was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.
The tight end will now likely be unavailable for the team's Monday night matchup with the Vikings as he goes through COVID-19 protocols. With Cole Kmet (illness), Jesper Horsted (illness) and Jimmy Graham (knee) questionable for Week 15, J.P. Holtz is the only healthy option remaining at the position going into Friday.
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Bears' Jesse James: Finds end zone
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James caught three passes for 38 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 33-22 loss to the 49ers on Sunday.
With Jimmy Graham (COVID-19) missing this game, James caught all three of his targets, including the only touchdown pass Justin Fields threw. For the second straight game, James caught three passes, though once Graham returns, there's a strong chance James returns to the reserve spot he held, which resulted in zero catches through Week 6.
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Bears' Jesse James: Targeted three times
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James caught three passes for 20 yards in the Bears' 38-3 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
James took over the second tight-end role with Jimmy Graham (COVID-19) sitting this one out, but he had most of his production when the game was well out of hand. Stuck in an anemic Chicago passing attack while not being the lead tight end, James has limited fantasy upside.
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Bears' Jesse James: Back for Week 6
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James (personal) doesn't appear on Chicago's injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.
James missed Chicago's previous game due to personal reasons but should make his return for this clash of NFC North rivals. With Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham occupying the top two spots on the Bears' tight end depth chart, James isn't expected to play a major role in his return.
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Bears' Jesse James: Ruled out against Raiders
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James (personal) won't play Sunday against the Raiders.
James didn't practice all week and will consequently sit out when his teammates travel to Vegas. Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham should continue to dominate snaps at the tight end position for Chicago.
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Bears' Jesse James: Impresses again
Rotowire
James caught four passes for 54 yards in Chicago's 41-15 preseason loss to the Bills on Saturday.
James played with both the starters and reserves, catching passes from both Andy Dalton and Justin Fields, and he was second on the team with five targets. After his second-straight solid performance, he appears to be in the driver's seat to open the season as the team's No. 3 tight end behind Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham.
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Bears' Jesse James: Signs with Bears
Rotowire
James signed a one-year contract with the Bears on Sunday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
James averaged 377.7 yards per season from 2016 to 2018 with the Steelers, but he totaled just 271 yards and two touchdowns with the Lions across the last two seasons. The 27-year-old will have to compete behind Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham for targets in Chicago.
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Jesse James: Done in Detroit
Rotowire
The Lions released James on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
James had the two worst years of his career in Detroit, logging just 142 and 129 receiving yards in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Wherever he next lands, James should at least benefit from not working behind T.J. Hockensen, which could potentially allow the tight end to reprise production levels similar to what he once recorded in Pittsburgh. From 2016-18 with the Steelers, James strung together three straight seasons with at least 300 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
