NFL Player News

McBride played one snap in Thursday's 27-14 preseason win over the Raiders.

QB Jacoby Brissett, WR Marvin Harrison and the five starting offensive linemen played all 11 snaps on Arizona's opening drive. It was only McBride who got superstar treatment, as WR Michael Wilson and RB Jeremiyah Love also took most of the snaps on the lone series for Arizona's first-team offense. McBride has far more competition for the ball this year, but he'll still be prioritized in the passing game and remains a clear favorite to lead the team in targets.

Washington failed to see a target in Thursday's 28-9 preseason win over the Packers.

QB Aaron Rodgers wasn't under center in the Steelers' exhibition opener, while the team's top two wideouts DK Metcalf (undisclosed) and Michael Pittman (leg) were sidelined, but top tight ends Washington and Pat Freiermuth both made cameos in the contest. Washington's receiving numbers took a step forward in his third NFL season, and with Jonnu Smith no longer on the roster, the 2023 third-round pick could see his volume tick up a little further after he caught 31 of 43 targets for 364 yards and a touchdown over 16 regular-season contests last year.

Freiermuth caught his only target for two yards in Thursday's 28-9 preseason win over the Packers.

QB Aaron Rodgers wasn't under center in the Steelers' exhibition opener, while the team's top two wideouts DK Metcalf (undisclosed) and Michael Pittman (leg) were sidelined, but top tight ends Freiermuth and Darnell Washington both made cameos in the contest. Freiermuth's lone catch came just short of the goal line, as Mason Rudolph found him on a 4th-and-3 early in the second quarter. The 27-year-old saw his receiving numbers decline in 2025, and while significant competition for targets went out the door this offseason in Jonnu Smith and Kenny Gainwell, the addition of Pittman as a possession receiver could put a ceiling on how much Freiermuth is able to bounce back.

Helm brought in his only target for 16 yards in the Titans' 19-13 preseason win over the 49ers on Thursday.

With Chig Okonkwo now in Washington, Helm is set to operate as the Titans' unquestioned No. 1 tight end in 2026. Consequently, the second-year pro was on the field with the rest of the starters to open Thursday's game, and he flashed on his one reception, which came during the Titans' opening possession. Helm's 16-yard grab moved the ball into 49ers territory and put his ability to gain yards after the catch on display. Helm already managed a 44-357-2 line across 16 regular-season games in a rotational role as a rookie in 2025, so fantasy expectations are understandably elevated now that Okonkwo is no longer a competitor for Cam Ward's attention.

Klein caught his only target for 31 yards in Thursday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Chargers.

Klein's lone catch gained enough yards to lead the Texans in receiving yards as Houston's offense struggled to produce while the team's starters rested in the preseason opener. Houston drafted Klein 59th overall out of Michigan, and the rookie second-round pick is likely to begin his career in a backup role behind Dalton Schultz. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Klein was known more for his blocking than his receiving ability in college.

Gadsden caught two of three targets for 21 yards in Thursday's 21-7 preseason win over the Texans.

The Chargers rested key starters, including QB Justin Herbert, but Gadsden evidently hasn't earned that distinction coming off a 664-yard rookie regular season. Both of Gadsden's catches Thursday came on passes thrown by Trey Lance. In Gadsden's second NFL campaign, he will try to hold off David Njoku for targets among the Chargers' tight ends. Gadsden could continue to see action in the Chargers' second preseason game, Aug. 20 against the 49ers.

Gesicki didn't catch his only target in Thursday's 16-14 preseason win over the Lions.

Gesicki's lone target came on a pass from Joe Burrow on the game's second possession. Cincinnati's starters exited the contest shortly thereafter. The 30-year-old Gesicki is tentatively penciled in atop a Bengals tight end depth chart that also includes Drew Sample, Erick All, Tanner Hudson and Jack Endries, the last of whom caught a four-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter from backup quarterback Joe Flacco.

The Packers waived Maryland (hamstring) with an injury settlement Thursday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Maryland reverted to the Packers' injured reserve Wednesday after clearing waivers. The undrafted free agent out of SMU may be able to recover from his hamstring issue and sign with another organization during the 2026 season.

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.