NFL Player News

Ferguson could take over the role Blake Jarwin held last season before his career-ending hip injury, according to Bob Sturm of The Athletic.

Even as the No. 2 tight end behind Dalton Schultz, Jarwin was averaging over 35 snaps a game on offense in the first half of the 2021 season before getting hurt in Week 8, and the Cowboys' offense struggled in the second half as it got away from using 12 personnel (one RB, two TE) due to a lack of a reliable option behind Schultz. The decision to draft Ferguson in the fourth round of the 2022 draft seems motivated by a desire to get back to that scheme and philosophy, so the rookie could see the field a lot right out of the gate. Jarwin caught nine of 12 targets for 89 yards and a TD over the first four games of last season, and Ferguson could see similar volume as a receiver to begin his career.

Okwuegbunam (lower body) practiced Tuesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Okwuegbunam "had a little tightness" last week, but he appears to be fine heading into Week 1. With Noah Fant gone and Russell Wilson in town, the 2020 fourth-round pick is expected to have a big season as the Broncos' No. 1 tight end. Last year, he appeared in 14 games and caught 33 of 40 targets for 330 yards and two scores.

The Chiefs placed Bell (hip) on injured reserve Monday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Bell underwent surgery to address a hip flexor injury in late August and doesn't yet have a timetable for return, but he'll be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season. Once the 2015 fourth-rounder is back to full health, he's expected to serve as depth at tight end behind Travis Kelce.

Heyward is listed as the No. 3 tight end on the Steelers' Week 1 depth chart, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Heyward had a limited impact for Pittsburgh during the preseason, logging five receptions for 30 yards. The 2022 sixth-rounder will likely struggle to find work in the Steelers' passing game as a rookie, but it's possible that he's used as a fullback if Derek Watt is unavailable at any point this season.

Coach Kliff Kingsbury called Ertz (calf) "day-to-day" Monday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Ertz has been tending to a calf injury for the past month, missing practice in the meantime. The Cardinals don't have to post an injury report until Wednesday for Sunday's season opener against the Chiefs, but Kingsbury's comment seems to indicate Ertz will be limited, at best, this week. Next up for reps at tight end for Arizona is rookie second-round pick Trey McBride.

Turner (hamstring) participated in team drills during Monday's practice, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

It was the first time Turner had been able to practice without limitations since he suffered the injury. Despite missing most of training camp and all of Washington's preseason games, the rookie fifth-round pick appears healthy heading into the regular season. When asked if he'll play in the season opener, Turner said, "I'm ready to go."

Coach Kevin O'Connell reiterated Monday that he feels confident Smith (thumb) will be available for Sunday's season opener against the Packers, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Added context with regard to Smith's Week 1 status will arrive once the Vikings issue their first injury report of the season Wednesday. If the tight end is indeed able to suit up this weekend, he'll be in line to serve as the team's top pass-catching option at his position, with Johnny Mundt and Ben Ellefson slated to see complementary snaps behind Smith.

Wilcox (ankle) practiced Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Wilcox suffered a left ankle injury during the team's first preseason game and has been rehabbing since. The extent of his participation in practice remains to be seen, but even if it was in a limited fashion, it's still an upgrade from the rehab field. Drew Sample (shoulder) also returned to padded practices recently, so both tight ends could be available for a backup role behind newcomer Hayden Hurst during Sunday's season-opening matchup against the Steelers.

Thomas (knee) said Monday he's uncertain whether he will suit up for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Jaguars, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Thomas said he's working towards retaking the field "this week or next," so it's also possible Week 2 against Detroit could be his return target. The tight end is recovering from a torn left ACL, but he avoided starting the season on IR and thus looks to have a fair chance of missing less than four games. John Bates (calf) and Cole Turner (hamstring) also have been nursing lingering injuries, so Washington may not have much depth to fall back on if Thomas can't participate this weekend.

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.