NFL Player News

Higbee didn't play in Saturday's preseason contest in Cincinnati.

Higbee's return from an MCL sprain suffered during the NFC Championship Game will come with no playing time during the trio of preseason games, during which Kendall Blanton was surprisingly waived. The Rams may go into the season with just two tight ends, as only Brycen Hopkins seems like a lock for a roster spot with cut day looming Tuesday, so Higbee's heavy volume of work from his previous few seasons should remain consistent. Higbee's first season with Matthew Stafford as his quarterback saw him record 61 catches (on 85 targets) for 560 yards and five touchdowns, and a similar level of production should be expected from the tight end, although his red-zone production could take a hit with the big-bodied Allen Robinson taking over as the team's No. 2 wide receiver.

Gentry wasn't targeted during Sunday's 19-9 preseason win over the Lions.

Gentry served as a starter Sunday and was on the field for 25 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps, but he didn't have an impact in the passing game. The 2019 fifth-rounder was quiet during the preseason, securing his lone target for nine yards. He's in line to begin the year as the No. 2 tight end behind Pat Freiermuth since Eric Ebron is no longer with the team, but Gentry's fantasy value will likely be limited as long as Freiermuth is healthy.

The Steelers waived Sternberger on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Sternberger joined the Steelers' practice squad in November of last year and spent the rest of the season on the team's practice squad before he signed a futures deal in January. The 2019 third-round pick hasn't appeared in an NFL regular-season game since 2020, when he caught 12 of 15 targets for 114 yards and one score across 12 appearances with Green Bay.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Monday "it's a little too early" to say whether Tonyan (knee) will suit up for the regular season-opener against Minnesota, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Tonyan resumed taking part in team drills Sunday, and the Packers activated him from the active/PUP list on Aug. 14, so it's clear he's making progress in his recovery from a torn left ACL. With the season opener just under two weeks away, Tonyan still has a bit of time to showcase his health before the team will need to make a decision on his Week 1 status.

Allen hauled in four of four targets for 40 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's exhibition loss to the Jets.

The Giants had 14 different players notch at least one reception in the contest, and Allen had the only touchdown on an 18-yard connection with Davis Webb in the fourth quarter. Allen signed with New York as an undrafted free agent in May after racking up 602 yards on 38 catches with Nebraska last year. He's not guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster but certainly has a shot given the lack of depth at the tight-end position behind fellow rookie Daniel Bellinger.

Freiermuth hauled in three passes (on four targets) for 45 yards in Sunday's preseason win over the Lions.

Freiermuth has racked up 80 receiving yards on just five receptions through two abbreviated preseason tilts. These stats don't count yet, but those who were hoping for the second-year tight end to build off his solid rookie campaign (497 yards and seven touchdowns) have to be pleased with his performance. Freiermuth will be the primary tight end for whoever head coach Mike Tomlin decides to name starting quarterback prior to the season opener against the Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 11.

Ertz (calf) didn't play in Saturday's preseason loss at Tennessee.

Ertz made an early exit from practice on Aug. 4 due to a calf injury and hasn't made any visible progress in the meantime. He and his wife also welcomed their first child during that stretch, so there are numerous reasons he didn't make an appearance in exhibition season. Ertz still has two weeks to get healthy ahead of the Cardinals' Week 1 matchup with the Chiefs on Sunday, Sept. 11. However, if his availability for that contest starts to become murky, reserve tight ends Trey McBride, a rookie second-round pick, and even Maxx Williams (knee) could make their way into the game plan.

McBride wasn't targeted on 35 offensive snaps during Saturday's preseason loss at Tennessee.

Since missing the Cardinals' first exhibition due to a sore back, McBride has suited up in the team's ensuing two preseason contests, failing to haul in either of his targets while racking up 66 snaps on offense and 14 more on special teams. Of course, the rookie second-round pick has yet to work in a game with starting quarterback Kyler Murray, so his prospects should improve once Week 1 arrives. Moreover, top tight end Zach Ertz (calf) didn't play in the preseason, and Maxx Williams still is in recovery mode from a torn ACL suffered last October, so McBride immediately could earn a fair number of snaps to begin his career.

Hockenson caught one of two targets for 15 yards in Sunday's preseason finale against the Steelers.

Hockenson got rested in the Lions' first two preseason games, but head coach Dan Campbell decided to get his starting tight end some work before the regular season begins Sept. 11. The 25-year-old had his fifth-year option picked up this offseason following thumb surgery, and Sunday's preseason appearance confirms the tight end's clean bill of health heading into a Week 1 matchup against the Eagles. Hockenson should be considered a TE1 with some room for growth heading into the 2022 season.

The Raiders waived Bowers on Sunday, Josh Dubow of the Associated Press reports.

Bowers joined the Raiders in 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State, and after spending that season on the practice squad, he made his NFL debut in 2021. He appeared in five total contests and played 39 offensive snaps but never saw a target.