NFL Player News

Schultz and most other starters aren't expected to play in Friday's final preseason game against Seattle, with the Cowboys looking ahead to their Week 1 matchup with the Buccaneers, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The Cowboys will rest starters for a third straight week, prioritizing health over reps throughout the preseason. Schultz could be even busier this year than he was during his breakout 2021, as the Cowboys traded WR Amari Cooper to Cleveland and don't expect WR Michael Gallup (knee) to be ready for Week 1. The downside there is that Schultz will get more attention from defenses, starting with a Tampa unit that has S Antoine Winfield and LBs Lavonte David and Devin White patrolling the middle of the field. The Bucs allowed the 12th most PPR points to TEs last year, but it was largely volume-based without many big plays (six TDs, 6.7 YPT).

Deguara was targeted once but did not catch a pass in Friday's exhibition matchup with the Chiefs.

Deguara did not do much during the preseason, finishing with totals of six targets, three receptions and 23 yards. His versatility could help get him on the field when the regular season gets underway, but he may not get enough looks to make a fantasy impact, particularly with fellow tight end Robert Tonyan (knee) likely being ready to go early in the season, if not Week 1.

Offensive coordinator Justin Outten said Thursday that Okwuegbunam will play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Vikings, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

After Okwuegbunam didn't receive a target on 16 offensive snaps in the Broncos' exhibition opener, he played much of preseason Week 2 this past Saturday in Buffalo, gathering in four of five passes for 32 yards. His usage under new coach Nathaniel Hackett has been strange to say the least as Denver's No. 1 tight end, but Okwuegbunam has yet to see action with new quarterback Russell Wilson and likely won't this weekend as well. As long as Okwuegbunam emerges Saturday with his health intact, he should serve as one of the team's top playmakers Week 1 and beyond.

Kittle started but didn't catch his only target in Thursday's 17-0 preseason loss to the Texans.

Kittle posted an equivalent stat line to starting wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, as Trey Lance struggled to connect with his top pass catchers during the starting quarterback's three drives of action. Despite this discouraging dress rehearsal, Kittle remains among the game's top tight ends heading into the regular season, usually slotting in fourth at the position behind Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and Kyle Pitts.

Bushman was forced to exit the Chiefs' preseason finale Thursday with a fractured clavicle, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Bushman left Kansas City's preseason finale against the Packers in the third quarter after scoring two touchdowns and recording three catches overall for 73 yards. The 26-year-old will try to fight for a depth spot behind Travis Kelce once he heals up from his collarbone injury.

Bushman suffered an arm injury during Thursday's preseason finale against the Packers, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Bushman suffered his right arm injury in the third quarter of Thursday's preseason finale after scoring two touchdowns earlier in the game. Last season, the tight end bounced around the league playing on multiple teams. In 2022, he hopes to earn a reserve role behind Travis Kelce once he's fully healthy.

Quitoriano (knee) will not play in Thursday's preseason game against the 49ers, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

It's unclear when Quitoriano suffered the knee injury, as he tallied a six-yard touchdown in Houston's second preseason game. He joins Antony Auclair (knee) and Pharaoh Brown (hamstring) among injured tight ends on the depth chart, which leaves the position in flux heading into the regular season.

Tonyan (knee) isn't expected to play in Thursday's preseason contest in Kansas City, Mike Spofford and Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site report.

Green Bay activated Tonyan from the active/PUP list on Aug. 14, but he remains in the midst of his recovery from the torn ACL in his left knee that he sustained Week 8 last season. As such, he has yet to participate in team drills in practice, meaning his status for Week 1 at Minnesota is a lingering question mark.

Brown (hamstring) will not play in Thursday's preseason game against the 49ers, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Brown has been dealing with a hamstring injury since mid-August and was spotted on the practice field earlier in the week. However, the team will opt to keep him out of game action in the hopes that he will be fully healthy in time for Houston's first regular-season game against the Colts. Brown figures to serve as the second tight end behind Brevin Jordan.

Kittle is in uniform and appears set to play in Thursday's preseason game in Houston, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Along with Kittle, quarterback Trey Lance and wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are suiting up, meaning the 49ers are readying for a dress rehearsal ahead of Week 1. Kittle is unlikely to play more than a series or two before hitting the sidelines for the remainder of the contest.