Culp is in line to see increased target opportunities if No. 1 tight end Cade Otton (leg) is sidelined to open the regular season, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Head coach Todd Bowles previously remarked that Otton is expected "to be out a little bit," without further details. However, more information on a projected return timeline is expected during Week 1 practices next week, and Dix notes the Buccaneers will take a "committee approach" at tight end for any games Otton might be sidelined for. Considering No. 3 tight Ko Kieft has all of one reception since the beginning of the 2023 season, such a scenario would leave Culp and Payne Durham as the only legitimate pass-catching options at the position to open the season. That was the case during Weeks 16-18 last season when Otton sat out with a knee injury, a span in which Culp flashed some downfield chops while recording a 5-88-0 line on six targets. The second-year pro also generated three first downs on his five preseason receptions this summer, including on a 22-yard grab in the exhibition finale against the Bills on Saturday night.

Durham could see more pass-catching opportunities than usual to open the 2025 season due to Cade Otton potentially being sidelined with a leg injury, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.

While more clarity on a potential return timeline for Otton is expected during the official Week 1 practice week, Dix reports the Buccaneers are planning on taking a committee approach at the position if he is indeed forced to miss any regular-season action. That would afford Durham more targets, a scenario that also played out in Weeks 16-18 last season when Otton was sidelined due to a knee injury. Durham secured nine receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets in that span while sharing pass-catching responsibilities at the position with then-rookie Devin Culp, and that arrangement could well be replicated in the event of any Otton absences early this season.

The Giants signed Ismail to their practice squad Thursday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Ismail spent training camp with Las Vegas but didn't make the team's initial 53-man roster. He's subsequently getting a look from the Giants, who have a pretty full tight-end room consisting of Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz and Thomas Fidone. Ismail wasn't selected in the 2024 NFL Draft and spent last year on Baltimore's practice squad.

The Bears signed Kalinic to the practice squad Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Kalinic wasn't able to catch onto the Falcons' 53-man roster, and he'll head to Chicago to get an opportunity with the Bears as a member of their practice squad. He has played in nine regular-season games since entering the league in 2022 after a stint in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The Broncos signed Murtagh to their practice squad Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Denver received an international practice player exemption for Murtagh, who played Australian Rules Football before working with the Jaguars last season. He remains a bit light for NFL tight-end standards, so if he ever does contribute during the regular season, it will likely be in a pass-catching capacity.

The Chiefs signed Tonyan from their practice squad to their active roster Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Tonyan first signed with KC in mid-March, and he was released on cutdown day Tuesday before joining the team's practice squad one day later. The veteran tight end has now been made a part of the active roster, where he's set to serve as depth behind Travis Kelce, Noah Gray and Jared Wiley. Tonyan has plenty of experience to bring to the table, having seven seasons of NFL action on his resume.

The Buccaneers signed Taula to their practice squad Thursday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Taula spent the entire 2024 campaign on Tampa Bay's practice squad, and he'll now start the 2025 season there as well. With regular starting tight end Cade Otton dealing with a nagging leg issue, the Buccaneers' depth at tight end may be somewhat thin to open the regular season.

The Eagles signed Latu to the practice squad Thursday.

Latu will stay in Philadelphia as a member of the practice squad after being cut at the end of training camp. The tight end out of Alabama has yet to appear in an NFL regular-season game since being selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. That may change in Week 1 against the Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 4 if the Eagles need an extra tight end on the active roster, as Dallas Goedert (groin) may not be cleared to play.

Denver signed Lohner to the practice squad Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

The rookie seventh-rounder wasn't able to crack the Broncos' 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but he'll remain in Denver as a member of the team's practice squad. Lohner is a candidate to be elevated to the Broncos' active roster, as Nate Adkins is expected to miss at least the first two games of the regular season due to an ankle injury.

The Dolphins signed Rucci to their practice squad Thursday.

Rucci wasn't able to earn one of the tight-end slots on Miami's final 53-man roster for 2025, but he'll contribute as a member of the practice squad. He spent most of the 2024 campaign on the Dolphins' practice squad too, and he's still waiting to make his regular-season debut.