NFL Player News

Freiermuth secured two of three targets for 19 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers' 26-20 preseason win over the Lions on Saturday night.

The rookie tight end flashed his height, leaping ability and sure hands on his two grabs, which came from 11 and eight yards out. Freiermuth impressively went up high near the back line of the end zone to snare the first scoring throw from Ben Roethlisberger and he made an impressive catch in tight coverage on the second touchdown. The red-zone usage was certainly encouraging from a fantasy perspective, and although veteran Eric Ebron will certainly command his share of targets near the end zone in the coming season, Freiermuth's 6-foot-5 frame should garner him a fair amount of opportunities as well.

Gesicki secured both targets for 43 yards in the Dolphins' 37-17 preseason win over the Falcons on Saturday night.

Gesicki checked in second to Mack Hollins in receiving yardage among non-running backs for the night. The 25-year-old endured a stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier in camp, but as Saturday's performance demonstrated, he seems back to his usual form. Gesicki should once again play an important role in Miami's passing game in 2021 after logging 174 total targets over the last two seasons, but the team's offseason wide receiver additions and the return of Albert Wilson (undisclosed) after an opt-out season could ding the fourth-year tight end's opportunities some.

Waller will not play in Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Waller recently returned to practice from a minor ankle issue, but the team still is playing it safe with their star tight end. That makes plenty of sense given that the Raiders passing attack primarily will run through him come the regular season. Among the tight end corps, Foster Moreau also isn't expected to play Saturday.

Knox recorded one reception on two targets for 10 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Bears.

Knox made his lone catch of the game on the team's first offensive drive. He was limited otherwise and has now recorded one reception in each of the team's first two preseason games. Knox recorded 24 receptions for 288 yards and three touchdowns across 12 games in his second professional season in 2020. Given that Stefon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders, Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis are likely to command targets ahead of him, Knox is unlikely to see a significant uptick in targets in 2021.

James caught four passes for 54 yards in Chicago's 41-15 preseason loss to the Bills on Saturday.

James played with both the starters and reserves, catching passes from both Andy Dalton and Justin Fields, and he was second on the team with five targets. After his second-straight solid performance, he appears to be in the driver's seat to open the season as the team's No. 3 tight end behind Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham.

Graham recorded one catch on one target for five yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Bills.

Graham made his debut for the 2021 season, recording his lone catch of the day on the second play of the game. While he recorded 50 receptions and eight touchdowns in 2020, Graham slowly lost snaps to Cole Kmet (hamstring) down the stretch of the regular season. The pair figure to split reps again this season, though Kmet could be in line to take over the majority of the playing time on a more regular basis.

Sweeney (foot) will not play in Saturday's exhibition game against the Bears, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.

Sweeney has been sidelined at practice this last week due to a foot injury sustained in the team's preseason opener agaisnt the Lions. He saw 18 offensive snaps in the contest. He is looking to earn a spot on the Bills' 53-man roster providing depth at tight end.

Kmet (hamstring) wasn't in uniform for Saturday's preseason game against the Bills, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

With Biggs adding that he expects to see Jimmy Graham play sparingly Saturday, added TE looks figure to be available for Jesse James, Jesper Horsted and Scooter Harrington

Thomas caught one of two targets for 28 yards in Friday's 17-13 preseason win over the Bengals.

The tight end took a short pass for 28 yards on the first snap of the game, with his second target being a third-down incompletion to end the opening drive. Signed to a three-year extension earlier this summer, the late-blooming Thomas enters his age-30 season locked in as Washington's starting tight end. He may even handle a three-down role again, though a repeat of last year's target total (110) seems unlikely after the team bolstered its WR room this offseason. Thomas will open his season with two games in quick succession, with Washington hosting the Chargers on Sept. 12 and the Giants on Sept. 16 (TNF in Week 2).

Wells was signed by Atlanta on Friday, John Deighton of the team's official website reports.

Wells originally signed with Dallas after being passed over in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has since spent time with the Chiefs and Patriots before landing with the Falcons, and he'll now compete for a depth tight end role.