NFL Player News

Thomas and Marcus Baugh worked with pass catchers during individual drills at Thursday's practice, while the other Washington tight ends were put in blocking drills, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

Signed to a two-year, $6.2 million contract this offseason, Thomas is gearing up for a significant role in the Washington offense, perhaps becoming a starter for the first time in his age-29 season. That said, he won't necessarily handle a three-down role, and his new team is a good bet to land near the bottom of the league in cumulative TE targets. Thomas is an easy choice for fantasy managers interested in a Washington tight end, but in most cases the better option is to avoid the mess altogether.

Oliver (foot) won't be eligible to return from injured reserve, John Reid of The Florida Times-Union reports.

If the Jaguars wanted Oliver to be eligible to return, they would've had to wait until Sept. 6 to place him on injured reserve. As is, the 2019 third-round pick will miss the entire 2020 campaign while he recovers from surgery on a broken foot. Oliver missed 12 games last year with hamstring and back injuries, so his luck couldn't be much worse through two pro seasons. Meanwhile, Tyler Eifert is left with light competition for TE targets in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars placed Oliver (foot) on injured reserve Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Oliver is scheduled to have surgery on a broken foot and can now be ruled out for the entire 2020 season. The 2019 third-round pick missed the first six games of his rookie campaign with a hamstring injury and the final six games with a fracture in his back, limiting him to four appearances. With Oliver out of the picture, Tyler Eifert doesn't have much competition for targets at tight end.

It's unclear how Dwelley will be used with the signing of Jordan Reed this offseason.

Dwelley proved effective as both a blocker and backup tight end behind George Kittle in 2019, finishing with 91 yards and two scores on 15 receptions. The signing of Reed complicates the 25-year-old's role heading into the 2020 campaign. Dwelley is a superior run blocker, which could keep him on the field in certain heavy packages, but if Reed can stay on the field (a big "if"), then Dwelley will see his already low target share reduced even further.

The Titans cut Hesse on Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Hesse also spent the 2019 offseason in Tennessee, but ultimately failed to make the 53-man roster. He'll be free to search for a shot at a depth role elsewhere.

Bryant caught a pair of touchdown passes during drills Wednesday, Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Browns are giving Bryant a good look early in camp, and he's setting himself up for longer looks as camp wears on. The 2019 John Mackey Award winner can play off the line, something he did often at Florida Atlantic and the Browns want to do with their tight ends. Bryant's currently third on the depth chart but will be pushing David Njoku in camp.

Swaim signed a contract with the Titans on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 27-year-old was let go by the Jaguars this offseason, and after numerous tryouts around the league, he settled one a contract in Tennessee. Swaim only suited up in six games last season with Jacksonville, chipping in 13 catches for 65 yards, so he'll likely add a nice depth piece to the tight end room should injuries or illness occur during the season.

Vannett is in the concussion protocol Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Vannett will need to fully clear the league's concussion protocol before retaking the practice field. The Broncos are relying on him to provide a veteran presence in an otherwise extremely youthful tight end room.

Tonyan has been taking some reps with the Packers' starting offense in practice, Mike Spofford of the team's official site reports.

Most of the discussion surrounding the Green Bay tight ends this offseason has focused on 2019 third-round pick Jace Sternberger and rookie third-round pick Josiah Deguara, but Tonyan and 36-year-old blocking specialist Marcedes Lewis also appear to be right in the mix to earn playing time. Tonyan originally caught on with the Packers' practice squad as an undrafted rookie back in 2017, and he then caught 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns in 27 games the past two seasons, playing more snaps on special teams (326) than offense (260). The 26-year-old seems to have made a clean recovery from offseason surgery for a core-muscle injury, and he's now hoping to be a significant part of the Green Bay passing attack in 2020.

The Eagles are labeling Goedert as day to day with an upper-body injury, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Goedert, Miles Sanders and Boston Scott were all held out of Wednesday's practice, but there hasn't been any indication that any are in danger of missing Week 1. The Eagles will likley have Joshua Perkins join Zach Ertz in two-TE formations while Goedert is absent from practice.