NFL Player News

Kittle and the 49ers have reached agreement on a five-year, $75 million extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Kittle reported for the start of training camp with confidence his agent would work out a deal. This easily sets the record for a tight end contract, but it doesn't come close to the top of the market for wide receivers, which would've been a reasonable goal for a player who is known for his strong blocking and also is coming off back-to-back seasons with more than 75 receiving yards per game. In fantasy terms, Kittle remains locked in as a top-two tight end, perhaps ready to challenge Travis Kelce for the No. 1 spot. The 26-year-old could even see extra targets early in the season while Deebo Samuel (foot) works his way back from June surgery.

Bell could line up at H-back at times this season, Rob Phillips of DallasCowboys.com reports.

With Jamize Olawale having opted out of the season, the Cowboys don't have an experienced fullback on the roster, but new head coach Mike McCarthy suggested he could use a blocking tight end in the backfield instead. "The fullback position and tight end position is something that I've always kind of lumped together when you're building your schematic menu [of the roster]," McCarthy said. "Because that's the adjustment you have to make in game weeks, so that's no different than our thinking right now as far as we're into training camp. The ability to play multiple positions, both at the fullback and tight end position, will give us what we need schematically." Bell does have backfield experience which could come in handy in that scenario -- he was an option quarterback in college before converting to tight end in the pros -- but he's still unlikely to get enough touches to have fantasy value, having caught no more than eight passes in any of the last four seasons.

Miami has been awarded Wieting off waivers.

Wieting signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in April. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end was primarily used as a run blocker during his collegiate career at Iowa. He figures to have an uphill climb in terms of making the Dolphins' final roster, but he will now look to make an impression at camp.

Engram is ready for training camp after a "very strong and very aggressive rehab" from surgery to repair a Lisfranc sprain in his left foot, Matt Lombardo of The Newark Star-Ledger reports. "Each and every day I was just trying to find ways to get better," Engram said Monday.

Engram has been saddled with injuries during his three-year career, with 2019 serving as the low point. Appearing in just eight games, he still managed to tally 44 catches (on 68 targets) for 467 yards and three touchdowns. Following his December surgery, Engram progressed to on-field work at full speed by June and seemingly is set to participate in practice later this week.

The Browns waived Wieting on Sunday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The cut of Wieting is the corresponding move for the signing of guard Michael Dunn, who joins the Browns after three different guards decided to opt out of the season. Wieting, an undrafted rookie, will seek a chance with another organization.

The Washington Football Team activated Thomas (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday.

When Thomas signed on the dotted line back in March, he joined a team devoid of depth at tight end, with Jordan Reed moving on after frequent concussions and Vernon Davis opting to retire. Aside from Thomas, the group currently includes Jeremy Sprinkle, Richard Rodgers and undrafted rookie Thaddeus Moss (foot), among others. That said, Thomas' start to camp was delayed due to his stay on the COVID list. Now cleared for action, he's coming off a 2019 campaign with the Lions in which he posted a 16-173-1 line on 28 targets.

Brown (foot) was removed from the active/PUP list Saturday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Brown's stay on the PUP list lasted just over one week as the reserve tight end passed his physical. The 26-year-old will need to string together an impressive training camp in order to earn a roster spot, particularly with Austin Hooper, David Njoku and Harrison Bryant locked in atop the positional group.

Hockenson was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

This means Hockenson cleared multiple physicals as well as tests in order to be reinstated from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Hockenson, Kenny Golladay and a number of other Lions have been removed from the list in recent days, setting the stage for each player to return to practice.

The Raiders waived Butler on Monday.

Butler spent the offseason bouncing on and off Las Vegas' roster, but he ultimately wasn't able to garner a depth role in the team's crowded tight end corps. The 27-year-old still has yet to see regular-season action in his career.

The Seahawks placed Parkinson (foot) on the active/non-football injury list Monday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Parkinson is recovering from a broken fifth metatarsal in his foot suffered back in June. The rookie fourth-round pick will integrate himself into a crowded tight end room when healthy, so the Seahawks could feel comfortable enough to take a cautious approach with his recovery.