NFL Player News

Uzomah caught both of his targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's preseason loss to the Giants.

The Bengals opened in a two-TE formation with both Uzomah and Tyler Eifert on the field. It was the former who unexpectedly stood out in the passing game, gaining 28 yards on the very first snap before hauling in a 26-yard touchdown at the end of the opening quarter. Eifert is still the one with pass-catching upside, but Uzomah is far more durable and could get more snaps because of his competent blocking. The Bengals' sketchy situation at wide receiver could inspire heavy usage of tight ends in September.

Thomas couldn't haul in his lone target in Thursday night's 10-3 preseason loss to the Patriots.

Thomas overcame his minor rib injury suffered in Carolina's exhibition opener to feature for 31 snaps, which tied for the team lead on offense. Although he didn't make any catches in that extended action, Thomas still figures to be an important piece for the Panthers, especially given fellow tight end Greg Olsen's recent track record of foot injuries.

Gesicki caught all three of his targets for 59 total yards during Thursday's 22-7 win over the Jaguars.

Gesicki made the most of his opportunities Thursday, kickstarting the Miami offense with a 28-yard catch-and-run to set up the first of two second-quarter field goals and then slipping behind his defender for a 29-yard catch downfield on the way to Miami's touchdown drive to open the second half. The Dolphins are not short on potential at receiver, but Gesicki offers some unique athleticism at tight end and should play an intriguing role no matter who is throwing him passes. Offensive coordinator Chad O'Shea, who has spent the past decade in New England, probably has an idea or two on how to use a tight end of Gesicki's skill set.

Ertz caught his lone target for 13 yards in Thursday's 26-15 preseason loss to the Ravens.

Starting quarterback Carson Wentz got the night off, but Ertz suited up and hauled in a pass from Cody Kessler on the opening drive. The star tight end will sit out Week 4 of preseason to get ready for a Week 1 home tilt against the Redskins.

Engram caught his lone target for nine yards in Thursday's 25-23 preseason win over the Bengals.

Engram got in his first and last action of the exhibition slate, as New York doesn't want to risk another injury to a pass-catching option with Golden Tate (suspension) already unavailable for four weeks and Sterling Shepard (thumb) still working his way back. The talented tight end will sit out Week 4 of the preseason before likely seeing all the volume he can handle once the games start to count.

Graham (finger) will join 33 Packers players on the sidelines for Thursday's preseason game against the Raiders.

Even if Graham's finger injury allowed him to play Thursday, the field conditions in Winnipeg resulted in head coach Matt LaFleur sitting the bulk of his starters. Marcedes Lewis and Jace Sternberger will also sit out, so Robert Tonya, Evan Baylis and Pharoah McKever should take the reps at tight end.

Engram appears on track to see some snaps in Thursday's preseason game against the Bengals, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Engram has yet to play this preseason, but he wasn't on the list of players reportedly not expected to play Thursday, so it looks as though the tight end is on track to see some tune-up action in the Giants' third preseason tilt.

Kittle (calf) returned to practice Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

It looked like Kittle might sit this one out, but he's back on the field after missing some time with calf tightness. For his part, the tight end noted Thursday that he has no doubt he'll be ready for Week 1 action. On the heels of an 88-catch, 1,377-yard effort last season, Kittle profiles as a top-flight fantasy TE, in an elite tier that also includes Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz.

Kittle (calf) isn't expected to practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Initially deemed day-to-day with calf tightness, Kittle has been absent from practice for more than a week, also sitting out Monday's preseason win over the Broncos. There hasn't been any suggestion of his Week 1 availability being in danger, but he'll likely miss Saturday's exhibition matchup with the Rams.

Schultz (ankle) did not participate at practice Wednesday, the Cowboys' official site reports.

Schultz played 27 offensive snaps during the preseason opener but hasn't practiced in almost two weeks due to the ankle sprain. Codey McElroy (neck) and Blake Jarwin (ankle) are also managing injuries, leaving the Cowboys short on tight end depth.