NFL Player News

Head coach Anthony Lynn said Tuesday that Henry (knee) has looked healthy this offseason, and expects him to be a full-go for training camp, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Henry is now a year removed from undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn ACL. The tight end himself echoed his coach's sentiments earlier this offseason, acknowledging that his knee feels good throughout training. Targets have been a concern at the tight end position in Los Angeles, considering how heavily the team has relied upon Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen in recent years, but a healthy Henry could be a breakout fantasy candidate for 2019.

Thomas (leg) was limited to side work Tuesday at OTAs, Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

Despite bringing his helmet out to the field, Thomas still isn't ready to practice with teammates, nursing a leg injury that doesn't appear serious. The 2018 fourth-round pick will enter training camp second on the depth chart, but Greg Olsen's recent injury history suggests Thomas has a decent shot to make starts before the end of the season. He started six games as a rookie, averaging four catches for 37 yards on six targets (with one touchdown) in those contests.

Goedert said spring practices have been much easier in his second pro season, Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com reports. "I'm not thinking as much," Goedert said. "Just being able to kind of play free, having a year with the offense made it a lot easier going out there. Now I can just focus on things I want to get better at [rather] than learning the playbook."

Goedert made a strong case for a larger role with a 33-334-4 receiving line on 44 targets his rookie season, but it will be tough to find regular snaps for everyone in a pass-catching corps that also includes tight end Zach Ertz and wide receivers Alshon Jeffery (rib), DeSean Jackson, Nelson Agholor and JJ Arcega-Whiteside. The Eagles already upped their use of two-TE formations to accommodate Goedert last season, and they could be headed for another increase if he looks good throughout the spring and summer. Even if it doesn't lead to steady target volume early in the year, Goedert's efficient production from 2018 suggests he'd be a valuable fantasy commodity if Ertz were to miss time with an injury.

Searight (hamstring) agreed to an injury settlement Tuesday with the Buccaneers and is now a free agent.

Searight was waived/injured with the hamstring designation earlier in May and reverted to injured reserve after going unclaimed on waivers. The severity of his injury remains unclear, but Searight will be free to sign elsewhere if he can pass a physical.

Thomas worked out off the side during Wednesday's OTA session while recovering from a sore leg, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

The injury doesn't appear to be a serious one for the tight end, who was taking part in elliptical work and didn't require a brace or boot. With the season still months away, it's not surprising that the Panthers are taking a cautious approach with Thomas. The Indiana product caught 25 of 32 targets for 246 yards and two scores over the Panthers' final five games in 2018, but he'll have a tough time replicating those results with Greg Olsen (foot) back healthy again.

Ertz believes DeSean Jackson's presence will push safeties back and create more space to operate in the middle of the field, Paul Domowitch of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "Often times, the post safety will eye me up pre-snap a lot of times and know where I am," Ertz said. "If they do that now, DeSean's going to be able to run right past him if their focus is on me or Dallas [Goedert] or Alshon [Jeffery]."

While a repeat of last season's career-high 156 targets is unlikely, Ertz seems to be hinting at the potential for improvement on a career-low mark of 10.0 yards per catch. In addition to his excitement about playing with Jackson, the 28-year-old tight end mentioned that this past offseason was the best he's had in the NFL. He made a quick recovery from the nagging injures he dealt with late in the 2018 campaign, allowing him to reach some new personal bests in the weight room during the Eagles' offseason workout program. Ertz doesn't have any limitations for spring practices, nor does quarterback Carson Wentz (back).

Smith (knee) didn't practice Tuesday at the start of OTAs, Erik Bacharach of The Nashville Tennessean reports.

Smith was placed on injured reserve after suffering an MCL sprain Week 14 of last season. He may be dealing with an injury more severe than what was initially reported, as the typical recovery timeline for an MCL sprain would have seen him return to health before the start of the Titans' offseason program. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Delanie Walker (ankle) went through individual drills Tuesday and said afterward that he's back to about 85 percent strength. Smith likely will have to settle for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart once he's healthy.

Knox's teammate Tyler Kroft broke his foot during Monday's OTA session and will be sidelined for 3-to-4 months following surgery.

In addition to drafting Knox in the third round, the Bills signed Kroft and Lee Smith over the offseason to beef up what had been a lackluster tight end crew. Smith is more of a blocker, however, and Kroft now has a significant injury, meaning the rookie's about to get an opportunity right away. Kroft -- expected to be the clear-cut starter -- could still be ready for the regular season, but for now Knox and Jason Croom are the best healthy receiving options of this position group.

Kroft (foot) will be sidelined for 3-to-4 months following surgery, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Bills announced Tuesday that Kroft suffered another broken right foot during OTAs on Monday and that the injury requires surgery. With this timetable, Kroft will likely miss all of training camp and potentially the start of the regular season. Additionally, Kroft is now at risk of starting the season on the PUP list, but Buffalo has some time before that decision has to be made. Should Kroft have to miss any time, Lee Smith, who signed a three-year, $9 contract with the Bills just over a week ago would be in line to step in as the top option at tight end. Smith is more of a blocker, however, so more opportunities could open up for Jason Croom and rookie Dawson Knox.

Kroft suffered a broken foot during OTAs on Monday and will require surgery, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.

It's a tough break for Kroft and the Bills, as the 2015 third-round pick of the Bengals is (or was) expected be the team's top tight end this season after signing a three-year, $18.75 million contract back in March. This will also be the second straight year that Kroft has to undergo foot surgery, as he was placed on injured reserve in November of 2018 after undergoing a season-ending procedure on a fracture right foot. More on Kroft's recovery timetable should be released following surgery.