NFL Player News

Everett (shoulder) isn't listed on the Rams' Week 1 injury report Thursday, Myles Simmons of the team's official site reports.

Expected to challenge starter Tyler Higbee for reps at tight end this season, Everett instead spent the bulk of training camp and the entire preseason recovering from an unspecified shoulder injury. At one point, Everett was seen with a sling on his left arm during a practice session. With the season opener days away, he has reached 100 percent health -- or at least enough to avoid the injury report -- but the past month may have put a damper on his ability to produce early on.

The Achilles' issue that landed Gray on IR was the result of a non-contact injury, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Coach Adam Gase confirmed Thursday that Gray is out for the year, which sets the stage for rookie Mike Gesicki to carve out a significant role as a pass catcher in the Miami offense, while A.J. Derby should factor in on that front as well.

Gray was placed on injured reserve Thursday after suffering a torn Achilles' tendon in Wednesday's practice, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Dolphins had listed Gray as a limited participant in the session due to a foot injury, but Rapoport's clarification of the setback provides a better explanation for why the team elected to remove the 28-year-old from the 53-man roster. While the Dolphins haven't offered a projected timeline for Gray's recovery, injuries of this nature are almost always of the season-ending variety, so it's not expected that the team will reserve one of its two designated-to-return spots for him. With Gray out of commission, rookie Mike Gesicki could be thrown into the fire as the Dolphins' top pass-catching tight end in Sunday's season opener against the Titans.

With MarQueis Gray (Achilles) having landed on IR, Gesicki figures to see an expanded role out of the gate this season.

The No. 42 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft already had sleeper potential, but with Gray out of the mix, Gesicki, who excelled at the NFL Combine in March, appears poised to carve out a pass-catching role in the Miami offense. Though A.J. Derby was previously listed as the Dolphins' No. 2 tight end behind Gray, Gesicki's combo of athleticism and opportunity make him the upside play here. The only caveat is that the young tight end's blocking is a work in progress.

The Dolphins signed Escobar to a contract Thursday.

After failing to make much of an impression in the preseason, Escobar was trimmed from the 53-man roster Friday while the Dolphins kept four tight ends. He'll make his way back to Miami, however, after the team's projected starter at the position, MarQueis Gray, was limited at practice Wednesday with a foot injury that resulted in his placement on injured reserve Thursday. Mike Gesicki figures to get the first crack at the top pass-catching role at tight end while Gray is sidelined, so Escobar likely won't get an immediate chance for consistent snaps on offense unless the rookie falters early on.

The Dolphins placed Gray (foot) on injured reserve Thursday.

Though Gray was a limited participant in the Dolphins' first official practice of the regular season Wednesday, there was little indication that the injury was concerning enough to keep him sidelined for Week 1, much less result in a placement on IR. In any event, Gray's setback will leave the Dolphins without their projected season-opening starter at tight end, paving the way for rookie Mike Gesicki to see extended reps in his NFL debut. The Dolphins signed veteran Gavin Escobar in a corresponding move to boost their numbers at the position.

Kittle (shoulder) wasn't listed Wednesday on the 49ers' Week 1 injury report.

Kittle appeared to log every practice rep Monday, but Wednesday's session was accompanied by the first injury report of the regular season, confirming what was already assumed about the tight end's health. With his separated right shoulder in the rear-view mirror, Kittle can focus on holding down the fort at tight end for the 49ers in Week 1 and beyond.

James (back contusion) isn't listed on the Steelers' initial injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

With Vance McDonald (foot) having been sidelined for more than a month and before practicing Wednesday as a limited participant, James could be headed for an every-down role to open the season. There's little question the Steelers want McDonald to be a major part of their passing game, but they've quickly learned how difficult it is for him to stay healthy. James has been one of the least efficient tight ends in the NFL since he entered the league in 2015, averaging 8.5 yards per catch and 5.7 per target with seven touchdowns on 90 career receptions. Any thought of Week 1 upside hinges on his involvement in the red zone.

Hollister (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

A hamstring injury sidelined Hollister for the Patriots' final two preseason games of the summer, but the tight end appears to be trending in the right direction and seems to have decent odds of suiting up for Sunday's season opener against the Texans.

Gray (foot) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Gray, expected to serve as a backup to 2018 second-rounder Mike Gesicki, remains day-to-day with a foot injury. If the 28-year-old veteran is unable to suit up for the season-opener against the Titans on Sunday, Gesicki could see a larger snap count during his NFL debut.