NFL Player News

Shorter (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/injured list by the Raiders on Monday.

It's unclear what Shorter's injury is, but he'll have to reach an injury settlement with the Raiders to have a chance to play in 2026. A fifth-round pick of the Bills in 2023, he saw action in seven regular-season contests with Las Vegas last year, playing on five offensive snaps and 81 special-teams snaps. He has yet to record an NFL catch.

Lauter was waived by the Raiders on Saturday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Lauter joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent Thursday and was let go just two days later. He had a productive collegiate career at Boise State, so he could get another chance around the league.

Geers signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent Monday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Geers played his entire collegiate career with Minnesota and recorded a total of 58 receptions for 518 yards and nine touchdowns. He improved his blocking skills throughout college and is considered a reliable pass catcher, making it possible that he'll compete for a roster spot during training camp.

Njoku will visit the Chargers on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Njoku entered free agency after the Browns cut the veteran tight end in mid-March. He has yet to catch on with another team, but that could change following his visit with the Chargers. Oronde Gadsden emerged as the Chargers' top tight end last season and the team inked Charlie Kolar to a three-year deal in early March, but adding Njoku would give the Bolts another playmaking pass catcher that Justin Herbert could rely on in the passing game. Njoku has struggled with injuries over the past couple of seasons but has been productive when on the field. He finished the 2025 regular season with 33 catches (on 48 targets) for 293 yards and four touchdowns across 12 games.

Mason signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent Friday.

Mason is coming off a senior season with Wisconsin during which he caught 30 passes for 398 yards and four touchdowns. Prior to that, he spent his first three campaigns at Missouri State. Mason is 6-foot-3 with reliable hands, but he isn't particularly quick or agile. Seattle's tight-end corps is led by AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo, and Mason may be headed for a spot on the practice squad.

The Packers signed Maryland as an undrafted free agent Friday.

Maryland started 32 games over four years for SMU, breaking the school's record for receiving yards by a tight end (1,495) despite missing time in 2024 with an ACL injury. The 21-year-old is a young, versatile option with strong upside as a pass catcher who can benefit from mismatches. The Packers already have a deep tight-end room, but Maryland may provide strong replacement value if the injury bug that plagued the 2025 corps reoccurs.

Las Vegas signed Lauter as an undrafted free agent Thursday.

Lauter spent all four of his collegiate campaigns with Boise State and had his best season as a junior, when he caught 47 passes for 619 yards and seven touchdowns over 14 games. The 6-foot-4 tight end took a step back as a senior, however, recording just 330 yards and two TDs on 37 receptions across 13 contests. The Raiders have one of the NFL's best 1-2 combinations at tight end with Brock Bowers (knee) and Michael Mayer, so Lauter probably won't see much game-day action early in his career.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that Kittle (Achilles) is aiming to be ready for the 49ers' Week 1 game against the Rams, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.

This has been the sentiment all offseason after Kittle suffered a "clean" tear near the soleus muscle higher up on the Achilles in the 49ers' wild-card win over Philadelphia back in January, which typically results in a quicker rehab process. Working against Kittle, however, is his advanced age (32 years old) and just eight months between the injury and Week 1. The 49ers are surely going to be careful with Kittle and not rush him back just to have him at less than 100 percent for the first game of the 2026 season. Jake Tonges (foot) would be next in line at tight end if Kittle isn't ready to face Los Angeles in four months.

Seattle signed Bryant on Wednesday, Ari Horton of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The details of the deal are unknown at this point, but Bryant fits with the Seahawks' recent approach of seeking out hard-nosed tight ends. As for his competition, 2024 fourth-rounder AJ Barner, 2025 second-rounder Elijah Arroyo and veteran Eric Saubert are all likely to make Seattle's 53-man roster to start the 2026 season, but there's a decent chance the team keeps four tight ends, meaning one of Bryant or Nick Kallerup could potentially make the opening roster too.

The Eagles waived Bell on Tuesday, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Bell signed a reserve/future deal with the team in January but is headed to waivers. The 2024 seventh-round pick spent time with both Philadelphia's and Pittsburgh's practice squads during the 2025 campaign, and he will now look to catch on with a new team.