NFL Player News

Free agent tight end Garrett Graham described his contract talks with the Texans as "slow," reports ESPN.com. Graham stepped in for the injured Owen Daniels last season and caught 49 passes for 545 yards and five touchdowns.

Houston released Daniels, leaving Ryan Griffin as the top tight end on the roster.

The Texans' release of Owen Daniels means the team "must be re-signing" free agent tight end Garrett Graham, reports the Houston Chronicle. Graham stepped in for the injured Daniels last season and caught five touchdown passes.

The Lions are still having contract talks with tight end Brandon Pettigrew but are not expected to strike a deal before 4 p.m. ET when the free agent market opens, reports the Detroit Free Press.

New Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith has made it clear he wants to upgrade at tight end. An ESPN.com says the plan could entail targeting free agent Garrett Graham, who caught 49 passes for 545 yards and five touchdowns with the Texans last season.

The Packers also reportedly are interested in Graham.

Free agent tight end Brandon Pettigrew is a "viable option" for the Giants, reports the New York Daily News. The team is looking for a tight end who's a capable receiver and powerful blocker, and also is interested in Andrew Quarless, the report said.

Pettigrew caught 41 passes for 416 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games with the Lions last year.

The Panthers re-signed tight end/fullback Richie Brockel to a two-year contract and guard Garry Williams to a one-year deal.

The agent for free agent tight end Andrew Quarless said he's had discussions with eight teams since the negotiating period opened Saturday, reports ESPN.com. Among those are the Packers, who promoted Quarless to starter last season after Jermichael Finley suffered a neck injury.

Quarless finished with 32 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns.

Saints stud tight end Jimmy Graham has tweeted that he is "shocked and disappointed on everything" his team has done in the offseason.

Graham was apparently not only referring to the non-exclusive franchise tag he received, but also the release of several veterans in an attempt to create cap space. Among them are running back Darren Sproles and wide receiver Lance Moore.

The story could take another twist, however, if those financial moves were made to allow the Saints to offer him a long-term contract.

The Packers and Andrew Quarless' representatives are discussing a new contract just before the start of free agency this weekend. The team is unsure where Jermichael Finley is in his recovery from neck fusion surgery and might bring Quarless back as part of a backup plan. 

Quarless, who might also draw some attention from the Giants -- home of former Packers assistant Ben McAdoo -- caught 32 passes for 312 yards and two scores last season. 

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told SiriusXM NFL Radio he's still hopeful about signing tight end Jimmy Graham to a long-term deal. The team slapped the franchise tag on Graham, who has yet to sign the tender.

“These negotiations are always a process, and Jimmy's been a great player for us for the last four years,” Loomis said. “Look, I had hoped and I'm sure he had hoped we'd come to some conclusion on a longer-term deal before this. But we haven't yet, and hopefully we will. ... We'll just let it play out, and I'm sure we'll get something resolved.”