NFL Player News

Although Eagles tight end James Casey hardly played on offense Week 1 at Washington, Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said Monday, "James Casey is going to make a large contribution for us." However, Shurmur added Casey will play more in some games than others.

Eagles tight end James Casey, who was a key offseason signing, appeared in just two offensive plays Week 1 against the Redskins -- both coming at the end of the game as Philadelphia took a knee to secure a 33-27 win.

"Of course, I’m disappointed," Casey said Tuesday, per CSN Philadelphia. "I’m not content just sitting on the sidelines, for sure. I’m not happy sitting on the sidelines, knowing you want to be out on the field, but I’m just going to keep working, keep preparing, keep practicing hard, showing the coaches what I can do and hopefully if they put me out there I’ll be ready to perform."

Eagles coach Chip Kelly explained why Casey, who missed time during the preseason due to injuries, wasn't used heavily Monday.

"A lot of times (personnel package) dictates what they do. If we're 11, they have more DBs in the game," Kelly said "That was our thought process. That was it. It has nothing to do with James' ability, what we're happy with him, not happy with him. Sometimes we're going to feature three tight ends prominently, and other times we're going to be a little bit more spread. [Monday] night, we were a little bit more spread."

Patriots tight end Zach Sudfeld (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in practice for a second straight day Tuesday. The Patriots host the Jets Thursday (Week 2).

With Lions rookie Joseph Fauria catching three passes for 27 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 -- while fellow tight ends Brandon Pettigrew (two passes for six yards and a fumble) and Tony Scheffler (one target, no receptions) didn't do much -- there appears to be possible value in deeper leagues with Fauria. 

It's not exactly the same level as Kyle Rudolph in 2012, but Fauria could have value as a red zone target, and then get a handful of receiving points in an offense that loves to pass. While attention at the goal line may be paid to Joique Bell, Calvin Johnson, and Reggie Bush, Fauria looks like a candidate to sneak into the end zone, turn, and catch some valuable touchdown passes. 

There isn't enough potential here to add Fauria in 12-team standard leagues, but for those playing in deeper or dynasty formats, Fauria could be a sneaky add for bench depth. 

There's good news and bad news with Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew as he enters his Week 2 matchup agianst the Cardinals. 

The good: Arizona allowed 141 yards and two touchdowns (and almost a third TD if not for the fleet-footedness of Tyrann Mathieu) to Rams tight end Jared Cook in Week 1. Along with Lance Kendicks' 25 yards, the Cardinals gave up 166 yards on 10 receptions (off 14 targets) to tight ends this past Sunday. 

The bad: Pettigrew caught two passes for six yards in Detroit's win over the Vikings, while losing a fumble. He was overshadowed in the game by Joseph Fauria, who caught three passes for 27 yards and a touchdown. This comes on the heels of a 2012 campaign in which Pettigrew managed 567 receiving yards and three touchdowns while finishing third among tight ends in dropped passes. 

Fauria's emergence doesn't exactly signal a changing of the guard -- Pettigrew is still just 28 years old and put up two 700-yard seasons playing alongside Tony Scheffler in the past -- but with Pettigrew being praised for his blocking skills and Fauria looking solid in a pass-catching role, it would probably be wise to seek other options for Week 2. 

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew is not doing a good job endearing himself to Detroit fans. After ranking third in the NFL among tight ends in dropped passes last season, Pettigrew had an abysmal performance in Sunday's opener against the Vikings, totaling two catches for 6 yards and losing a fumble.

Despite his struggles, coach Jim Schwartz is coming to Pettigrew's defense.

"He has worked really hard at ball security," Schwartz said Monday, per MLive.com. "The one he fumbled on the screen, he's making a cut back and he has two offensive lineman out in front of him and both of them go after the same guy. You can see his eyes on the play, he looks inside and he figured that guy is out of the equation."

Although third-string tight end Joseph Fauria outperformed Pettigrew Sunday, Pettigrew remains the team's best blocker at tight end, which will likely keep him in the starting lineup.

"I thought Pettigrew blocked very well in this game," Schwartz said. "Particularly some of the behind the ball stuff that we do with him. The way the coverage was. Particularly early in the game."

Lions tight end Joseph Fauria played just 11 snaps in his NFL debut Sunday against the Vikings, but they were a productive 11 snaps, as he totaled three catches for 27 yards and one touchdown. His performance pushed coach Jim Schwartz to say Fauria, who is third on the depth chart behind Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler, is making a bid for more playing time.

"(Fauria) made very good use of the time he was in," Schwartz said, per MLive.com. "Scored the touchdown, which was a difference-maker. A two-score game is a lot different than a one-score game. ... His making the catch on the fade made it the 10-point game at that point and was going to make it very difficult for the Vikings to get back in it. The greatest reward is opportunity to do more. If he can continue to show that stuff, show up for practice and deliver in games, I think there's going to be good opportunities for him."

Jaguars coach Gus Bradley was noncommittal Monday about the expected return of tight end Marcedes Lewis, who missed Week 1 with a calf injury. His status for Week 2 at Oakland is to be determined.

"Marcedes Lewis is doing better," Bradley said, per The Florida Times-Union. "It's too early to say a status for this week, but we'll see how he does the next few days. We may have a chance to get him back."

Texans tight end Garrett Graham capitalized on his five targets Monday, catching four passes for 27 yards and a touchdown. Graham, who had three scores last season, gives Houston one of the best tight end combos in the league with starter Owen Daniels.

Graham plays the Titans at home in Week 2.

Eagles rookie tight end Zach Ertz played in his first regular-season game Week 1 on Monday night in Washington. Ertz was a winner in his debut as he made his first NFL reception. 

Ertz's catch went for 11 yards from quarterback Michael Vick. He saw three targets in the game behind starter Brent Celek. Celek finished with two catches for 56 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown. 

The Eagles should continue to work Ertz more and more into the offense beginning Week 2 at home against the San Diego Chargers.