NFL Player News

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen was listed among the team's inactives for the third preseason game Saturday at home against the Cleveland Browns. Allen continues to miss time in the preseason, despite returning to full practice this week. He has been out with a foot injury.  

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew provided a solid target for Matthew Stafford as always in Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots.

Pettigrew was not a big-play threat, finishing with three receptions for 29 yards, with a long catch of 12 yards. He was targeted four times in the game.

With just one game left in the preseason, Pettigrew is unlikely to play much in next week's preseason finale against the Bills in Buffalo. He has six catches for 49 yards in the preseason. 

Patriots tight end Zach Sudfeld continued to show solid pass-catching skills Thursday against the Lions, but his inability to hold on to the ball proved costly.

Sudfeld finished with three receptions for 36 yards, finishing third on the team in each category. He had a long reception of 20 yards, but fumbled at the end of the catch, costing the Patriots possession.

Sudfeld could end up being a regular contributor in the offense, especially if Rob Gronkowski has to miss time while recovering from surgery. Sudfeld has six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games.  

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen returned to a full practice Tuesday, a day earlier than expected. Allen is apparently over his foot injury. 

Patriots rookie Zach Sudfeld has caught on so quickly to what the team is looking for that he could end up being a regular player for them. 

Because his blocking has improved and his skills as a receiver, particularly in the red zone, are effective, Sudfeld might dominate reps, per the Boston Herald. That could even be the case once Rob Gronkowski comes back from his surgeries. 

Here's the skinny on Sudfeld: He's a 6-foot-7, 250-pound matchup nightmare who was a solid all-around athlete at Nevada but missed nearly two full seasons because of injuries. In fact, according to NFLDraftScout.com/CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler, Sudfeld had six surgeries in his first five years at school (he was there six years) including work on his shoulder, leg, knee and wrist. 

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, who shed his walking boot last week, could return from his foot injury to a limited practice Wednesday, reports the Terre-Haute Tribune-Star. Allen is on track to play in the regular-season opener.

Fellow tight end Coby Fleener, who suffered a mild ankle sprain Sunday against the Giants, should return to practice Thursday or Friday, according to coach Chuck Pagano.

Jaguars starting tight end Marcedes Lewis is sidelined from the preseason game Saturday night against the Jets with tightness in his calf. Backup Allen Reisner took advantage of his opportunity by snagging a 5-yard touchdown pass from Blaine Gabbert to tie the game at 7-7 on the last play of the first quarter.

Patriots tight end Zach Sudfeld continued to look like the team's top player at his position not named Rob Gronkowski during the preseason win over the Buccaneers Friday.

Sudfeld caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Mallett in the second quarter of the game to put New England up 18-7. Sudfeld, who was targeted four times in the game, finished with two catches for 32 yards and the TD. He had one catch for 22 yards in the preseason opener against Philadelphia.

Sudfeld could start Week 1 if Gronkowski is too injured to play.

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen has shed his walking boot and could play in the regular season opener against the Raiders, according to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star The Colts are getting healthier at that position. Coby Fleener returned from a concussion on Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday against the Giants.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham said he's over his wrist injury from last year and claimed he and quarterback Drew Brees are in "mid-season form" and that he and his teammares are "more dynamic offensively than we've ever been."

In a chat with USA Today, Graham assures that he's healthy but admitted last year was tough on him. 

"Last year was very difficult playing all season with that much pain," said Graham, who won't reveal whether the wrist was broken. "But that's football. I'm going to be a man and play for this team no matter what."