NFL Player News

Goedert (groin) doesn't appear on the Eagles' injury report ahead of Thursday's game against the Cowboys.

Goedert had been managing a groin issue, but the Eagles' top tight end is ready for Week 1 action along with starting wideouts DeVonta Smith (groin) and A.J. Brown (hamstring). The three combine to form the nucleus of Philadelphia's passing attack, while Saquon Barkley is set to reprise his role as the team's featured back. Goedert logged a 42-496-2 line on 52 targets in 10 regular-season contests last season and maintains his standing as the top option in a TE corps that also includes Grant Calcaterra and Kylen Granson.

Schoonmaker (concussion) isn't listed on Dallas' injury report for Monday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Schoonmaker landed in concussion protocol after leaving practice early Aug. 19, but it appears he's since been medically cleared. The third-year tight end is slated to work behind Jake Ferguson in the pecking order in 2025.

Likely (foot) didn't participate in Monday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Hensley previously noted that GM Eric DeCosta said that the Ravens expect Likely -- who suffered a small fracture in his foot in late July -- "back in the early part of the season." It remains to be seen whether a Week 1 return could be in play, but added context regarding Likely's status will be provided no later than Wednesday, when Baltimore's first official practice/injury report of the season is posted.

Otton (leg) is participating in Monday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Otton is likely practicing on a limited basis Monday, but that's nonetheless a step in the right direction after it was reported last week that his leg injury could threaten his Week 1 availability. He previously missed time during the preseason due to a separate hamstring issue. Wednesday's first official practice report of the week officially will disclose Otton's activity level as Sunday's regular-season opener on the road against Atlanta approaches.

The Browns signed Bates to their practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Bates couldn't earn a spot on Cleveland's final 53-man roster for 2025, but he'll stay with the club as a member of the practice squad. Over seven games with the Browns and the Jets in 2024, Bates played a total of just 41 offensive snaps.

Culp is in line to see increased target opportunities if No. 1 tight end Cade Otton (leg) is sidelined to open the regular season, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Head coach Todd Bowles previously remarked that Otton is expected "to be out a little bit," without further details. However, more information on a projected return timeline is expected during Week 1 practices next week, and Dix notes the Buccaneers will take a "committee approach" at tight end for any games Otton might be sidelined for. Considering No. 3 tight Ko Kieft has all of one reception since the beginning of the 2023 season, such a scenario would leave Culp and Payne Durham as the only legitimate pass-catching options at the position to open the season. That was the case during Weeks 16-18 last season when Otton sat out with a knee injury, a span in which Culp flashed some downfield chops while recording a 5-88-0 line on six targets. The second-year pro also generated three first downs on his five preseason receptions this summer, including on a 22-yard grab in the exhibition finale against the Bills on Saturday night.

Durham could see more pass-catching opportunities than usual to open the 2025 season due to Cade Otton potentially being sidelined with a leg injury, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.

While more clarity on a potential return timeline for Otton is expected during the official Week 1 practice week, Dix reports the Buccaneers are planning on taking a committee approach at the position if he is indeed forced to miss any regular-season action. That would afford Durham more targets, a scenario that also played out in Weeks 16-18 last season when Otton was sidelined due to a knee injury. Durham secured nine receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets in that span while sharing pass-catching responsibilities at the position with then-rookie Devin Culp, and that arrangement could well be replicated in the event of any Otton absences early this season.

The Giants signed Ismail to their practice squad Thursday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Ismail spent training camp with Las Vegas but didn't make the team's initial 53-man roster. He's subsequently getting a look from the Giants, who have a pretty full tight-end room consisting of Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz and Thomas Fidone. Ismail wasn't selected in the 2024 NFL Draft and spent last year on Baltimore's practice squad.

The Bears signed Kalinic to the practice squad Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Kalinic wasn't able to catch onto the Falcons' 53-man roster, and he'll head to Chicago to get an opportunity with the Bears as a member of their practice squad. He has played in nine regular-season games since entering the league in 2022 after a stint in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The Broncos signed Murtagh to their practice squad Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Denver received an international practice player exemption for Murtagh, who played Australian Rules Football before working with the Jaguars last season. He remains a bit light for NFL tight-end standards, so if he ever does contribute during the regular season, it will likely be in a pass-catching capacity.