NFL Player News

Several members of the Rams organization have suggested that Ferguson will have a big 2026 season, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The Oregon product had a quiet rookie campaign in 2025, catching 11 of 25 targets for 231 yards and three touchdowns over 14 regular-season games, but veteran tight end Tyler Higbee said he believes Ferguson is "going to be a great player." With that said, Ferguson could face plenty of competition for snaps during the coming campaign, as the Rams have a crowded tight-end room that includes Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and second-round rookie Max Klare.

Pitts and the Falcons agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year, $54 million contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Atlanta extended Pitts a franchise tender earlier this offseason, but both sides have agreed to terms on a multi-year deal that includes $36 million fully guaranteed. Per Schefter, Pitts' annual average salary makes him the third-highest paid tight end in the league behind George Kittle (Achilles) and Trey McBride. The Falcons also signed Drake London (undisclosed) to a massive four-year contract in early June, while Bijan Robinson remains a candidate for a new deal after the team exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Pitts produced an 88-928-5 line (118 targets) in 17 regular-season games last year and will look to build chemistry with quarterbacks Michael Penix (ACL) and Tua Tagovailoa this offseason.

Kittle (Achilles) said Tuesday that he feels "definitely on track" for Week 1 though "nothing is 100 percent certain," David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.

Kittle hedged his answer, saying he "has a chance" to be ready for the start of the regular season, but the veteran tight end has been open about the fact that he's targeting a Week 1 return, as have head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch. Per Florito Maniego of NBC Sports Bay Area, Kittle said Monday that he's already resumed running and has been clocked at over 16 miles an hour, which is a notable step in his recovery an Achilles' tear initially suffered Jan. 11. Throughout spring practices and mandatory minicamp, Kittle worked on the side and with trainers, but it's possible he could be ready to ramp up his activity level during training camp in July.

Fannin (undisclosed) didn't walk with a limp or have any injury wrapped while watching spring practices from the sidelines, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Fannin participated in a voluntary minicamp back in April, but he didn't do any on-field work throughout May or June. Neither player nor team has commented on the situation, leaving reporters to speculate on a timeline and possible injury, with the leading theory being that Fannin is still recovering from the groin injury he suffered last December. Cabot did suggest that Fannin should be ready "at some point during training camp."

Strange and the Jaguars have engaged in preliminary discussions about a contract extension, Michael DiRocco of ESPN reports.

Strange has reportedly spent spring practices lining up in multiple roles and could be headed for an expanded role on offense in Year 2 in head coach Liam Coen's system, per Garry Smits of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union. On a per-game basis, the 2023 second-round pick enjoyed the most productive season of his career in 2025, totaling a 46-540-3 receiving line in just 12 regular-season appearances. Jacksonville is projected to deploy more multi-TE formations in 2026, with Strange being joined by rookies Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol. Currently, Strange is heading into the final year of his rookie deal with the team.

Koziol has been a standout during the early portion of the Jaguars' offseason program, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Koziol, a rookie fifth-round pick, has generated more buzz during spring practices than second-rounder Nate Boerkircher. Tight ends coach Richard Angulo described Koziol as being "a little bit more polished as a pass catcher" and mentioned the rookie's "ball skills and his size and range," at 6-foot-6, 247 pounds. Brenton Strange remains entrenched as Jacksonville's No. 1 tight end, and Boerkircher's blocking ability may give him an edge for the No. 2 role, but Koziol is making an early case for opportunities in Liam Coen's offense, which -- per Garry Smits of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union -- is expected to feature more multi-TE looks in 2026.

Koziol has been a standout during the early portion of the Jaguars' offseason program, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Koziol, a rookie fifth-round pick, has generated more buzz during spring practices than second-rounder Nate Boerkircher. Tight ends coach Richard Angulo described Koziol as being "a little bit more polished as a pass catcher" and mentioned the rookie's "ball skills and his size and range," at 6-foot-6, 247 pounds. Brenton Strange remains entrenched as Jacksonville's No. 1 tight end, and Boerkircher's blocking ability may give him an edge for the No. 2 role, but Koziol is making an early case for opportunities in Liam Coen's offense, which per Garry Smits of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union is expected to feature more multi-TE looks in 2026.

In his second year as a pro, Warren is a candidate to see his role in the Colts offense continue to grow, according to Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis.

As a rookie, the 2025 first-rounder turned a team-high 112 targets into a 76/817/4 receiving line in 17 regular-season contests. As the coming campaign approaches, Warren, as well as WRs Alec Pierce and Josh Downs could see added pass-catching opportunities, with WR Michael Pittman -- who logged 111 targets last season -- having been traded to Pittsburgh. To that end, coach Shane Steichen notes that the second-year TE has been "working on his body and just getting into great physical shape, and coming in and out of breaks...he's made some good plays out here in practice in seven-on-seven, some team situations. So, looking for the next steps in his development.'' In terms of current average draft position, Trey McBride and Brock Bowers lead the way among tight ends, but Warren figures to fall into the next tier of quality fantasy options at the position once the top duo is off the board.

Pline (upper body) signed with the Chiefs on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pline was sidelined for all of the 2025 season due to an upper body injury, but his signing with the Chiefs on Wednesday suggests he's moved past the issue. The Furman product has yet to appear in an NFL game after catching 32 passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns across 11 games during his final collegiate season in 2023.

Coach Dan Campbell said that LaPorta (back), who was a partial participant in Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice, could be cleared for the start of training camp next month, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. "We like where he's going," Campbell said of the tight end Tuesday. "He's trending the right way."

LaPorta, who underwent surgery this past November to address a herniated disc in his back, hasn't taken part in full-speed team drills this spring. However, the tight end did work with the Lions' first-team offense during the 25-minute jog-through portion of Tuesday's session before working off to the side with a trainer during seven-on-seven and position drills. As LaPorta progresses toward working fully coming training camp, Birkett adds that the 2023 second-rounder is expected to sign a contract extension with Detroit at some point this summer. Prior to his injury, LaPorta recorded a 40/489/3 receiving line (on 49 targets) in nine regular-season contests in 2025.