NFL Player News

Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said Tuesday that Engram has "met or exceeded" expectations in camp so far, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Engram's versatility at the tight end position has caught the attention of the Denver coaching staff. "He can run. He can change direction. Willing blocker. He sticks his nose in there. Complete tight end. Guy that's been really showing up in camp," Lombardi said. The 30-year-old will enter his ninth season, and a change of scenery could provide a boost to his production. After a disappointing and injury-riddled 2024 campaign in Jacksonville, Engram will provide second-year quarterback Bo Nix with a significant upgrade at TE. The veteran's skills as a receiver and blocker should afford him extensive playing time in head coach Sean Payton's tight end-friendly system.

The Saints waived Green on Tuesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Green spent the last two seasons in the UFL with the Arlington Renegades and was given a chance to make an NFL roster with the Saints in mid-June. Green won't be a part of New Orleans' plans moving forward, but he will have the opportunity to explore his next options assuming he clears waivers.

Spann-Ford (ankle) was spotted without a walking boot during the Cowboys' joint training camp practice with the Rams on Tuesday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Spann-Ford injured his left ankle during training camp practice in late July and was expected to miss at least two weeks. He appears to be progressing in his recovery, and while he won't likely be available for Saturday's preseason opener against the Rams, he could be ready to suit up for the Cowboys' second exhibition game against the Ravens on Aug. 16. Spann-Ford appeared in all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with nine tackles (on 14 targets) for 88 yards. He's battling with Luke Schoonmaker and John Stephens for backup tight end duties behind Jake Ferguson.

The Saints claimed Pline off waivers from the 49ers on Tuesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Pline spent all of last season in San Francisco's organization but missed a chunk of the year on the practice squad injured list. He'll face an uphill climb for a roster spot in New Orleans.

Smith left Tuesday's practice due to knee soreness, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin indicated the issue doesn't seem serious, Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live reports.

Smith walked off the field with a trainer before the final period of Tuesday's practice. Not long after, Tomlin downplayed the injury when talking with reporters. Fellow tight end Darnell Washington should get more first-team reps alongside Pat Freiermuth if Smith ends up missing further time.

Smith left Tuesday's practice early with a trainer, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

It sounds like he'll miss the final period of practice but didn't have any trouble walking off the field. Smith and Pat Freiermuth give Aaron Rodgers an impressive duo of pass catchers at tight end, but it's a situation that might not work out well in terms of either player getting enough targets to offer much fantasy value.

Waller (undisclosed), who remains on the active/PUP list Tuesday, is expected to be ready for Week 1 per his agent Drew Rosenhaus, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said in late July that Waller's placement on the active/PUP list to begin training camp is a matter of getting back into "football shape," so it appears the veteran tight end's conditioning is coming along well after he spent the 2024 season away from football. Waller, who will turn 33 the day before Miami's Week 2 clash with New England, is missing valuable reps in a complicated offensive scheme while on the PUP list. Even if he's ready for Week 1, it's possible he'll need time to build up to a full starting workload.

Kraft (groin) is participating in Tuesday's practice, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Kraft missed practice Saturday due to a groin injury, but he appears to be back on the field without limitations. The 2023 third-round pick impressed in terms of YAC in 2024 while mostly garnering receptions close to the line of scrimmage, but heading into Year 3 there's been some buzz that Kraft could get more involved downfield, a development that would increase his odds of truly breaking out for fantasy purposes. Still, given Green Bay's crowded pass-catching corps, it could be a struggle for Kraft to command consistent targets on a weekly basis, especially if fellow tight end Luke Musgrave stays healthy.

Foelsch was waived by the Steelers on Tuesday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Foelsch signed with Pittsburgh last Tuesday, but he was cut to open up space for the signing of Daryl Porter. The 24-year-old Foelsch has bounced around five different teams since going undrafted in 2024 and will once again look for a new home.

Taylor has a high-ankle sprain, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Jets coach Aaron Glenn informed reporters of the diagnosis Tuesday, after Taylor missed a second straight practice. Glenn didn't comment on the severity of the sprain, only saying that the rookie will be out for at least a week, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. A severe high-ankle sprain would threaten Taylor's availability for the early part of the regular season, forcing the Jets to rely on the likes of Jeremy Ruckert and Stone Smartt at tight end. Reports from the first week of training camp had Taylor working with the first-team offense, seemingly already atop the depth chart not long after the team picked him 42nd overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.