NFL Player News

Strange did not play in the Jaguars' 34-17 preseason loss to the Panthers on Friday.

Both Strange and rookie second-rounder Nate Boerkircher observed Friday's exhibition contest in street clothes, with Tanner Koziol, Quintin Morris, Hunter Long and Patrick Herbert each logging at least 13 offensive snaps. Strange is the top tight end on the depth chart, evidenced by the three-year, $48 million extension he signed with the Jaguars in June. He's coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which he caught 46 passes (on 60 targets) for 540 yards and three touchdowns across 12 regular-season games. Strange figures to play a key role in the Jaguars' passing attack this season alongside wide receivers Brian Thomas, Parker Washington (undisclosed) and Jakobi Meyers (hand).

Freiermuth played 10 snaps on offense but did not show up in the box score otherwise during the Steelers' 17-0 preseason loss to the Jets on Friday.

Freiermuth and Darnell Washington saw limited action in Friday's exhibition contest, with the former not seeing a target from Will Howard. Freiermuth is entering his sixth NFL season off the heels of a disappointing 2025 campaign, when he caught 41 passes (on 54 targets) for 486 yards and four touchdowns across 17 regular-season games, with his receptions and targets both being career lows. Freiermuth and Washington will provide quarterback Aaron Rodgers with big targets in the passing game, with both tight ends working in complement with wide receivers DK Metcalf (undisclosed) and Michael Pittman (hamstring).

Taylor caught his only target for 10 yards in Friday's 17-0 preseason win over the Steelers.

Taylor has been operating as the team's top tight end in training camp, as rookie first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) has been sidelined since the first week of August. Backup TE Jelani Woods capped the opening drive with a touchdown catch Friday, four plays after Taylor moved the chains with a 10-yard grab on third-and-9. Even once Sadiq gets healthy, Taylor's reliability as both a pass catcher and blocker should allow the 2025 second-round pick to maintain a sizable role.

Curtis (knee) is out for the remainder of Friday's preseason contest at Pittsburgh.

The severity of the injury is unknown at this point, but it will at least keep Curtis off the field for the rest of the game. In his absence, fellow undrafted rookie free-agent tight end Connor Hulstein may see an uptick in snaps.

Tonges did not record any stats in Thursday's 41-17 preseason win against the Chargers.

Tonges only played 18 snaps during Thursday's contest, and the ball was never thrown his way. He currently projects to start at tight end for the 49ers come Week 1 in the event that two-time All-Pro George Kittle (Achilles) is not available. However, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Kittle still has a real chance to suit up in that Week 1 matchup in Australia against the Rams, a development that would leave Tonges with a significantly smaller role.

Mayer did not play in Thursday's 22-20 preseason loss to the Texans.

Mayer has fully recovered from the nose injury that plagued him in early August, but the tight end remained sidelined during Thursday's contest. The 2023 second-rounder joined fellow tight end Brock Bowers on the sideline Thursday, and it appears unlikely he will play any more snaps until the regular season commences.

The Colts signed Galbreath to a contract Friday.

Galbreath was waived by the Steelers in early August. The tight end was likely brought in to bolster competition within the corps and provide depth for the preseason due to the absence of Tyler Warren (groin). Galbreath is a second-year player out of South Dakota who has not yet participated in an NFL regular-season game.

Waller won't play in Friday's preseason contest at Jacksonville, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Waller officially signed with the Panthers on Monday, at which time coach Dave Canales told Mike Kaye of ESPN.com that the tight end wasn't likely to practice fully at Wednesday's joint session with the Jaguars. Carolina thus is easing the 33-year-old into the mix with his new squad, but once Waller is up to speed he'll join Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans and Ja'Tavion Sanders as the players at the position available to QB Bryce Young.

Klein caught three of four targets for 31 yards in Thursday night's 22-20 preseason loss to the Raiders.

Klein's second career preseason game was similar to his first, as the tight end accumulated exactly 31 receiving yards again. The second-round rookie was targeted three more times than against the Chargers, catching two more passes. Klein logged 31 total snaps, playing 33 percent of the Texans' offensive snaps as well as 35 percent of the special-teams volume as a blocker.

The Rams have expanded Ferguson's route tree this summer now that he's more comfortable with the playbook in his second season, Nate Atkins of The Athletic reports.

Ferguson has been one of the biggest playmakers at Rams camp, and with Puka Nacua dealing with a groin injury that has forced him to miss multiple practices, Ferguson is getting more reps and targets with Matthew Stafford. After being used as a part-time field-stretcher at tight end as a rookie, Ferguson has seen reps out wide, in the slot and attached to the line during training camp. With little experienced pass-catching depth behind Nacua and Davante Adams, the Rams are looking for a third piece in the passing offense, and Ferguson appears to be running with the opportunity. He's gaining steam in fantasy football as a late-round option.