NFL Player News

The Rams elevated Kalinic from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Kalinic joined the Rams' practice squad after he was unable to make the 53-man roster at the conclusion of training camp. With Davis Allen (back) ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona, Kalinic is set to serve as the No.3 tight end behind Colby Parkinson and Hunter Long.

The Cowboys elevated Fant from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Saints.

Fant will bump up from the practice squad Week 2 due to Jake Ferguson (MCL) being listed as doubtful and No. 4 tight end John Stephens (hamstring) already ruled out. Across two regular-season appearances with Dallas in 2023, Fant contributed exclusively on special teams.

The Panthers elevated Franks from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, ahead of Sunday's matchup against Los Angeles.

Franks was cut by Carolina on Monday before being re-signed to the practice squad, and he'll now suit up for the team Week 2. With Tommy Tremble (hamstring) listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, the Panthers were in need of additional depth at the tight end position.

The Browns elevated Whiteheart from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, in preparation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Brad Stainbrook of 247Sports.com reports.

Whiteheart figures to play an important depth role in the Browns' tight end rotation Sunday, with David Njoku (ankle) out and Jordan Akins the only other healthy player at the position on the 53-man roster. Whiteheart appeared in two games with the Cardinals last season but didn't record an offensive stat.

Allen (back) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Cardinals, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Allen was originally deemed doubtful on Friday's final injury report, but his status was subsequently downgraded to out. The tight end is dealing with a back injury that kept him out of practice entirely throughout the week. Allen's upcoming absence Sunday will likely move Hunter Long into the Rams' No. 2 tight-end role behind Colby Parkinson.

Spann-Ford is on track to back up Luke Schoonmaker in Week 2 versus the Saints, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

With Jake Ferguson (knee) doubtful, Spann-Ford is on track to back up Schoonmaker at tight end. Spann-Ford was on the field for 18 offensive snaps in Week 1 but didn't receive any targets. Given his move up the depth chart, he could potentially see a little more action against New Orleans.

Brown (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Brown is now in line to miss his second consecutive game in Week 2 as he recovers from the foot injury he sustained in mid-August. Expect AJ Barner to continue serving as Seattle's No. 2 tight end until Brown has recovered enough to make his Seahawks debut.

Allen (back) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's contest against the Cardinals, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Allen was held out of practice all week due to a back issue, so it's no surprise that he likely won't be suiting up in Week 2. If the Clemson product misses Sunday's contest as expected, Hunter Long will likely serve as the Rams' No. 2 tight end behind Colby Parkinson.

Schoonmaker is in line to be the Cowboys' No. 1 tight end Sunday against the Saints with Jake Ferguson (knee) doubtful to play, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

A 2023 second-round pick, Schoonmaker has yet to miss a game in his brief NFL career, but he also has just eight catches (on 15 targets) for 65 yards and two touchdowns in 18 regular-season contests. As such, he won't hold as much sway as Ferguson for as long as the latter is sidelined due to an MCL sprain, but the increased opportunity for Schoonmaker should result in more regular looks from quarterback Dak Prescott. The other options to fill in at the position are Brevyn Spann-Ford and practice-squad member Princeton Fant.

Schultz (ankle) was a full participant in practice Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Schultz sat out a pair of practices Wednesday and Thursday, but it looks like those absences were mostly for maintenance, as he will again be able to play through the ankle injury he suffered early in the 29-22 Week 1 win over the Colts. He stayed in that game after initially sustaining the injury. Schultz's fantasy managers can deploy him as usual when the Texans host the Bears for Sunday Night Football.