NFL Player News

Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Andrews (undisclosed) is "going to be fine" and called his absence from practice "minor," Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Andrews was involved in a car accident last Wednesday, and though the standout tight end was reportedly uninjured, he hasn't practiced since. It's possible Andrews is simply dealing with soreness or something minor unrelated to last week's incident. In any case, there doesn't seem to be any concern about Andrews' status for Week 1. Baltimore's starters have rested throughout the preseason, meaning Andrews' final chance to log exhibition action will come Saturday on the road against Green Bay.

Mayer caught three of his four targets for 16 yards in Saturday's 27-12 preseason loss to the Cowboys.

As a rookie, Mayer -- whom the Raiders took in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft -- recorded a 27-304-2 line on 40 targets in 14 regular-season games. Following his initial campaign as a pro, it looked like the Notre Dame product would be in a position to see a significant uptick in volume in Year 2, but when the Raiders selected fellow tight end Brock Bowers 13th overall this April, that scenario became far less likely. That said, while playing alongside Bowers hampers Mayer's weekly fantasy upside, he could still merit attention in TE-friendly formats, with Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com noting that Las Vegas' Gardner Minshew-helmed offense figures to feature a lot of multiple tight end sets.

Sims caught one pass for 10 yards in Sunday's preseason game against the Broncos.

After being blanked in Green Bay's first exhibition contest, Sims made at least a minor mark in his next opportunity. He sits third on the depth chart at his position with one preseason game to go.

Bates caught both of his targets for 20 yards in Saturday's 13-6 preseason loss to Miami.

Both receptions came from QB Jayden Daniels, with Bates making the start and playing nearly all the first-team snaps for a second straight week. The fourth-year pro is unlikely to have an every-down role once the regular season begins, but it does seem Bates will start the year ahead of rookie second-round pick Ben Sinnott, serving as the blocking/inline tight end in a timeshare with Zach Ertz. It may not be long before Sinnott pushes for more snaps, however.

Knox (groin) played in Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh and caught his lone target for a nine-yard gain.

Knox and Dalton Kincaid both started, alongside RB James Cook and WRs Keon Coleman and Mack Hollins. Kincaid was removed from the game after two snaps, and Knox didn't stay in much longer (six snaps) before handing things over to No. 3 TE Quintin Morris, who then left with a shoulder injury. Groin and ankle injuries have cost Knox some practice time this summer, but he's been available more often than not.

Coach Jerod Mayo expects Henry (undisclosed) and the Patriots' other injured tight ends to be "ready to go relatively early in the season," Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Henry was held out of Thursday's preseason loss to the Eagles, while fellow tight ends Austin Hooper (undisclosed) and Mitchell Wilcox (calf) both played but now are dealing with injuries. Previous reports suggested Henry's issue isn't serious, but it isn't clear when he's expected to rejoin practice.

Long failed to bring in either of his two targets during Saturday's 13-9 victory against the Chargers.

The battle to start the season as the No. 2 tight end behind Colby Parkinson while Tyler Higbee (knee) remains on the mend, seems to be leaning toward Davis Allen. Long hasn't done anything to make himself stand out over the second-year pro, and Allen showed enough when called upon in the latter half of the 2023 campaign to secure a roster spot. Long will likely be the tertiary option at tight end to start the year unless he breaks out in a big way against the Texans in the Rams' preseason finale, and he will likely struggle to find snaps on offense even before Higbee's eventual return.

Allen secured two of four targets for 11 yards during Saturday's 13-9 victory against the Chargers.

The second-year tight end out of Clemson was used sparingly in the contest, as were all of the Rams' tight ends. Colby Parkinson notably did not take the field for the second straight game, meaning he'll likely be the starter during Tyler Higbee's (knee) absence. Allen and Hunter Long are in a competition to be No. 2 on the depth chart at the start of the season, but Long has failed to bring in a target through two preseason games. The duo's final chance to make their case will come against the Texans in a preseason Week 3 tilt.

Tonyan has not played this preseason and hasn't returned to practice after being sidelined July 31 with back spasms, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Tonyan had a shot to be a sleeper in the offense with T.J. Hockenson likely to miss games as he works his way back from an ACL injury. However, he's going to have a hard time making the roster with the injury and could end up being released or placed on injured reserve.

Muse had three receptions for 19 yards on three targets in Saturday's preseason win over Cleveland.

Muse appears set to win a roster spot with Robert Tonyan still out with a back injury. Muse could factor into the offense early in the season as a second or third receiving tight end if T.J. Hockenson misses games while working his way back from a torn ACL.