NFL Player News

Likely could emerge as the second option in the Giants' passing game behind Malik Nabers (knee), according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com.

Likely signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Giants in March and has subsequently formed a strong connection with QB Jaxson Dart on and off the field. The 26-year-old tight end also has familiarity with head coach John Harbaugh from their time together in Baltimore, where Likely played from 2022 to 2025. Likely was overshadowed by Mark Andrews on the Ravens, but the former has a clear path to a larger role in New York, where Likely will be competing for targets with fellow TE Theo Johnson (shoulder), as well as a WR room that includes Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields and Odell Beckham behind Nabers.

The Buccaneers cut Culp from the practice squad Wednesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The Buccaneers waived Culp on Sunday, and after the tight end cleared waivers Monday, he joined the team's practice squad before ultimately being cut Wednesday. Culp was cut from the practice squad to make room for cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who won the Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in the 2020 season.

The 49ers signed Dinkins to the practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

The 49ers waived Dinkins during Sunday's cutdown day. The tight end cleared waivers and has rejoined the 49ers, who signed him to a three-year contract Aug. 22. Dinkins has a good chance to be elevated to the active roster if George Kittle (Achilles), Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell or Brayden Willis (concussion) misses time due to injury.

The Steelers signed McRee to the practice squad Monday.

The Steelers waived McRee during Sunday's cutdown day. The undrafted free agent out of USC played well enough throughout training camp to receive an invitation to the team's practice squad. McRee participated in all three preseason games, catching five of his nine targets for 60 yards and a touchdown.

The Saints signed Smartt to the practice squad Tuesday.

The Eagles released Smartt on Saturday. The tight end will provide additional depth to the tight ends on the 53-man roster. If rookie third-rounder Oscar Delp (hamstring) is held out of the Saints' Week 1 matchup against the Lions, Smartt could be elevated to the active roster immediately.

The Patriots signed Zylstra to the practice squad Wednesday.

The Bills cut Zylstra last Saturday. The tight end now joins up with the team's main divisional rival in the race for the AFC East title. The 29-year-old has played in 35 career regular-season games with the Lions, catching 18 balls for 136 yards and four touchdowns.

Ferguson did not play in any of the Cowboys' three preseason games.

Ferguson, George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott were all sidelined for the entire preseason, ensuring that they will all be available for Week 1 against the Giants on Sunday, Sept. 13. Ferguson is coming offf a career year, finishing the 2025 regular season with 82 catches (on 102 targets) for 600 yards and eight touchdowns across 17 games. Even with Lamb and Pickens both commanding 100-plus targets last year, Ferguson's reliability in the passing game has made him a go-to option for Prescott in the passing game. Ferguson will operate as the Cowboys' top pass-catching tight end this season, with Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker providing depth at the position.

Dulcich did not record a target across his two preseason games.

Dulcich played a total of 15 offensive snaps across those two games before sitting for the Dolphins' preseason finale against the Falcons on Friday. Entering his sixth NFL season, the UCLA product has an opportunity to be a featured part in the Dolphins' offense due to the lack of notable skill position players outside of running back De'Von Achane. The veteran tight end also demonstrated a strong rapport with quarterback Malik Willis in training camp, setting up Dulcich to be a go-to target in the passing game for the upcoming season. Dulcich's most productive season came in his rookie campaign with the Broncos in 2022, when he caught 33 passes (on 55 targets) for 411 yards and two touchdowns across 10 regular-season games.

The Bears signed Ismail to the practice squad Wednesday.

The Bears waived Ismail during Sunday's cut-down day. The tight end cleared waivers and will return to the team's practice squad, where he spent the end of the 2026 season. Ismail has yet to suit up for an NFL regular-season game.

Schultz did not play in any of the Texans' three preseason games.

Schultz, wide receiver Nico Collins and running back David Montgomery were some of the offensive starters that did not participate in preseason games, with quarterback C.J. Stroud seeing minimal action against the Raiders on Aug. 20. Schultz is coming off a productive 2025 regular season, setting a career high with 82 catches, while his 777 yards were his most since the 2021 campaign with the Cowboys (808 yards). Jayden Higgins (knee) will miss the entire 2026 season, and with Tank Dell (knee) opening the season on injured reserve, Schultz and Collins figure to be the go-to targets for Stroud in the passing game.