NFL Player News

Helm finished the preseason slate with one catch (on two targets) for 16 yards in two appearances.

Helm joined the rest of the healthy starters to kick off preseason Weeks 1 and 2, logging 26 offensive snaps between the two contests. He then was rested in Saturday's exhibition finale against the Bears along with QB Cam Ward and company. A fourth-round pick in the 2025 Draft, Helm hauled in 44 of 55 targets for 357 yards and two touchdowns in 16 regular-season games as a rookie, and he'll be looking to build upon those numbers in Year 2 under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

Gesicki is slated to be the Bengals' top pass-catching tight end to begin the 2026 season.

In the wake of the NFL's cutdown day, Gesicki's main competition for offensive snaps is blocking TE Drew Sample, who has combined for 57 catches over his last 51 regular-season games. Meanwhile, 2024 fourth-round pick Erick All is finally back healthy after missing all of 2025 due to a torn ACL, while rookie seventh-rounder Jack Endries is the only other TE on the active roster. Gesicki posted a disappointing 28-307-2 line on 42 targets in 13 regular-season contests last year, but he's just two years removed from a 65-665-2 receiving line in his first campaign as a Bengal in 2024.

Kmet is listed as a starting tight end along with Colston Loveland on the Bears' unofficial depth chart heading into the Sept. 13 season opener versus the Panthers.

The Bears make ample use of 12- and 13-personnel groupings that will allow Kmet and Loveland to frequently share the field together, but Loveland remains the clear top receiving option of the two and will be a featured part of the passing game. Kmet, meanwhile, will function primarily as a blocker, though he's not a total non-entity as a receiver. The 27-year-old churned out a career-best 73-719-6 receiving line on 90 targets in 2023, though Kmet's production has fallen off precipitously over the past two seasons. That trend may only continue into 2026 while Loveland preps for a heightened role after he was more of a part-time player for the first half of his rookie campaign.

Dippre agreed to sign with the Buccaneers' practice squad Tuesday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

After going undrafted out of Alabama in 2025, Dippre was able to secure a spot on the Patriots' roster coming out of his first training camp but was limited to just two appearances during the regular season. The 24-year-old couldn't make the cut following his second camp with New England but was able to quickly find a new opportunity in Tampa Bay.

Kittle (Achilles) will travel to Australia with the 49ers and "is trending in the right direction to play" in the season opener Sept. 10 versus the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

A final call on Kittle's availability for Week 1 isn't expected to be made until the 49ers arrive in Australia, but his involvement in practice this week and presence on the road trip suggest that he's on track to play. Kittle -- who tore his right Achilles tendon Jan. 11 and underwent surgery three days later -- could have his snaps limited to some degree if he's cleared to play in the season opener.

The Vikings cut Lang from the practice squad Tuesday, Craig Peters of the team's official site reports.

The Vikings signed Lang to the practice squad Monday after he cleared waivers from Sunday's cutdown day. The tight end was then cut once more from the practice squad after just one day. Lang was competing for a depth role with the Vikings but was ultimately not deemed important enough to stick with the organization.

The Vikings signed Grandy to the practice squad Tuesday, Craig Peters of the team's official site reports.

The Bengals waived Grandy during Sunday's cutdown day. The tight end cleared waivers and has found a new home in Minnesota. The 26-year-old participated in all three preseason games for the Bengals but was unable to catch his sole target.

The Dolphins cut Franklin from the practice squad Tuesday.

The Dolphins waived Franklin during Sunday's cutdown day. The tight end cleared waivers and joined the team's practice squad Monday before being cut Tuesday. The undrafted free agent out of Boston College has had a complicated few days, but he will ultimately need to find a new job. Franklin originally signed with the Patriots in late July, so there is a chance he will return to New England for a shot at the team's practice squad.

The Dolphins signed Watson to the practice squad Tuesday.

The Chiefs waived Watson during Sunday's cutdown day. The tight end cleared waivers and has found a spot with the Dolphins for the start of the regular season. The tight end participated in all three preseason games for the Chiefs, catching three of his five targets for 15 yards.

Villari signed with the Rams' practice squad Monday, Zach Edwards of the team's official site reports.

Villari was waived by the Rams on Saturday after failing to crack the 53-man roster but he'll stay with the organization as a member of the practice squad. The Rams currently carry five tight ends on the active roster, and Villari could be elevated from the practice squad for Week 1 against the 49ers if either or both of Terrance Ferguson (general soreness) and Davis Allen (quadriceps) were ruled out for the regular-season opener.