NFL Player News

The Dolphins are signing Fortson (shoulder) to a contract Thursday, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Fortson spent the entire 2023 season on injured reserve with the Chiefs after undergoing shoulder surgery, but he should be healthy by the time Miami's offseason activities begin. A fifth-year pro capable of contributing as a rotational piece, Fortson will provide depth for the Dolphins behind Durham Smythe and fellow offseason addition Jonnu Smith.

Hurst is visiting Los Angeles on Thursday and intends to sign with the team, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Hurst, who was recently release by Carolina, appears in line to link up with Justin Herbert and new head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers are in need of prove pass-catchers to join Keenan Allen after the release of Mike Williams (knee), and Hurst is a solid option at tight end with two 50-plus catch seasons under his belt.

Ricci (shoulder) and the Browns agreed on a one-year contract Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Ricci spent the last three seasons with the Panthers before the team decided to not tender him Friday, and he'll now get a fresh start with the Browns. The 27-year-old will have an opportunity to operate in an offense that includes Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb (knee) and Amari Cooper, amongst others.

Pitts looks set to benefit from improved quarterback play in 2024 after Kirk Cousins (Achilles) agreed Monday with Atlanta on a four-year, $180 million contract.

Pitts could be the Falcons' skill-position player most primed to benefit from a quarterback upgrade. After beginning his NFL career with a 1,026-yard rookie campaign while paired with a former league MVP in Matt Ryan in 2021, Pitts has since turned in 356- and 667-yard efforts while he's been on the receiving end of passes from Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, in addition to battling injuries. Even coming off an Achilles' tendon tear, Cousins likely represents the best quarterback that Pitts has played with recently, and the tight end will also have the benefit of coming out of the offseason at full health. He spent considerable time last offseason rehabbing from an MCL sprain, which may have contributed to his slow start to the 2023 season. Along with improved health and the change at quarterback, Pitts should benefit from the departure of fellow tight end Jonnu Smith, a favorite of former head coach Arthur Smith who often poached snaps from Pitts.

The Panthers released Hurst on Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Hurst made it through just one season of a three-year, $21.75 million contract and will be cut loose even though most of his 2024 salary is guaranteed. A concussion cost him the final eight games of 2023, with reports of post-traumatic amnesia perhaps bringing retirement into consideration for the 30-year-old tight end. Hurst should have some interest around the league if he wants to keep playing, though it'll be on a much smaller contract than what he signed last offseason. He cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in January.

Bryant agreed Wednesday with the Raiders on a one-year, $3.25 million contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Bryant is slated to replace Austin Hooper as the the veteran backup to 2023 second-round draft pick Michael Mayer (toe) in Las Vegas. After exceeding 200 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, Bryant had just 81 yards with the Browns in the 2023 regular season despite suiting up for all 17 games.

Bowers is dealing with a minor hamstring injury and won't work out Wednesday at Georgia's pro day, Taylor Bisciotti of NFL Network reports.

Jordan Reid of ESPN.com reports that Bowers plans to hold a separate workout for NFL teams on April 10. He's considered the best tight end in the 2024 class by a wide margin and likely will be picked in the first half of the first round. Bowers missed a chunk of the 2023 season with an ankle injury that required tightrope surgery, but he made it back for Georgia's final two regular-season games and its SEC title game loss to Alabama, catching 15 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns over his final three appearances to close out a prolific collegiate career shortly before his 21st birthday. His 2,538 receiving yards were the most ever by an SEC tight end, and he scored 31 touchdowns (26 receiving) in 40 games across three seasons.

Brown has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Seahawks, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Brown is coming off a 2023 campaign that saw him tally 208 yards and one touchdown on 13 receptions for the Patriots. Seattle will be his fifth city across seven seasons. The journeyman will presumably compete for the backup tight end role behind Noah Fant (hand).

Hooper is expected to sign with the Patriots on a one-year, $4.25 million contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Hooper accumulated 234 yards on 25 receptions across 17 games (nine starts) in Las Vegas last season. New England will mark his fifth team during his nine-year career. The journeyman projects to back up Hunter Henry as the Patriots' No. 2 tight end.

Trautman has agreed to re-sign with the Broncos on a two-year contract, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

After spending his first three seasons in New Orleans, Trautman finished his first campaign in Denver with 204 yards and three touchdowns on 22 receptions. The 27-year-old projects to again provide depth at tight end in the upcoming season as the No. 2 option behind Greg Dulcich (foot).