NFL Player News

Bowers secured one of two targets for six yards in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.

The talented tight end logged only one snap in the preseason opener against the Cardinals on Aug. 13 and then was rested for last Thursday's game against the Texans, so Bowers' catch goes down as his first and only stat from exhibition season. After an injury-impacted 2025, Bowers is back to full health and will serve as the top target in the Raiders offense to begin the campaign. Bowers next takes the field in a Week 1 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Willis (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's preseason matchup with the Raiders, Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The tight end caught one pass for seven yards before leaving the game. The 2023 seventh-round pick is fighting for a roster spot with backups Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell Willis has seen action in each of the last three seasons with the 49ers, primarily on special teams.

Smith is signing a one-year contract with the Packers, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.

Smith has been without a team since being released by the Steelers in March, but he has found a new home in Green Bay. Tucker Kraft (knee) is the established top tight end for the Packers, but the team lacks depth behind him -- particularly with Luke Musgrave (neck) on the Active/PUP list -- and Smith immediately becomes the second most intriguing tight end on the roster for fantasy purposes.

Kraft (knee) is expected to be "full go" for the Packers' Week 1 regular-season opener against the Vikings, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Kraft got his first taste of full contact in joint practice with the Cardinals on Wednesday, and he deemed himself ready to go for the start of the 2026 season. The tight end isn't going to play in Friday's preseason finale, so all sights are set on Week 1. Kraft will be 10 months removed from his torn ACL next week after he sustained the injury in Week 9 against the Panthers last season.

The Dolphins waived/injured Turner (undisclosed) on Wednesday.

Turner will now be subject to waivers, and if he clears will revert to the Dolphins' injured reserve list. If the tight end reverts to IR, he will spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season there unless he is waived with an injury settlement. The Dolphins signed running back Coleman Bennett in a corresponding move.

The Browns waived Bates (undisclosed) from injured reserve with an injury settlement Wednesday.

Bates reverted to the Browns' injured reserve list Aug, 18. The tight end likely believes he can once again produce for an NFL roster or practice squad during the 2026 regular season, and negotiated an injury settlement. Bates has already cleared waivers and is now a free agent able to sign with any franchise once he's healthy.

The Giants signed Deguara to a contract Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

The 49ers released Deguara on Monday. The tight end has quickly found new work and may have a shot to usurp Chris Manhertz's spot on the 53-man roster with a strong showing in Friday's preseason finale against the Jets. Deguara is primarily a special teams player and will need to prove his versatility quickly to manifest any lasting staying power.

Johnson missed Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.

Johnson made an early exit Monday and hasn't yet returned, but there's been no indication of a serious injury that would jeopardize his Week 1 status. Giants coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Johnson will be ready for the season opener, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Stowers (hamstring) may not be active on gamedays even if he returns to health before the start of the regular season, according to Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.

The second-round pick reportedly had a quiet training camp even before his recent absences with a hamstring injury. He's caught three of five targets for 12 yards in two preseason appearances, and it looks like he may now open his career fourth on the tight-end depth chart. The Eagles also have veterans Johnny Mundt and Grant Calcaterra (back) competing for snaps behind veteran starter Dallas Goedert. Any hope for Stowers having Year 1 fantasy value entails Goedert missing time, though it sounds like that alone might not do the trick with Mundt and Calcaterra also in the mix to provide superior blocking and experience.

Kraft (knee) will participate in team drills during Wednesday's joint practice with the Cardinals, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Kraft has been participating in team drills for over a week, and he has advanced enough to get some work in against an opposing team. It's still not certain that Kraft will be ready for Week 1, and it was reported earlier in August that he could open on a snap count even if he is ready to go, but the chances of him both being out there and filling a key role continue to rise.