NFL Player News

Freiermuth wasn't targeted in Thursday's preseason game at Atlanta and finishes the preseason with two catches for 31 yards and a touchdown.

The tight end accounted for only two of 15 targets from QB Kenny Pickett this preseason, but Freiermuth is still a strong candidate to serve as the third option (or even second) in an offense that figures to start Diontae Johnson and George Pickens at wide receiver while using Allen Robinson as the No. 3 and primary slot man. The Steelers also have capable pass catchers in the backfield between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, giving Pickett quite a few options heading into Week 1 against the Niners.

Freiermuth and the rest of the Steelers' starting offense are slated to play up to three series in Thursday's preseason game at Atlanta, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Freiermuth has logged exactly seven offensive snaps in both of Pittsburgh's exhibitions to date, catching two passes for 31 yards and a TD on two targets. It's tough to expect him to strike again with quarterback Kenny Pickett, but Freiermuth at least will be afforded the opportunity to do so.

Okwuegbunam's future with the Broncos could come down to how he performs in Saturday's preseason finale against the Rams, as special-teams coach Ben Kotwica hinted he is on the roster bubble, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

The Broncos are seemingly set at tight end with Adam Trautman and Greg Dulcich, so Okwuegbunam's route to the the 53-man roster appears to be via special teams. He has apparently logged some good practices over the past week, so his final test may be in Saturday's exhibition game.

Kmet (undisclosed) was practicing in full Thursday, Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kmet left Wednesday's practice early due to an unspecified issue, but Lieser reports Kmet's Thursday practice looked "normal." It sounds like a non-issue for the Bears' top tight end ahead of the 2023 NFL campaign.

Sweeney (undisclosed) was back at the Giants' facility Thursday after suffering a medical emergency Wednesday, Bob Brookover of NJ.com reports.

Details of Sweeney's "medical event' are still unknown, and he is still going through some evaluations. However, "he's good," according to head coach Brian Daboll. It still remains unclear how this will affect Sweeney's potential 2023 campaign, but it's certainly good news that he was present the team's facility Thursday.

Thomas (calf) will do individual work Thursday, with coach Ron Rivera noting that the tight end has "progressed very well," Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Thomas hasn't practiced with teammates since at least Aug. 3 and seems likely to miss a third straight preseason game when the Commanders host the Bengals on Saturday. Second-year pro Cole Turner has been filling in as the top tight end for the first-team offense, catching six passes for 54 yards through two preseason games, including five connections with starting QB Sam Howell.

Parham (undisclosed) missed Tuesday's practice due to injury but was able to participate in individual drills Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

The tight end doesn't appear to be battling anything serious, as he described the reason for being sidelined Tuesday as, "working through some stuff from practice last week." Parham is a lock to make the Chargers' initial 53-man roster, so it wouldn't be surprising if he sits out the team's preseason finale Friday against San Francisco.

Andrews missed Wednesday's practice with an unspecified injury, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.

Head coach John Harbaugh said there's "nothing serious" going on with Andrews, noting that the tight end is "just dealing with something that we're kind of working through right now." With that in mind, Andrews is looking unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Buccaneers, while focusing on readying himself for Week 1.

Sweeney (undisclosed) is under the care of medical professionals in the Giants' training room after experiencing a medical event during Wednesday's practice, Bob Brookover of NJ.com reports. He is stable, alert and conversant.

Sweeney had been working with coaches on a side field when he had a medical episode that required the help of medical professionals. Most importantly, the tight end is in stable condition, but Sweeney's availability moving forward hasn't been clarified.

Coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that the possibility of Long (undisclosed) beginning the 2023 season on the PUP list hasn't been ruled out, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

The Rams placed Long on the active/PUP with an undisclosed injury late July. The issue has forced him to miss two preseason games and weeks of valuable training camp reps already. McVay said he hopes Long can return soon, but at this point the team may consider keeping him on the PUP list simply so he doesn't take up a spot on the 53-man roster. If Long does start Week 1 on the PUP list, he will be forced to miss at least the first four games of the season.