NFL Player News

Kmet departed Wednesday's practice due to an unspecified injury, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kmet exited the field with the assistance of a cart, though it's possible the tight end was helped to the locker room as a matter of precaution. The 24-year-old recently inked a four-year extension and looks locked into a key role on offense for the Bears, with the potential to emerge as one of Justin Fields' favorite targets in 2023.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Hockenson missed practice due to lower-back stiffness, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Hockenson has recovered from the ear infection that hampered him in mid-August, but the lower-back issue could sideline him for Saturday's preseason finale against the Cardinals. The starting tight end still has well over two weeks to recover before Minnesota's Sept. 10 regular-season opener against Tampa Bay, but he may have to shake off some rust if he indeed fails to log a preseason appearance.

Graham (illness) returned to practice Wednesday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Graham had a medical episode Friday but has been cleared to resume practicing. The 36-year-old tight end is battling to make the team, and head coach Dennis Allen said Graham looked good in practice Wednesday. Allen added that Graham did some of the things that he did in the past; Graham was one of the league's most productive tight ends for the Saints during his prime, highlighted by a 16-touchdown season in 2013.

Jordan (hamstring) is not practicing Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Jordan continues to deal with a hamstring injury that has kept him on the sidelines for a large chunk of camp, including both of the team's preseason contests. He'll continue to work to get healthy with the team's season opener just over two weeks away.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Presoctt recently predicted that Ferguson will become a "big-time player in this league" in 2023, Dak Prescott, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

The second-year tight end tops the Dallas depth chart heading into the regular season, and while Ferguson will likely face competition from rookie second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker as the year progresses, there's good reason to anticipate a breakout if he hangs onto the starting job. Over the prior three years, Dalton Schultz averaged 66 catches on 94 targets for 666.7 yards and 5.7 touchdowns as the Cowboys' No. 1 tight end, and Ferguson is arguably a better athlete at a similar size.

Schoonmaker indicated after Tuesday's practice that he's no longer feeling any pain in his foot, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. "It's pretty much back to where it was before [the injury]," Schoonmaker said of his plantar fasciitis. "I'm just doing strengthening stuff. I'm really trying to get the rest of my foot strong around it so that I don't have any issues."

Taken in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft despite his existing foot issue, Schoonmaker is expected to open his rookie season working behind Jake Ferguson at tight end. The rookie could push for a bigger role as the campaign unfolds if he's able to stay 100 percent healthy.

Alie-Cox (foot) returned to practice Tuesday, the Indianapolis Star reports.

He worked with the second-team offense. Alie-Cox disappointed as a receiving option in 2022, but his blocking ability figures to keep him in the mix with Kylen Granson and Jelani Woods (hamstring) for snaps in the Colts' committee approach at tight end,

Ogletree (shoulder) returned to practice Tuesday, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Ogletree, a sixth-round pick in 2022, is on the bubble to make the final roster, so he'll likely need to show he's healthy in the final preseason game to make the cut. Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox and Jelani Woods (hamstring) seem secure in the top three spots on the depth chart, leaving Ogletree competing with 2023 fifth-round pick Will Mallory for the TE4 role, if the Colts elect to go that deep at the position.

Kieft brought in one of two targets for five yards in the Buccaneers' 13-6 preseason win over the Jets on Saturday night.

The second-year tight end made his first grab of preseason in his typically modest offensive role. Kieft should be locked into a roster spot given his superior blocking ability, which he flashed throughout his rookie 2022 campaign as the No. 3 tight end.

Wells brought in two of four targets for no gain in the Buccaneers' 13-6 preseason win over the Jets on Saturday.

Wells, who's battling for a backup tight end role, had made an impact with a 22-yard grab in the preseason opener versus the Steelers. However, he netted zero yards despite seeing his target total quadruple and his catch tally double in the second preseason contest. Wells should have one more chance to make his case for a No. 3 or No. 4 tight end role in Saturday night's preseason finale against the Ravens.