NFL Player News

Akins (knee) is not practicing Tuesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Akins has been out of action since Friday while he tends to a knee injury, and it's not clear how much more time he may miss. Once healthy, the 31-year-old is expected to compete for a role behind projected starter David Njoku.

Henry has been QB Mac Jones' "go-to-guy in the red zone" during training camp, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

While Henry has some new competition for targets in the form of free-agent addition Mike Gesicki, the 28-year-old Henry has been making plays in training camp, especially around the end zone, per Mark Daniels of Masslive.com. Although the Patriots list Henry at 258 pounds, the tight end indicates that he approached this summer weighing somewhere around the high 240s, and it looks like he's playing faster, per Daniels. Though the presence of Gesicki figures to impact Henry's target volume, there figures to be room for both players to maintain a degree of fantasy utility, and in Henry's case that could be especially so in TD-friendly formats.

Pitts (knee) ran routes against defenders Monday for the first time this summer, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The Falcons are easing Pitts into training camp after last year's MCL injury, with coach Arthur Smith noting Monday that the tight end is on track with his "return to play" plan. Smith also suggested Pitts could take snaps this preseason, though it'll nonetheless be surprising if the 2021 first-round pick makes more than a token appearance in exhibition games. Concern regarding Pitts' fantasy prospects for 2023 has more to do with his lack of production last year before getting hurt than any doubt about his Week 1 status; at this point it seems he's healthy and the Falcons are just being cautious.

McDonald was waived by the Packers on Tuesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

McDonald joined Green Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Florida State in May. After starting camp on the non-football injury list, he did manage to pass a physical and get back out on the field Wednesday. However, he'll now have to work to find an opportunity elsewhere.

Keene signed with the Texans on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

A third-round pick of the Patriots in the 2020 Draft, Keene never panned out in New England, catching three passes for 16 yards on five targets across six games as a rookie. He hasn't appeared in a regular-season contest since, bouncing around practice squads. Keene faces an uphill battle to make the Texans.

Schultz (ribs) exited Sunday's practice early, but coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that the tight end will "be back out there soon."

Schultz was banged up after taking a shot to the side from fellow free-agent pickup Jimmie Ward in practice. It sounds like the tight end is day-to-day, and it's not a long-term concern. Schultz is expected to compete for the team lead in targets after coming over from the Cowboys in the offseason.

Pinkey signed a contract with the Bears on Monday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Pinkey was waived by the Rams in March after appearing in four games with them in 2022. The 25-year-old will work to earn a depth role in Chicago's tight-end corps behind Cole Kmet and Robert Tonyan.

Woods (hamstring) didn't participate in team drills Monday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Woods missed OTAs due to a hamstring injury, and while he said heading into training camp that he anticipated being a full participant, it looks like the tight end is still bothered by the issue. He was dressed for practice, which suggests Woods' return may not be far off, but the third-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft is missing out on valuable reps as Indianapolis begins sorting out a tight end depth chart that also includes Kylen Granson, Pharaoh Brown and rookie Will Mallory (foot). Woods still has some time to get healthy before the Colts begin preseason play Aug. 12 against the Bills.

Whyle (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, Mike Moraitis of USA Today reports.

Whyle had missed time early on in training camp due to an undisclosed injury, but the 2023 fifth-rounder is back in action and now set to compete for slotting in a Tennessee tight end corps that also includes Chigoziem Okonkwo and Trevon Wesco. While Okonkwo profiles as the team's top pass-catching option at the position as the regular season approaches, the 6-foot-7, 248-pound rookie could find himself on the deep league fantasy radar down the road if/when injuries hit.

The Colts removed Mallory (foot) from the active/PUP list Monday morning, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

The fifth-round pick can now join his teammates in practice after missing the first week of training camp. Mallory injured his foot during the offseason program and now faces an uphill battle to earn a Week 1 role for a team with Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox and Pharaoh Brown at tight end.