NFL Player News

Akins anticipates a role in Cleveland greater than what he had in Houston the previous five seasons, Ashley Bostock of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. "In Houston, I was kind of labeled as a catch-and-run type in the flat," Akins said. "Here I'm more down the field."

Akins signed with the Browns during the offseason, and his history with quarterback Deshaun Watson when the two were Texans teammates was undoubtedly a factor. He wasn't a top target of Watson in Houston, but Akins achieved a level of success with the quarterback, catching 90 of 129 targets for 1,046 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons from 2018 to 2020. The tight end anticipates an expanded route tree in Cleveland and an opportunity to not be so one dimensional as a receiver. He'll compete with Harrison Bryant to back up lead tight end David Njoku.

Mitchell seems like a lock to make the roster, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

There may not be many snaps left for a No. 3 tight end behind Brock Wright and Sam LaPorta, but there could still be room for a couple of extra bodies since Detroit kept four tight ends on the roster last year. A 2022 fifth-round pick, Mitchell seems like the favorite for one of those spots. While he may not offer much as an in-line blocker, Mitchell is a talented receiver who could be a surprising contributor in 2023 if LaPorta ends up being slow to acclimate to the pro level.

Lions tight end coach Steve Heiden said that LaPorta is expected to play a big role in the offense from the start of the season, Tim Twentyman of the team's official site reports.

Detroit's second-round pick has impressed throughout spring practices and minicamp as a do-it-all tight end. While LaPorta will probably have a harder time standing out when the pads come on in training camp this upcoming week, the presence of incumbent starter Brock Wright could at least allow the rookie time to grow into his blocking responsibilities. Since LaPorta may have a shallower learning curve as a receiver, the Iowa product could realistically complement the blocking-proficient Wright from the get-go. However, it is unknown whether LaPorta's role will quickly translate to fantasy-worthy numbers, and it may be a stretch to think he can instantly replicate the 6.1 targets and 56.4 receiving yards per game that T.J. Hockenson was seeing in eight games next to Wright during the first half of the 2022 campaign.

The Jets placed Uzomah (leg) on the PUP list Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The tight end suffered an apparent right leg injury last month. As a result, Uzomah won't be allowed to practice once the Jets start training camp, though he can be activated at any time. Once he returns to the field, Uzomah will be in line to reclaim his role in a Jets tight-end corps led by Tyler Conklin.

Kalinic signed with the Rams on Saturday.

Kalinic spent the 2022 campaign with the Colts and bounced between the 53-man roster and practice squad. He suited up for seven games but wasn't targeted, and he'll now attempt to carve out a role with the Rams.

Engram agreed to a three-year, $42.5 million contract with the Jaguars on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Engram sat out the Jaguars' offseason program after being assigned the franchise tag for $11.35 million, but the two sides reached a long-term deal that gives the 2017 first-round pick job security and a hefty raise before Monday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. The 28-year-old Engram joined Jacksonville on a one-year contract ahead of the 2022 campaign and finished with 73 receptions for 766 yards -- both career highs. With Calvin Ridley now in town and Travis Etienne fully healthy, Engram's target share might drop a bit, but the tight end is still expected to be a vital part of Jacksonville's passing attack in 2023.

Engram likely will report to training camp even if he doesn't get a long-term deal before Monday's deadline, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Engram sat out the offseason program after the Jags assigned him a franchise tag for $11.35 million. He's hoping for a long-term deal before 4:00 p.m. ET on Monday but apparently will sign the tag and report to camp even if it doesn't happen. Engram signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Jaguars last offseason and finished his first year in Jacksonville with career highs for catches (73) and receiving yards (766). He'll turn 28 a week before the 2023 season begins and has missed only two games over the past three seasons after sitting out 14 his first three years in the league.

This coming season, the Patriots appear likely to employ a good amount of two-tight end sets featuring Gesicki and Hunter Henry, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

The report notes that over the last two seasons the Patriots ranked 25th in 12-personnel usage, but with Gesicki now in the mix instead of Jonnu Smith, look for the team to find ways to utilize the newcomer's natural pass-catching skills and alignment flexibility in tandem with Henry. Assuming new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien does in fact allocate ample snaps to New England's top TE duo, Gesicki has a good chance to see an uptick from the 32-362-5 receiving line he put up while logging 52 targets (down from 112 in 2021) in 17 games with the Dolphins last season. Per Lazar, the 27-year-old free-agent addition was "impactful in OTAs and minicamp sessions running the seam, stretching the field horizontally, and showing decent separation quickness."

Taylor (undisclosed) reverted to IR on Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Taylor went unclaimed after being waived with an injury designation Monday. The 23-year-old had joined Jacksonville after going undrafted out of Cincinnati in May. He'll now be forced to sit out the 2023 season unless he's able to reach an injury settlement with the team, and subsequently can prove that he's healthy.

Taylor (undisclosed) was waived/injured by the Jaguars on Monday, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

It's unclear what injury Taylor is dealing with, but the tight end will revert to injured reserve Tuesday, assuming he clears waivers.