Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Goes to Texans' practice squad
Rotowire
Houston signed Mitchell-Paden to its practice squad Tuesday.
Mitchell-Paden cleared waivers after missing the cut for the Saints' initial 53-man roster, but now he's getting a fresh opportunity with the Texans. Barring injury to one of the five tight ends on Houston's current depth chart, there's little chance he'll see regular-season action any time soon.
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Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Jettisoned by Saints
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The Saints waived Mitchell-Paden on Saturday.
Since going undrafted in 2022, Mitchell-Paden has spent time with three different teams (the Browns, Ravens and Saints). New Orleans claimed him off waivers last October, but he made just two appearances with his new squad before landing on IR ahead of Week 18. If he clears waivers, Mitchell-Paden will be free to sign with another organization.
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Saints' Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Running routes at minicamp
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Mitchell-Paden (knee) is practicing during the Saints' minicamp, Ross Jackson of LouisianaSports.net reports.
Mitchell-Paden was dealing with a knee injury at the end of last season that landed him on injured reserve in January, but he appears to be back in football shape with minicamp underway. He'll be competing for a depth spot as an in-line tight end on the Saints' 53-man roster for 2026.
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Saints' Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Mitchell-Paden (knee) is ruled out for Sunday's road contest against the Titans, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Mitchell-Paden was unable to practice in any capacity leading up to Sunday's road matchup, so it's not much of a surprise to see him ruled out. The depth tight end's final chance to play in 2025 will come Week 18 on the road against Atlanta.
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Saints' Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Not playing Week 16
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Mitchell-Paden (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Mitchell-Paden was a late addition to Friday's injury report due to a knee injury, which is severe enough for him to be sidelined for Sunday's game. He was a healthy scratch in each of the Saints' three games prior to Week 16, so his absence won't have too much of an impact. New Orleans will roll with five active tight ends in Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill, Jack Stoll and Moliki Matavao.
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Saints' Zaire Mitchell-Paden: NOLA bound
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The Saints claimed Mitchell-Paden off waivers from the Ravens on Friday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Mitchell-Paden will get a new opportunity with the Saints after being let go by the Ravens on Thursday. The 26-year-old will add to a Saints tight end room that consists of Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill and Jack Stoll. Mitchell-Paden logged one catch (on two targets) for three yards through six regular-season games for the Ravens before being waived.
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Ravens' Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Records first NFL reception
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Mitchell-Paden hauled in his lone target for a three-yard reception in Sunday's 44-10 loss to the Texans.
One of four tight ends the Ravens made active in Week 5, Mitchell-Paden finished last among the quartet in offensive snap share (28 percent), but he was able to come away with his first NFL reception across his 12 plays. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 257 pounds, Mitchell-Paden brings most of his value to the Ravens as a blocker and as a core special-teams player, so he's unlikely to command much target volume even if Baltimore were to lose Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and/or Charlie Kolar for any period of time.
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Ravens' Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Signs with active roster
Rotowire
The Ravens signed Mitchell-Paden off their practice squad Saturday.
The Florida Atlantic product was elevated for each of Baltimore's first three games this season, playing 67 total snaps (44 on offense, 23 on special teams) and failing to haul in his lone target. However, he's proved to be a great blocker and a key part of the Ravens' rushing success, which likely earned him a spot on the active roster. Mitchell-Paden is expected to play behind both Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar in the Week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
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Ravens' Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Elevated for MNF
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The Ravens elevated Mitchell-Paden from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Monday night's game against the Lions.
Mitchell-Paden has been elevated to the active roster for each of the Ravens' first three games of the regular season due to the absence of Isaiah Likely (foot). A player is eligible to be elevated from the practice squad up to three times in a season, so the Ravens would have to sign Mitchell-Paden to the active roster if they wish for him to play beyond Week 3. He has mostly played in a rotational role at tight end behind Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar through the first two games of 2025.
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Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Reverts to practice squad
Rotowire
Mitchell-Paden reverted to the Ravens' practice squad Monday, per the NFL transaction log .
Mitchell-Paden was active for the second consecutive week and has held a similar role in each of Baltimore's first two games, playing around 15 offensive snaps with a handful of special-teams snaps. He was targeted in Sunday's 41-17 win over the Browns but was unable to record a catch.
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Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Reverts to practice squad
Rotowire
Mitchell-Paden reverted to Baltimore's practice squad Monday.
Mitchell-Paden was elevated ahead of Sunday's loss versus the Bills as Isaiah Likely was sidelined with a foot injury, and the former ended up seeing playing time on both offense and special teams but failed to record any stats. Mitchell-Paden could play again next week versus the Browns if Likely remains out.
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Ravens' Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Elevated for Week 1
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The Ravens elevated Mitchell-Paden from the practice squad Saturday.
With Isaiah Likely (foot) still working his way back from injury, Mitchell-Paden will serve as the Ravens' third tight end behind Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar on Sunday night against the Bills.
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Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Cut by Baltimore
Rotowire
The Ravens waived Mitchell-Paden on Tuesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.
Mitchell-Paden has spent the last four years with Cleveland and Baltimore but has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game. He logged 102 offensive snaps across three preseason contests this summer, catching one pass for 11 yards.
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Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Back to practice squad
Rotowire
Mitchell-Paden reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday.
Mitchell-Paden was elevated up for Sunday's loss to Baltimore but ended up a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old will now wait for another opportunity to be called up for a game.
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Browns' Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Signs new contract with Browns
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Cleveland inked Mitchell-Paden to a reserve/future contract Monday.
Mitchell-Paden ended his rookie season on the Browns' practice squad, having gone undrafted out of Florida Atlantic. He now gets a chance to continue his development with the team.
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Zaire Mitchell-Paden: Joins Cleveland's practice squad
Rotowire
Mitchell-Paden was signed to the Browns' practice squad Wednesday.
Mitchell-Paden had been cut after signing with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in May, but he went unclaimed on waivers and was subsequently added to the Browns' practice squad. The former Florida Atlantic tight end is more skilled at blocking than catching passes.
