NFL Player News

Hockenson (knee) said "they haven't really put a timeline on it" when asked Wednesday about a potential date for his in-season return to action, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.

Hockenson was specifically asked on the NFL Schedule Release '24 show whether he expects to be playing Week 5 versus the Jets in London. The standout tight end said of his recovery from a right ACL and MCL tear he's "kinda taking it day by day, week by week," and that "the progression has been incredible" even though a specific return timetable remains uncertain. Hockenson underwent surgery late January and doesn't seem likely to be ready for Week 1, but Week 5 could be within the realm of possibility. The Vikings have a Week 6 bye, however, so it's possible that a more realistic target for Hockenson's debut could be Week 7 and beyond.

The Lions waived Rex on Thursday.

Rex was waived to make room for fellow tight end Sean McKeon. An undrafted rookie out of BYU, Rex will now have to look for an opportunity to compete with another club this offseason.

The Lions signed McKeon to a contract Thursday.

McKeon suffered an ankle injury last December and was placed on IR after suiting up for nine games with the Cowboys, in which span he failed to secure either of his two targets. He can contribute both on special teams and as a blocker on offense, and McKeon, who's presumably past his ankle issue, now gets a chance to compete for a depth role with Detroit.

Tonyan and the Vikings agreed to terms Thursday on a contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Tonyan suited up for all 17 games with the Bears last season, but he secured only 11 of 17 targets for 107 yards. He joins a Minnesota tight end room behind T.J. Hockenson (knee), who isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1 as he works his way back from a serious knee injury. That could give Tonyan the opportunity to compete with Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for an expanded early season role.

Mitchell (hand) was seen catching passes last week during the beginning of Detroit's offseason program.

Mitchell played 15 games during the 2023 regular season while primarily slotting in as a blocking tight end and contributor on special teams, as he caught just two passes. The 24-year-old then missed the Lions' postseason run with a hand injury. Mitchell's return to action during the offseason program likely means he's moved past the injury or the time being, so he'll likely slot back in behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright on the depth chart at tight end to begin the 2024 season.

The Titans signed Vannett on Monday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

The veteran tight end has spent time with six different teams across his eight-year career, and he's now headed to Nashville after agreeing to terms with the Titans. Vannett most recently played with the Chargers, tallying 125 offensive snaps across eight games and recording one reception for three yards in 2023. Expect the 31-year-old to compete for a depth role in Tennessee's tight end room as the offseason progresses.

The Falcons signed Dwelley (ankle) on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Dwelley finished last season on injured reserve after sustaining an ankle injury, but it now seems as if he's moved past the issue. After spending the first six seasons of his NFL career with the 49ers, the 29-year-old tight end has agreed to terms with the Falcons. Across his last three seasons, Dwelley has appeared in 41 games and made two starts, catching eight of his 12 targets for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his underwhelming offensive production, the San Diego product has been a consistent contributor on special teams (619 snaps over the last three years), and he's expected to compete for a similar role in Atlanta.

The Vikings agreed to terms with Reyes on Monday.

Reyes was placed on the reserve/retired list in August 2023 due to an abundance of head injuries throughout his career. However, the 28-year-old tight end has been cleared to play once again and given a new opportunity in Minnesota. Reyes' most recent in-game action came back in 2021 with the Commanders, when he appeared in 11 games and played primarily on special teams (145 snaps). The Vikings picked up Reyes through the NFL's International Player Pathway program, and this signing does not count against the team's 90-player offseason roster limit.

The Eagles waived Togiai on Monday.

Togiai has spent the last three seasons on Philadelphia's practice squad, but he was elevated for only one game in 2023 and failed to record any stats. As Togiai now heads into his age-27 season, he will need to compete for a depth opportunity elsewhere in the league.

The Lions signed Hesse on Monday.

Hesse appeared in three games with Atlanta last season, but across 48 offensive snaps he wasn't targeted. He also played 28 snaps on special teams. Now, Hesse will get a chance to compete for a depth role in Detroit's crowded tight end room.