NFL Player News

Waller has informed the Giants that he is planning to retire, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Waller had been contemplating retirement since shortly after the Giants' season ended in January, and it became more apparent in recent weeks that he was leaning toward hanging up his cleats. The veteran tight end didn't attend New York's OTAs, and the organization was well aware that he was potentially not returning for the 2024 campaign. Waller is walking away from the NFL at the age of 31 having played eight seasons in the league -- two with the Ravens, five with the Raiders and one with the Giants. He accumulated 350 career receptions for 4,124 yards and 20 touchdowns over 86 regular-season games. New York drafted Theo Johnson in the fourth round of this year's draft, and he'll presumably compete with 2022 fourth-rounder Daniel Bellinger for the team's lead role at tight end.

Latu (knee) has suffered no setbacks in his recovery and is expected to be ready for training camp, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Latu suffered a meniscus injury during a preseason game last year and missed the entirety of his rookie campaign. A third-round selection in the 2023 Draft, Latu will likely be competing with veteran Eric Saubert for the 49ers' No. 3 spot on the team's depth chart at tight end behind George Kittle (groin) and the newly acquired Logan Thomas.

Barner (hamstring) practiced with the team Monday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

The tight end sat out of rookie minicamp and missed OTAs at the end of May due to the injury. Now that he's back, the fourth-round pick can try to earn a role on a depth chart that also includes veterans Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown.

The 49ers are slated to sign Thomas to a contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

A quarterback in college, Thomas has come into his own as a tight end the past four seasons with Washington, hauling in 72 passes in 2020 and 55 last year. Overall, he averaged 9.2 YPC and 6.1 YPT and scored 14 touchdowns on 274 targets in 52 games during that span. With San Francisco, Thomas will provide a veteran presence in its TE room behind starter George Kittle.

The Giants expect Waller to announce his retirement within the next week or so, ESPN.com's Jordan Raanan reports.

The team anticipates an announcement before mandatory minicamp June 11-13, with sources close to Waller suggesting he's leaning toward retirement. He said Friday that a decision is coming soon, and he's been busy off the field working on his music career and finalizing a divorce. Waller missed five or more games each of the past three seasons and thus finished with no more than 665 yards or three TDs in any of them. He had back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons in 2019-20 with the Raiders, peaking at 107-1,196-9 in 2020. If Waller has a late change of heart and decides to play another season, he'll be part of a New York offense that signed three guards in free agency and drafted WR Malik Nabers sixth overall, though the QB situation remains as shaky as ever with Daniel Jones recovering from an ACL tear and Drew Lock taking first-team reps this spring. Daniel Bellinger, Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz give the Giants capable blockers at tight end, while incoming fourth-round pick Theo Johnson has the speed (4.57 40) and size (6-foot-6, 259) to develop into a receiving threat. Waller will turn 32 in September, five days after the Giants' season opener against Minnesota.

Uzomah (knee) was seen participating at the Eagles' organized training activities Friday, Dave Zangaro of nbcsportsphiladelphia.com reports.

Uzomah's 2023 campaign came to an early end after suffering a knee injury in December and subsequently being placed on the Jets' injured reserve. He was ultimately released by New York before later landing in Philadelphia. His participation at OTAs indicates his health is back up to par. The veteran is expected to compete for the Eagles' No. 2 tight end role behind Dallas Goedert.

Hendershot has been easing back into action following offseason ankle surgery, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Hendershot underwent ankle surgery following the close of the 2023 season and isn't yet back up to full speed. He's expected to fill a depth role at tight end for Dallas in the coming campaign.

In his second season as a pro, Washington believes that there's a "strong possibility" he can emerge as more of a receiving threat, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

In 17 regular-season contests as a rookie last season, Washington caught just seven of his 10 targets for 61 yards, but with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on board, the 2023 third-rounder is a candidate to see more pass-catching opportunities in what figures to be a more tight-end friendly offense in Pittsburgh. At 6-foot-7, 264 pounds, Washington has the size to continue to make his mark as a run blocker, but the Georgia product has some untapped potential as a receiver and should have an opportunity to demonstrate that more in 2024, while working behind top option Pat Freiermuth in a TE corps that also includes Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt.

Kittle has set a goal to be ready for training camp after undergoing core-muscle surgery earlier this offseason, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kittle said that he played through the injury for about 10 weeks last season, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. Although he was hurting, the two-time All-Pro still recorded 65 receptions (on 90 targets) for 1,020 yards and six scores. Even if the 49ers opt to err on the side of caution with Kittle when training camp approaches, he'll remain one of the top fantasy options at tight end heading into 2024.

Mallory (hamstring) participated in OTAs last week.

Mallory finished the 2023 campaign sidelined by an injury, but it appears the 2023 fifth-round selection has fully recovered. Although he was able to contribute 18 receptions and 207 yards in 12 regular-season games during his rookie campaign, he faces a crowded tight end room in Indianapolis with the return of Jelani Woods from a Hamstring injury, as well as holdovers Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree.