Jan 21, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) runs with the ball during the second half of an AFC divisional round game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jags expected to franchise TE Evan Engram

The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to place the franchise tag on tight end Evan Engram, ESPN reported Thursday.

The 2023 salary for tight ends on the franchise tag is $11.345 million.

Engram, 28, had a renaissance season for Jacksonville in 2022, hauling in career-highs in catches (73) and yards (766) in 17 games (14 starts). He caught four touchdown passes.

Engram signed a one-year deal worth $9 million with the Jaguars in March 2022 after five seasons playing for the New York Giants.

Engram has 335 catches for 3,594 yards and 20 TDs in 82 career games (65 starts) after he was selected No. 23 overall in the 2017 draft by the Giants.

–Field Level Media

New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) runs with the ball with pressure from Washington Football Team linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) in the first half at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.

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Reports: Giants to release TE Kyle Rudolph

Tight end Kyle Rudolph is being released by the New York Giants, he confirmed on social media Wednesday.

Although the team has yet to publicly announce the move, Rudolph thanked the Giants for the opportunity to play for them in 2021.

“(Giants) Fans thanks for taking me and my family in this past year! Certainly not the year any of us expected, but a year we will never forget,” Rudolph wrote on Twitter. “We’re appreciative of the Mara and Tisch Families for giving us the opportunity to be a Giant.”

Rudolph, who joined the team as a free agent last year, had foot surgery after team doctors discovered the injury in a routine physical before he signed his two-year, $12 million contract.

Rudolph, 32, recorded just 26 catches for 257 yards and one touchdown in 16 games (13 starts) last season.

He played his first 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, earning two Pro Bowl selections and catching 453 passes for 4,488 yards and 48 touchdowns in 140 games (132 starts).

Rudolph was scheduled to count $7.4 million against the salary cap this year. The Giants will save $5 million by releasing him.

Fellow Giants tight end Evan Engram will be an unrestricted free agent later this month when his fifth-year option runs out.

–Field Level Media

Aug 22, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) runs the ball during warmups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Giants’ Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard added to injury report

Tight end Evan Engram and wide receiver Sterling Shepard joined the New York Giants’ growing injury report on Thursday.

A calf injury prevented Engram from participating in Thursday’s practice, one day after he logged a full session. He missed the Giants’ first two games of the season with a calf injury as well.

Engram, 27, has 14 receptions for 127 yards and no touchdowns in four games this season. He has 230 catches for 2,547 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns since being selected by New York with the 23rd overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Shepard was limited on Thursday while dealing with a hamstring issue. He returned to action last Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams after missing the two previous games with a hamstring injury.

Shepard, 28, leads the team with 28 catches to go along with 299 receiving yards and one touchdown in four games this season.

The two players joined an injured list that includes star running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and wide receivers Kadarius Toney (ankle) and Kenny Golladay (knee). Those three players did not practice for the second straight day on Thursday.

On the relatively bright side, wideouts Darius Slayton (hamstring) and John Ross (hamstring) were limited on Thursday after failing to participate in practice the previous day.

The injury-riddled Giants (1-5) host the Carolina Panthers (3-3) on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

–Field Level Media

Aug 22, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) runs the ball during warmups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Giants’ Evan Engram out, Saquon Barkley questionable vs. Washington

The New York Giants will be without tight end Evan Engram for the second straight game to begin the season.

On Wednesday, Engram was ruled out for Thursday night’s game at the Washington Football Team (0-1).

Engram reportedly is advancing in his recovery from a calf injury, however the Giants (0-1) are faced with a short turnaround following their 27-13 season-opening loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph likely will see additional snaps in place of Engram. He had two receptions for eight yards in the Week 1 loss.

Star running back Saquon Barkley was listed as questionable for the Washington game as he continues to work his way back from last year’s knee injury. He rushed for 26 yards on 10 carries in the season opener.

The Giants also ruled out linebacker Cam Brown (hamstring) and guard Shane Lemieux (knee) for Thursday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) makes a catch against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Giants TE Kyle Rudolph passes physical, activated off PUP list

New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph was activated off the physically unable to perform list after passing his physical on Wednesday.

He is expected to participate in practice Wednesday, albeit on a limited basis.

Rudolph, who joined the team as a free agent, had foot surgery after team doctors discovered the injury in a routine physical before signing his two-year, $12 million contract.

The 31-year-old Rudolph recorded 28 catches for 334 yards and one touchdown last season with the Minnesota Vikings.

Rudolph played his first 10 seasons with the Vikings, earning two Pro Bowl selections and catching 453 passes for 4,488 yards and 48 touchdowns in 140 games (132 starts).

Rudolph joins a tight end group that includes Pro Bowler Evan Engram as well as Kaden Smith, Nakia Griffin-Stewart and Jake Hausmann.

–Field Level Media