Rudolph out, Smith limited Thursday

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (foot) remained sidelined on Thursday, but TE Irv Smith (back) returned to a limited practice. Smith now seems to have a better shot to play against the Bucs this weekend than Rudolph. We'll update both guys' statuses tomorrow.

Bucs TE Kyle Rudolph is a healthy scratch for tonight's game vs. the Cowboys. TEs Cameron Brate, Cade Otton and Ko Kieft are active.

The Buccaneers have agreed to a 1-year deal with TE Kyle Rudolph, according to multiple reports. The veteran managed just 26 catches for 257 yards and 1 TD across 16 games in his lone season with the Giants after Minnesota released him following the 2020 season. It marked the 3rd straight year in which Rudolph's receptions per game declined. Obviously not a threat for big numbers in a season that will find him turning 33 in November, Rudolph still clouds the TE target picture for an offense that (at least for now) must go without Rob Gronkowski. We weren't excited about Cameron Brate or Cade Otton in any format before this signing, which certainly doesn't help either player.

The Giants are releasing TE Kyle Rudolph, according to multiple sources, a move that will clear $5.2 million in camp space for a team projected over the expected 2022 salary cap. This was a predictable decision given the team's cap situation and the fact that the 32-year-old TE is coming off a 26-catch 1st year with the Giants. With fellow TE Evan Engram on the brink of unrestricted free agency, New York's Week 1 TE starter probably isn't currently under contract with the team.

Giants TE Kyle Rudolph (foot) has been activated from the PUP list and will return to practice, the team announced. Rudolph had foot surgery shortly after signing with the G-Men in March and had been sidelined since. The 31-year-old caught just 28 balls in 12 games for the Vikings last year. But the Giants surprisingly gave him a 2-year, $12 million deal. We'll see exactly how Rudolph factors into the team's plans.

Giants TE Kyle Rudolph is opening training camp on the active/PUP list. That's not surprising, given that the veteran TE had foot surgery shortly after signing with the team. He can be activated at any point during camp. If Rudolph remains on the list until the final roster cutdown, he'd be eligible for the regular-season PUP. That would require him to miss 6 games. We'll keep an eye on Rudolph's status, mostly for the sake of Evan Engram's snap/target competition.