Giants release vet TE

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.

Giants team doctors are concerned with 1 of TE Kyle Rudolph's feet and believe he needs surgery, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Rudolph missed the final 4 games of last season with a foot injury, but we never got any details on it. He agreed to -- but didn't sign -- a 2-year, $14 million deal with New York last week, but that's now hanging in the balance. We'll see where this goes, but Rudolph is no better than a late-round flier in fantasy drafts right now.

Update: Rudolph has officially signed his contract with the Giants. It's unclear if he'll need surgery on that foot.

The Giants signed TE Kyle Rudolph to a 2-year, $14 million deal, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Rudolph was dumped by the Vikings earlier this month in what was largely a salary-saving move. Rudolph is 31 now but still ranked 21st among 43 qualifying TEs in yards per route run and received strong blocking grades from Pro Football Focus last year. He's unlikely to be a fantasy factor in New York but could be a drain on TE Evan Engram's production.

The Vikings are set to release TE Kyle Rudolph, NFL Network reports. Rudolph remained useful last year, ranking 21st among 43 qualifying TEs in yards per route run and garnering strong blocking grades from Pro Football Focus. But he turned 31 in November and was set to count over $9 million against the 2021 salary cap. We'll see where Rudolph lands on the open market. Meanwhile in Minnesota, it's wheels up for TE Irv Smith, who's had a promising start to his pro career sharing the field with Rudolph. With Rudolph out for the final 4 games of this past season, Smith ranked 4th among TEs in PPR points.