Tim Tebow’s attempted return to the NFL has been cut short as the Jacksonville Jaguars have released the former quarterback attempting to make the roster as a tight end.

Tebow went to Twitter after the news broke to express his gratitude.

On May 20, Tebow signed a one-year contract to play tight end for the Jaguars. He seemed to start well. However, when contact was implemented into practice, his lack of blocking experience was a major setback.

“We knew that was an uphill battle for Tim,” head coach Urban Meyer said. “Players loved him, locker room loved him, but it was the right thing.”

Tebow played thirteen snaps and was targeted once in the Jaguars’ recent loss to the Cleveland Browns. Tebow was the only tight end not to play a special team snap, and Meyer said that was a big reason for him being cut.

“Two of the special teams’ phases are tackling, and if you’ve never tackled [it’s not easy to do].  “Every off day, we’ll have a two to three-hour meeting about roster management,” said Meyer. “We expect to be very good in special teams. Tight end position is one of those and tailback — if he can’t contribute on special teams, that’s a tough go.”

Tebow has not played in the NFL since the 2015 preseason and has spent the last six years as a broadcaster on the SEC Network while working on his baseball career.

Tebow played quarterback for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles before switching positions this year. Tebow played for Meyer in college at the University of Florida. Tebow also grew up in Jacksonville, Fl.

After Travis Kelce and Darren Waller, the tight end position has been the toughest position to find consistency across the fantasy football landscape. The 2021 NFL Draft isn’t going to change that drastically, but there are a few prospects who could certainly make some noise and earn their way into our fantasy hearts this fall. With a handful of players projected to go in the first three rounds, here are the players that will be worth a look in fantasy drafts:

Kyle Pitts, Florida

Pros

• Extremely athletic pass catcher
• Great timing and ability to extend for catches
• Quick release off the line, good speed for tight end position
• Can rise up and over defenders at 6-6 and make the tough catch
• Runs solid routes and gains separation regularly

Cons

• Can work on his run blocking
• Not terrific straight line speed

Player Comparison: Darren Waller

Projected Round: First

Takeaway: Pitts is a unique player who breaks the mold of the tight end position. The commonly used phrase a “wide receiver in a tight end’s body” is used a lot when talking about him. Although he doesn’t have the straight-line speed of a wide receiver, he has all of the other skill sets to be a phenomenal pass catcher at the next level. He should certainly go as a first-round pick in Dynasty leagues this season, and is the most likely rookie to contribute right away at the tight end position.

Pat Freiermuth, Penn State

Pros

• Great combination of size and athleticism (6-5, 251 pounds)
• Has solid downfield speed
• Quick feet for his size
• Can gain yards after catch with his power and strong stiff arms

Cons

• Can improve run blocking technique
• Coming off of a season-ending injury
• Needs to improve on making catches in traffic

Player Comparison: T.J. Hockenson

Projected Round: Second

Takeaway: Freiermuth is the career touchdown record holder for tight ends at Penn State, an impressive feat for a player who was primarily a basketball player before turning to football full-time. Freiermuth has great power and athleticism at his size. He’ll be able to use his large body and light feet to box out defenders and rise up for catches over the seam, and once in the secondary he’s not an easy takedown. A probable day-two selection, Freiermuth may need some time to polish up his game before he’s considered a TE1 for fantasy purposes

Brevin Jordan, University of Miami

Pros

• Good blend of size and athleticism 
• Can make catches at all levels of the field
• Great pass catching ability, can hold onto ball after big hit
• Able to line up in slot and play as receiver if asked

Cons

• Needs to improve his route running
• Put up mediocre numbers for a tight end at pro day

Player Comparison: Jonnu Smith

Projected Round: Second

Takeaway: Jordan is an all around tight end who started for the University Miami since he came in as a freshman in 2018. In a shortened 2020 season, Jordan averaged 15.2 yards per catch, an impressive number for a tight end. He’s a beast once he gets the ball in his hands and never gives up on a play, making him incredibly hard to take down. He has the ability to be a starting tight end in the NFL this season and could be a sneaky sleeper pick in redraft leagues this season.

Heading into the 2021 NFL season, we have ranked the top players at each position. Today, we are focusing on the tight end position. Click on each player to view his individual writeup in the slideshow or click on the link at the bottom to view the entire slideshow from the beginning.

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
3. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
4. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
5. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
6. Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
7. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
9. Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team
10. Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins

Click HERE to view the full the slideshow!

Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa withdrew from school to focus on the rehab of an injured core muscle, according to a Buckeyes announcement on Tuesday. The All-American presumably made the move to use his time and prep for the 2019 NFL Draft.

Ohio State’s Nick Bosa To Nurse Injury

“I was hopeful that Nick would be able to return to play again for us,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said in a statement. “I know this was an extremely difficult and emotional decision for Nick and his family, and I wish him well as he moves on to get himself 100 percent healthy and ready for his next chapter. I want to thank Nick for the remarkable efforts he gave for this program. He is a first-class young man who we have been honored to coach.”

Meyer also described meeting with the Bosa family. “It was very emotional,” he said. “We love Nick. The Bosa family has been awesome for Ohio State and the program. Nick is a first-class guy.”

Bosa, a junior, injured a core muscle during a 40-28 win over TCU on September 15. He’s been out recovering since after undergoing surgery to repair the muscle on September 20th. Bosa, the 2017 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, wasn’t cleared for team activities and was ruled out for the team’s game against Purdue this week.

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Through three games, Bosa put up an incredible four sacks and six tackles for loss. He was also leading the team in tackles when he was injured.

Nick is the younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, who also was a star at Ohio State. The elder Bosa went on to be the third overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Nick Bosa is currently ranked as the number one prospect in the upcoming draft, according to draft experts.

The injury isn’t expected to change Bosa’s draft status, and his move to withdraw from school should only help his draft stock as it reduces the risk of aggravating the injury.

Meyer has said he has yet to address Bosa’s departure with the team.

Dallas Cowboys star Jason Witten may soon be changing careers from playing to working in broadcasting.

Cowboys TE Jason Witten Pondering Retirement

The veteran tight end, who will be 36 in May, announced Friday that he plans to retire after 15 seasons and potentially begin working for ESPN as an analyst for Monday Night Football games. The network was one of several media outlets that reported the news.

Witten currently leads the Cowboys in three categories: receptions (1,152), receiving yards (12,448) and games played (239). The 11-time Pro Bowler is also third in receiving touchdowns with 68.

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Even more impressively, Witten also trails just three players in NFL history for the most receptions:  Jerry Rice, Tony Gonzalez and Larry Fitzgerald, according to ESPN.

Former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo also retired last year after a series of injuries to join CBS as a top analyst.

The Cowboys drafted Witten as a third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2003, the same year they signed Romo as an undrafted free agent.

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Among the other honors Witten has received throughout his career is the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which he earned in 2012 for his service to his community. One of the causes Witten’s foundation supports is women and families torn by domestic violence.

One of the veteran players who was most recently cut from Dallas’s roster is wide receiver Dez Bryant. The Cowboys released the 29-year-old, another of their top receivers, on April 13. The Cowboys took Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch as the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Should Witten not return for the 2018 season, the Cowboys would be left with tight ends Geoff Swain, Rico Gathers and Blake Jarwin. 

Former Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets tight end Konrad Reuland died Monday after suffering a brain aneurysm, coach John Harbaugh announced Tuesday. Reuland was 29.

Konrad Reuland, Former Jets And Ravens TE, Dies At 29 After Brain Aneurysm

The ex-NFL star suffered the aneurysm Nov. 28 and underwent surgery a day later at UCLA Medical Center in California.

“We lost a Raven today,” Harbaugh said. “I just want to offer condolences to his family. We love Konrad Reuland. Every single guy in the locker room loves him.”

Harbaugh then recited a short psalm.

“That’s for Konrad,” he said.

Reuland played four games for Baltimore from 2014-2015, starting in one. He didn’t make any catches. The tight end also played for the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers.

Reuland, who was born in Mission Viejo, Calif., played collegiately at Notre Dame for two years first, then Stanford and originally signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent before the 2011 season. After he was cut twice by the 49ers, the tight end signed with the Jets. He played in 26 games over the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

During his time with the Jets, Reuland had 12 catches for 90 yards and no touchdowns. The Jets placed Reuland on injured reserve in November 2013 and later waived him. The Colts took him on as a free agent on July 31 this year, although he was released on August 29.

Reuland played in three preseason games with Indianapolis this year, recording one catch for 10 yards in the team’s third preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The former NFL star had been waived seven times in total since entering the league in 2012.

“A crazy life,” Reuland said. “I’ve had injuries at the wrong time. I’ve been cut at the end of camp. I’ve made the team at the end of camp. You just never know.”

Reuland’s death is the latest tragedy in a rough year for the Ravens. Second-year cornerback Tray Walker died in a dirt bike accident in March, and longtime defensive line coach Clarence Brooks died in September following a battle with esophageal cancer.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – CIRCA 2011: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Konrad Reuland of the San Francisco 49ers poses for his NFL headshot circa 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images)

Florida International University tight end Jonnu Smith has been a powerful force on the Golden Panthers’ offense this year, but unfortunately for him, his season has come to an end.

FIU Panthers TE Jonnu Smith’s Season Over After Girlfriend Dumps Boiling Water On Him

The cause stems from a domestic dispute between Smith and his pregnant girlfriend. Mary Gaspar, who is five months pregnant with Smith’s child, dumped a pot of boiling water on the football star in his dorm room on Halloween, according to the Miami Herald.

Smith suffered severe burns to his head, neck, back, shoulder and arm. Gaspar was charged with aggravated battery and has since been released on a pre-trial release order.

Gaspar told police she and Smith had been arguing throughout the day about the attention Smith was paying to her and their relationship. She claimed she was “feeling extremely emotional and stressed” when she decided to boil a pot of water in the tight end’s dorm room and pour it on him.

Gaspar also told authorities that when Smith did not react to the boiling water as strongly as she thought he would, she began hitting him with her hands.

Gaspar’s attorney declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press.

Although the full extent of the damage done to Smith by the burns isn’t know, he will not play again for the Panthers this season. He could further his career at the professional level, however, as he is expected to be a late-round draft pick or coveted undrafted free agent.

Smith, a four-year starter, ends his career with 175 catches for 1,936 yards and 17 touchdown catches. He made the midseason John Mackey Award (best college tight end) watch list in 2014 and 2015 and the preseason Mackey Award watch list in 2015 and 2016.

MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 29: Jonnu Smith #87 of the Florida International Golden Panthers runs for a touchdown past the attempted tackle by Darryl Randolph #29 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on October 29, 2016 at FIU Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)