Kyle Rudolph

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tight End #82
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tight End #82
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Kyle Rudolph News

Returns to practice Friday

Rudolph was a limited participant during Friday's practice, Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports reports.

Analysis: Rudolph was knocked out of the regular-season finale against Carolina with a knee injury and remained sidelined during Thursday's practice. The backup tight end returned as a limited participant Friday, but he'll likely have to log a full session Saturday to avoid an injury designation for Monday's wild-card matchup against Dallas.

Jan 13, 2023 1:15 PM EST


Sits out practice Thursday

Rudolph (knee) was a non-participant during the Buccaneers' practice Thursday.

Analysis: Rudolph was forced out with a knee injury during the regular-season finale against Carolina, leaving him sidelined for the first practice ahead of Tampa Bay's wild-card game against Dallas on Monday. The 33-year-old tight appeared in nine games this season and was a sporadic healthy scratch for Tampa Bay. Rudolph has also secured just one reception since Week 7, though his potential absence could mean a slight increase in playing time for rookie tight end Ko Kieft behind Cade Otton and Cameron Brate.

Jan 12, 2023 2:14 PM EST



Forced out versus Atlanta

Rudolph has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Falcons with a knee injury.

Analysis: Rudolph logged his first receiving touchdown of the season with an eight-yard score in the first half. However, his day will come to an early end after he was ruled midway through the third quarter, leaving Ko Kieft, Cameron Brate and Cade Otton as the Buccaneers' three available tight ends for the remainder of this contest. With Tampa Bay scheduled to play during the first round of the playoffs starting next week, it will be worth monitoring Rudolph's practice activity for more clarity on this knee issue.

Jan 8, 2023 12:02 PM EST


No targets over 10 snaps

Rudolph didn't log a target over 10 snaps during the Buccaneers' 30-24 win over the Panthers in Week 17.

Analysis: The veteran tight end garnered active status for the second straight game, but just as during his 11-snap stint against the Cardinals in Week 16, Rudolph went without target. Rudolph certainly isn't without pass-catching ability, but the fact he didn't see a ball thrown his way Sunday despite Cameron Brate being a healthy scratch underscores that he's viewed exclusively as a blocker in this offense.

Jan 4, 2023 9:08 PM EST


Won't play Sunday

Rudolph (coach's decision) has been ruled inactive ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Analysis: Rudolph was also ruled a healthy scratch for back-to-back games before suiting up against New Orleans in Monday Night Football last week. However, he ultimately did not record a statistic over his nine offensive snaps. Rudolph now finds himself the odd man out with Cameron Brate back after a one-game absence due to illness.

Dec 11, 2022 12:28 PM EST



No targets on nine snaps

Rudolph didn't draw a target over nine snaps in the Buccaneers' 17-16 win over the Saints on Monday night.

Analysis: Rudolph garnered active status for the sixth time this season, but as has been the case on the last three occasions, he failed to draw any targets. If Cameron Brate (illness) is able to return for the Week 14 road clash against the 49ers, Rudolph is likely to revert back to healthy scratch status.

Dec 6, 2022 8:38 PM EST


Healthy scratch Sunday

Rudolph (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Browns.

Analysis: Rudolph is a healthy scratch once again and has yet to claim a clear role with the Buccaneers. The veteran remains behind Cameron Brate, Cade Otton and Ko Kieft on the team's positional depth chart, and will likely only dress on game day if one of them suffers an injury.

Nov 27, 2022 8:52 AM EST


Not playing in Munich

Rudolph (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks in Munich, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Analysis: Rudolph dressed each of the past three games but played fewer than eight snaps each time out and recorded one reception for eight yards during that stretch. With Cameron Brate (neck) returning from a three-game absence Sunday and Cade Otton and Ko Kieft on hand as depth options, Rudolph wasn't needed as a fourth tight end in Germany.

Nov 13, 2022 5:08 AM EST


Healthy scratch Sunday

Rudolph (coach's decision) will not play Sunday against the Steelers.

Analysis: Rudolph has yet to find a steady role in the Buccaneers' offense, having only been active for two contests this season and seeing limited snaps. He'll continue working to find his niche with the team and earn a chance to suit up next week, against the Panthers.

Oct 16, 2022 8:59 AM EST


Only nine snaps Sunday

Rudolph failed to bring in his only target in the Buccaneers' 21-15 win over the Falcons on Sunday.

Analysis: The veteran tight end garnered active status for only the second time this season and didn't crack the stat sheet during his modest time on the field. Rudolph's opportunity came as a result of Cameron Brate's absence due to a concussion, so if the latter is able to return for the Week 6 road matchup against the Steelers, the former is likely to revert to healthy scratch status.

Oct 10, 2022 1:07 PM EST


Healthy scratch Sunday

Rudolph (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against Kansas City.

Analysis: Rudolph was active for the first time this year during last week's loss to the Packers, and he secured his lone target for 12 yards. However, he'll be held out in Week 4 since Cade Otton is back in action.

Oct 2, 2022 4:04 PM EST


One catch in season debut

Rudolph brought in his only target for 12 yards in the Buccaneers' 14-12 loss to the Packers on Sunday.

Analysis: The veteran tight end was active for the first time this season with rookie Cade Otton (personal) out of action, and he was able to make good use of the one pass thrown his way. Rudolph logged only nine snaps overall despite the Buccaneers being short-handed at tight end, and he's likely to revert to inactive status as early as Week 4 if Otton is back with the team for the home showdown against the Chiefs.

Sep 26, 2022 9:13 PM EST


Inactive for Week 1

Rudolph is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys.

Analysis: With Rudolph not in uniform for the Buccaneers' season opener, Cameron Brate, Cade Otton and Ko Kieft are in line to handle the team's Week 1 tight end duties.

Sep 11, 2022 4:03 PM EST


Makes preseason debut Saturday

Rudolph brought in one of three targets for three yards in the Buccaneers' 13-3 preseason loss to the Titans on Saturday night.

Analysis: The veteran tight end got his feet wet in the Buccaneers offense for the first time and logged targets in both the second and fourth drives of the game. Rudolph and Cameron Brate will likely serve as co-No.1 options at tight end to open the season, although rookie Cade Otton could potentially eat into both of their snaps as the season unfolds.

Aug 20, 2022 8:22 PM EST


Lands with Bucs

Rudolph signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: The Buccaneers lost O.J. Howard and Rob Gronkowski -- at least for the time being -- from their tight end depth chart this offseason. While they added Cade Otten and Ko Kleft in the 2022 NFL Draft, the signing of Rudolph will give the team another veteran option to pair with Cameron Brate. Even with the benefit of having Tom Brady as his quarterback, Rudolph isn't likely to return to his form when he was a member Vikings, though he still proved to be a decent red zone threat by accruing nine red zone targets with the Giants in 2021.

Jul 20, 2022 7:42 PM EST


Drawing interest from several teams

Rudolph has received interest in free agency from various teams, including Tampa Bay and his former team Minnesota, and a deal could come together sometime before training camp in late July Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Rudolph has been on the free-agency market since his release from the Giants in March. The two-time Pro Bowler just one season in New York, collecting 26 catches on 39 targets for 257 yards and one touchdown over 16 games in 2022. Though Rudolph is beyond his prime production years, he could still serve as a reliable veteran for teams in need of depth at tight end.

Jul 14, 2022 3:06 PM EST


Officially let go by the Giants

The Giants cut Rudolph on Wednesday.

Analysis: As expected, Rudolph will be let go to free up roughly $5 million in cap space, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. He made 16 appearances during his first season in New York and caught 26 of 39 targets for 257 yards and one touchdown. The 32-year-old -- who has no plans to retire, per Adam Schefter of ESPN -- will likely generate interest from teams in search of tight end depth during the next couple of weeks.

Mar 2, 2022 11:42 AM EST


Says goodbye to Giants

Rudolph posted an apparent farewell message to the Giants via his official Twitter account Wednesday.

Analysis: Rudolph didn't explicitly mention a release, but his goodbye and thank you message appears to point in that direction. The veteran tight end being cut would free up roughly $5 million in cap space for New York, with $2.4 million in dead money, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, who also reports a league source concurring Rudolph's coming release. It shouldn't be long before the Giants make the situation official.

Mar 2, 2022 7:51 AM EST


Modest year

Rudolph caught 26 of his 39 targets for 257 yards and one touchdown in 2021.

Analysis: He's under contract for another year, so he'll probably reprise a similar role. Evan Engram is likely to be gone, but chances are the Giants draft and/or sign a more dynamic tight end.

Jan 11, 2022 1:08 AM EST


Will be available Sunday

Rudolph (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Sunday's matchup with Washington, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Analysis: Rudolph will be available for the final week of the regular season, but his presence likely won't impact the Giants' offense. On the season, he's totaled 22 catches for 240 yards and one score, but he's only recorded one catch for nine yards across his last three games.

Jan 7, 2022 12:47 PM EST


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