Neal Sterling

Kansas City Chiefs
Wide Receiver #85
Kansas City Chiefs
Wide Receiver #85

Neal Sterling News

Let go by Chiefs

Sterling was released by the Chiefs on Wednesday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Analysis: Sterling spent a bit more than a month with Kansas City after signing with the team in June. The 2015 seventh-round pick suited up for five games with the Jets last season, recording six catches for 47 yards. He'll look to compete for a depth role elsewhere in the league.

Jul 25, 2019 8:41 AM EST


Signs with Chiefs

Sterling signed a contract with the Chiefs on Thursday.

Analysis: Sterling didn't have to wait very long to find a new team after being let go by the Jets on Tuesday. The 27-year-old was dealing with an undisclosed injury last week, but appears to be healthy as team minicamp comes to an end. With Travis Kelce clearly maintaining the No. 1 tight end spot on the team -- and perhaps the entire league -- Sterling can look to fight for a backup role at best in Kansas City.

Jun 13, 2019 5:38 PM EST



Let go by Jets

Sterling (undisclosed) was released by the Jets on Tuesday, Darryl Slater of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Analysis: Sterling was held out of practice last week due to an undisclosed injury, and it appears to have cost him a roster spot. Sterling signed with the Jets back in March but will now be back on the open market.

Jun 11, 2019 12:16 PM EST


Not practicing Tuesday

Sterling did not participate in the first day of mandatory minicamp Tuesday due to an undisclosed injury, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: It's unclear exactly what Sterling, who re-signed with the Jets this offseason, is dealing with at this time. The tight end is currently fighting for a depth role at the position on New York's final roster.

Jun 4, 2019 7:19 AM EST


Re-signs with Jets

Sterling re-signed with the Jets on Monday, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports.

Analysis: Sterling has spent the last two seasons with the Jets, except for one week in Kansas City, and appeared in 16 games (five starts) with 12 receptions for 129 yards during that time. The fifth-year pro projects to serve a depth role behind No. 1 tight end Chris Herndon if he's able to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Mar 25, 2019 2:04 PM EST



Placed on injured reserve

Sterling (concussion) was placed on injured reserve Saturday according to the Jets' official site.

Analysis: Sterling started four games for the Jets this season, but caught just six passes for 47 yards before succumbing to multiple head injuries in the span of seven weeks. Chris Herndon and Jordan Leggett will continue to shoulder the majority of the snaps at tight end.

Nov 10, 2018 1:45 PM EST


Ruled out for Week 10

Coach Todd Bowles said Sterling (concussion) wouldn't be available for Sunday's game against the Bills, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Sterling is dealing with his second concussion of the season and hasn't logged any practice activity since sustaining the head injury Oct. 28 against the Lions. If the tight end fails to make any meaningful progress in his recovery over the next week or so, it's possible that he could be moved to injured reserve for the rest of the season.

Nov 8, 2018 11:26 AM EST


Still not practicing

Sterling (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Sterling sat out the Jets' loss to Miami in Week 9, and appears questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints. The fourth-year tight end missed three games due to a concussion earlier this season, and could be in line for another extended absence. Whenever Sterling does clear the league's concussion protocol, he'll serve as the New York's No. 2 tight end behind rookie Chris Herndon.

Nov 7, 2018 1:04 PM EST


Ruled out Week 9

Sterling (concussion) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Analysis: Sterling appears to be in the early stages of the concussion protocol as he was a non-participant at practice this week after suffering the concussion last Sunday. The 30-year-old missed three games earlier this season with a concussion it wouldn't be surprising for him to miss multiple games this time around.

Nov 2, 2018 10:05 AM EST


Misses another practice

Sterling (concussion) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Darryl Slater of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Sterling was diagnosed with the concussion after exiting early in the Week 8 loss to the Bears and previously missed three games with a concussion earlier this season. It's unclear where Sterling stands in his recovery from the latest head injury, but with back-to-back absences from practice to begin the week, it's unlikely he'll be available for Sunday's matchup with the Dolphins.

Nov 1, 2018 11:35 AM EST


Not practicing Wednesday

Sterling (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Analysis: Sterling continues to nurse a concussion sustained during Sunday's loss to the Bears. The fourth-year tight end will need to clear the league's concussion protocol before returning to the field, and should be considered questionable for New York's game against the Dolphins in Week 9.

Oct 31, 2018 12:55 PM EST


Dealing with another concussion

Sterling sustained a concussion in Sunday's loss to the Bears, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Sterling exited in the first half and did not return after entering the concussion protocol. The 30-year-old missed multiple games after suffering a concussion earlier this season and a similar absence this time around wouldn't be surprising.

Oct 28, 2018 3:16 PM EST


Won't return Sunday

Sterling (head) won't return to Sunday's game versus the Lions.

Analysis: It appears to be Sterling's second concussion of the season, which could lead to a lengthy absence. If that's the case, Jordan Leggett will work as the No. 2 tight end behind Chris Herndon.

Oct 28, 2018 11:45 AM EST


Being checked for head injury

Sterling was forced out of Sunday's game versus the Jets to be evaluated for a head injury, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports.

Analysis: Sterling missed two games due to a concussion earlier this season. He suffered a hard hit to his head from Bears' corner Kyle Fuller and immediately headed to the locker room. If he can't get cleared, expect Jordan Leggett to shift to No. 2 while Chris Herndon continues to get starter reps.

Oct 28, 2018 11:10 AM EST


Blanked in Week 7

Sterling failed to come down with either of his two targets in a 37-17 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

Analysis: Sterling has been surpassed by rookie Chris Herndon at the tight end position. Herndon caught four passes for 42 yards while scoring a touchdown for the second week in a row. While Sterling's a converted wide receiver who can help out with the team battling injuries at that position, the chances of him doing so against the Bears in Week 8 or beyond look slim.

Oct 21, 2018 6:24 PM EST


Should have enhanced role Week 7

Sterling is expected to see increased involvement in the Jets' game plan Sunday against the Vikings with Quincy Enunwa (ankle) ruled out and Terrelle Pryor (groin) listed as doubtful, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Though Sterling is listed as a tight end, he has occasionally filled a hybrid role in the past for the Jets, as he's capable of lining up out wide to compensate for the projected absences of two of the team's top four receivers. While most of the combined 10.6 targets per game that have gone to Enunwa and Pryor this season are most likely to fall to Robby Anderson and Jermaine Kearse, Sterling should earn a small piece of that pie as well. An extra target or two might not be enough for Sterling to be a usable fantasy option, however, as the 30-year-old hasn't proven to be an adept pass catcher during his two years with the Jets. Over his 14 career games with New York, Sterling has hauled in 11 of 16 targets for 122 yards and no touchdowns.

Oct 19, 2018 1:09 PM EST


Two catches in return

Sterling caught both of his targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 42-34 win over Indianapolis.

Analysis: Sterling was able to contribute to the offense for the first time since Week 1, as he had been out with a concussion. The Week 1 starter at tight end was outplayed by rookie Chris Herndon (two catches for 56 yards and a touchdown) in this one, but Sterling's role in the offense should grow as he re-acclimates himself. That growth could be expedited against the Vikings in Week 7 with wide receivers Quincy Enunwa (ankle) and Terrelle Pryor (groin) both landing on the injury report following this win.

Oct 14, 2018 6:09 PM EST


No injury designation for Sunday

Sterling (concussion) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against Indianapolis.

Analysis: Sterling suffered the concussion Week 2 against the Dolphins but finally appears ready for a return to game action. It has yet to be announced the 30-year-old has cleared the concussion protocol, but his lack of an injury designation speaks to his progress heading into Week 6.

Oct 12, 2018 11:12 AM EST


Limited participant Wednesday

Sterling (concussion) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Darryl Slater of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Sterling sustained the concussion against the Dolphins in Week 2 and has yet to return to game action. The 30-year-old remains in the concussion protocol despite his limited practice participation.

Oct 10, 2018 5:15 PM EST


Ruled out for Week 5

Sterling (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Darryl Slater of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: After failing to participate in either of the Jets' first two practices of the week, Sterling advanced to limited participation Friday, a sign that he's making progress through the NFL's concussion protocol. However, the Jets apparently didn't anticipate that Sterling would receive full clearance of the five-step protocol by Sunday, so he'll be in street clothes for the third straight contest. The Jets will divvy up the reps at tight end between Chris Herndon, Jordan Leggett and Eric Tomlinson, with Herndon profiling as the top pass-catching threat of that trio.

Oct 5, 2018 10:46 AM EST


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