Who Should I Start? Giovanni Ricci or Charlie Kolar

Monday, February 3, 7:02 PM

The New England Patriots signed free-agent tight end Giovanni Ricci (knee) to a Reserve/Futures deal on Monday. Ricci was on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad in 2024 but never was active for a regular-season game and was cut in August due to a knee injury. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan made his NFL debut in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers, with all 36 of his career games coming with Carolina. In three NFL seasons, Ricci has caught only nine of 12 targets for 102 yards and no touchdowns with the Panthers. Ricci is more of a blocker than a pass-catcher and will now represent tight end depth for the Patriots throughout the offseason and into training camp this summer. The most likely scenario is that he'll effective serve as a fullback for new Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Sunday, January 19, 9:24 PM

According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar (arm) is questionable to return to Sunday's playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. The tight end sustained this injury during the second half. Before exiting, Kolar did not see a target in the passing game but did log one tackle on special teams. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely will continue operating as the top tight ends for Baltimore.