Who Should I Start? Stephen Carlson or Feleipe Franks

Saturday, September 28, 9:17 PM

The Chicago Bears placed tight end Stephen Carlson (collarbone) on injured reserve Saturday ahead of their Week 4 home matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Carlson, who was just signed from the team's practice squad this past Tuesday, suffered a serious collarbone injury during Thursday's practice and will now miss at least the next four contests. The earliest he is eligible to return will be Nov. 3 -- Chicago's Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. It's a crushing blow for the 27-year-old who was slated for his first NFL action since his time back in 2020 with the Cleveland Browns. The Bears will roll out their usual three-man tight-end rotation, with Cole Kmet set to take the majority of the snaps and Gerald Everett and Marcedes Lewis working in behind him.

Thursday, March 20, 6:54 PM

The Atlanta Falcons are signing former Carolina Panthers tight end Feleipe Franks to a one-year contract. The financial details of the deal have not yet been disclosed. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the news. Franks, a former quarterback, signed initially with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent back in 2021 but spent most of his time on the field as a wildcat QB. The 27-year-old was converted to tight end in 2022. However, he did not make an NFL roster the following season. In 2024, the Arkansas alum appeared in 16 games for Carolina, catching one pass for 12 yards on 45 snaps. He'll slot in behind teammates Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner in the team's tight-end pecking order.