Who Should I Start? Stephen Carlson or Nikola Kalinic

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.

Wednesday, January 29, 10:19 PM

The Atlanta Falcons announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent tight end Nikola Kalinic to a Reserve/Future contract. The 28-year-old appeared in two games with the Los Angeles Rams in 2024 and previously played in the Canadian Football League from 2019-22 before joining the Indianapolis Colts. Since the end of the season in addition to Kalinic, Atlanta has signed quarterback Emory Jones, wide receivers Phillips Dorsett, Jesse Matthews, Dylan Drummond, Makai Polk and David Sills, running back Elijah Dotson, offensive linemen Joey Fisher, Jovaughn Gwyn, Tyron Wheatley Jr. and Matthew Cindric, defensive linemen Junior Aho, Khalid Kareem and LaCale London, and defensive backs Lamar Jackson and Benny Sapp III to Reserve/Futures deals.