Brenden Bates - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Signs ERFA tender Bates signed his exclusive-rights free-agent tender with Cleveland on Monday.

Impact Bates began last season with Houston before the Browns signed him off waivers in late October. The tight end out of Kentucky played in six contes with Cleveland, catching two of three targets for 25 yards. Bates should compete for a depth role next season, but though long-time starter David Njoku was released in March, Harold Fannin (groin) has a strong grip on the Browns' primary tight-end duties.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Receives ERFA tender The Browns placed an exclusive rights free agent tender on Bates on Wednesday.

Impact Bates appeared in nine regular-season games with the Texans and Browns last season, logging four catches for 48 yards on five targets. He'll compete for a job at tight end this offseason.

MARCH 5 • ROTOWIRE

Under team control Bates caught four of five targets for 48 yards over nine games combined for Houston and Cleveland in 2025.

Impact Bates spent the first half of the season with the Texans before latching on with the Browns for the second half. While Cleveland often targeted its tight ends, most of those went to Harold Fannin (ankle) and David Njoku (knee). Bates will become an exclusive rights free agent and can be brought back for one year at the league minimum.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

No injury designation Bates logged full practice Friday and carries no injury designation heading into Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Impact Bates should garner some interest as both Harold Fannin (groin) and David Njoku (knee) having been ruled out for Week 18. Bates and Blake Whiteheart are poised to see more playing time, although practice team member Sal Cannella, who led Cleveland's tight ends in targets last week, could steal some thunder if added to the roster for the game.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Logs full practice Thursday Bates (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact A shoulder injury limited Bates' practice participation Wednesday, but his full session Thursday puts him on track to play against the Bengals on Sunday. The second-year tight end has stepped into a more prominent role in the Browns' offense during the absence of David Njoku (knee/personal), and the former could see even more snaps in Week 18 if rookie Harold Fannin (groin) is unable to play.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with shoulder issue Bates (shoulder) was limited in practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact Bates managed an ankle issue earlier in December, but the shoulder injury appears to be something new. The second-year tight end has been seeing more offensive reps of late, logging 53 offensive snaps over the past two weeks and catching one of two targets for 19 yards while David Njoku (knee/personal) has been sidelined. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin (groin) didn't practice Wednesday, and Njoku remained a DNP as well, so Bates could have a path to even more work Week 18 against the Bengals if he's able to suit up.

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes first catch as Brown Bates caught his lone target for 19 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over Pittsburgh in Week 17.

Impact After starting tight end Harold Fannin (groin) was removed from the game late in the first quarter and later ruled out, Bates and Cleveland's other backups got more involved. The reception was Bates' first since joining the Browns in late October. Fannin, who has been a regular on injury reports the last few weeks, is an important piece for the future. As such, the club may want to end his season prior to next week's regular season finale against Cincinnati, which could lead to more opportunities for Bates, Sal Cannella and Blake Whiteheart.

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to go Sunday Bates (ankle) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact Bates was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant Friday. He is now ready to play Sunday against the Bears for the first time since Week 12 versus the Raiders. The 26-year-old has had minimal impact on offense when healthy this season, hauling in two receptions on two targets for 23 yards in five games played (three with the Texans and two with the Browns).

DECEMBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Logs limited practice to begin week Bates (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact Bates has missed both of Cleveland's past two games due to an ankle injury. He didn't practice at all each of the previous two weeks, so his ability to log a limited session Wednesday suggests he's showing improvement. When healthy this season, Bates has had a minor role on offense, logging two catches on two targets for 23 yards across five contests (three with the Texans and two with the Browns).

DECEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Missing more time Bates (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Titans, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 26-year-old logged consecutive DNPs to begin the Browns' week of practice and is now in line to miss his second game in a row due to an ankle injury. While Bates is sidelined again Sunday, Cleveland's tight-end room will likely consist of Blake Whiteheart, David Njoku and Harold Fannin.

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice Wednesday Bates (ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Impact Bates missed last week's loss to the 49ers, and he's in danger of missing this Sunday's game versus the Titans unless he can return to the practice field by Friday. Even if Bates is able to play, he likely won't factor into the offensive gameplan because David Njoku (knee) is trending towards playing while Harold Fannin has the top spot locked up.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Jerome Ford questionable for Week 13 against the 49ers | Injury Report Brenden Bates, Adin Huntington and Alex Wright all out for Week 13

NOVEMBER 28, 2025 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM

Out versus San Francisco Bates (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Bates was injured in last Sunday's win over the Raiders. A deep reserve at tight end, Bates has logged just 41 offensive snaps this season.

NOVEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Week 13 Bates (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the 49ers, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Kentucky product didn't practice Wednesday and has already been ruled out for Sunday's contest after sustaining an apparent ankle injury in the Week 12 win over the Raiders. Bates has appeared in seven games for the Jets and Browns this season, failing to record an offensive stat across 70 total snaps (41 on offense, 29 on special teams).

NOVEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Bound for Cleveland The Browns claimed Bates off waivers from the Texans on Monday.

Impact Bates was waived by the Texans on Saturday, but he has found a new home in Cleveland, where he'll provide depth at tight end behind David Njoku, Harold Fannin and Blake Whiteheart. Bates appeared in three regular-season games for Houston prior to being waived and logged two catches on as many targets for 23 yards while splitting his snaps between offense and special teams.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Browns claim TE Brenden Bates Browns also waived CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM

Jettisoned by Houston The Texans waived Bates from the 53-man roster Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Bates appeared in three games for the Texans, who signed him off the Browns practice squad in September. Houston will roll with two tight ends -- Dalton Schultz and Harrison Bryant -- for Week 8's home game against San Francisco.

OCTOBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Practices in full Thursday Bates (wrist) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Bates was limited Wednesday, but his return to full work Thursday puts him on track to play Sunday against the 49ers. The 26-year-old tight end has logged 20 offensive snaps across three appearances this season, snagging two passes for 23 yards.

OCTOBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with wrist injury Bates was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a wrist injury.

Impact Bates likely picked up the injury during the Texans' 27-19 loss to the Seahawks on Wednesday, when he played nine snaps (one on offense, eight on special teams) without showing up on the box score otherwise. He'll have two more opportunities to upgrade his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers.

OCTOBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Two grabs in win Bates caught both of his targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 44-10 win over Baltimore in Week 5.

Impact Bates served as the third tight end for the second consecutive week, playing 13 snaps behind Dalton Schultz and Harrison Bryant. His two catches came on the final drive of the game.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to Houston Bates signed with the Texans on Wednesday.

Impact After terminating his practice squad contract with the Browns on Tuesday, the 25-year-old from Kentucky has found a new home in Houston. Bates appeared in seven games with the Browns and Jets in 2024, failing to catch his lone target while playing 70 total snaps (41 offensive and 29 on special teams). With Cade Stover (foot), Brevin Jordan (knee) and Irv Smith (ankle) all on injured reserve, Bates is expected to play a depth role in the Texans' tight end corps.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Terminates contract with Cleveland Bates terminated his practice squad contract with the Browns on Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact It's a potential sign that Bates plans to sign with another team, but that remains unclear at this point. Bates appeared in seven regular-season contests with the Jets and Browns last season and failed to catch his lone target across 123 offensive snaps.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Joins Cleveland's practice squad The Browns signed Bates to their practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Bates couldn't earn a spot on Cleveland's final 53-man roster for 2025, but he'll stay with the club as a member of the practice squad. Over seven games with the Browns and the Jets in 2024, Bates played a total of just 41 offensive snaps.

AUGUST 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Browns Re-Sign TE Brenden Bates & CB Dom Jones The Cleveland Browns announced they have re-signed TE Brenden Bates and UDFA CB Dom Jones to the practice squad. In correspondence, the Brow...

AUGUST 28, 2025 • NFLTRADERUMORS.CO

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