Giovanni Ricci - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Reverts to DET practice squad Ricci reverted to the Lions' practice squad Friday.

Impact Ricci played 50 percent of the Lions' offensive snaps in Thursday's loss to the Vikings. The tight end had just one target and no receptions, primarily serving as a blocker for the team. Thursday marks the 29-year-old's third elevation, meaning if the Lions would like to use Ricci in Week 18, they would have to sign him to the active roster.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated ahead of Christmas Day The Lions elevated Ricci from the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday.

Impact It's the third and final time that the Lions can elevate Ricci from the practice squad this season. He'll be available to play against the Vikings on Christmas Day, when he's expected to contribute on special teams while serving in a depth role at tight end behind Shane Zylstra and Anthony Firkser.

DECEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts to practice squad Ricci reverted to the Lions' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Ricci played 24 snaps (14 on offense, 10 on special teams) during the Lions' 29-24 loss to the Steelers on Sunday, but he did not show up on the box score otherwise. He's been elevated from the practice squad twice this season, and he's eligible to be called up once more over the final two games of the regular season.

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lions place All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph on injured reserve with nagging knee injury

The Detroit Lions have placed All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph on injured reserve

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • Associated Press

Elevated to face Steelers The Lions have elevated Ricci from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.

Impact Ricci will be elevated for a second consecutive game to contribute in a depth capacity at tight end. Versus the Rams in Week 15, he played 12 snaps on offense (zero targets) and 14 snaps on special teams. He'll revert to the practice squad after Sunday's contest.

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to practice squad Ricci reverted to the Lions' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact With Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) on injured reserve, Ricci was elevated behind Shane Zylstra and Anthony Firkser. Ricci logged 12 offensive snaps and another 14 on special teams but didn't produce anything in the box score against the Rams during Sunday's loss.

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to practice squad Ricci reverted to the Lions' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Eelvated for Week 15 The Lions elevated Ricci from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams.

Impact This will be Ricci's first elevation since joining the Lions' practice squad Nov. 30. The sixth-year tight end will provide Detroit with some much-needed insurance at tight end, as both TE1 Sam LaPorta (back) and TE2 Brock Wright (neck) are on IR. Ricci's playing time Week 15 will almost certainly depend on whether Shane Zylstra (knee) plays after being activated from injured reserve Saturday.

DECEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Detroit The Lions signed Ricci to the practice squad Sunday.

Impact Ricci was cut by the Vikings Aug. 26, and had not yet been signed to a practice squad or roster this regular season. The tight end was likely signed as a depth addition amid the Lions' absence of Sam LaPorta (back), Brock Wright (neck), and Shane Zylstra (ankle).

NOVEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dropped by Vikings The Vikings released Ricci on Tuesday.

Impact Ricci caught one pass for 11 yards during the preseason. The 28-year-old tight end hasn't played an NFL game since the 2023 season with the Panthers. He could be a practice squad candidate with the Vikings.

AUGUST 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Going to Twin Cities Minnesota signed Ricci on Tuesday.

Impact In a corresponding transaction, the Vikings released linebacker Matt Harmon. Ricci was dropped by Cleveland in 2024 before signing a futures deal with New England back in February, and he's now changing uniforms again. He'll probably need to impress Minnesota's coaching staff during training camp to crack the final 53-man roster for 2025.

JUNE 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Parts ways with Pats New England cut Ricci on Monday.

Impact Ricci didn't log any action last season after having been cut by the Browns at the end of training camp, but he resurfaced in the league via a futures contract with the Patriots early February. Now, the 28-year-old tight end will have to look elsewhere in the NFL for another chance at a depth role.

APRIL 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signs futures deal with New England The Patriots signed Ricci (knee) to a reserve/future contract Monday.

Impact Ricci spent time with the Browns last offseason, but he was waived due to a knee injury back in August and never got another chance on an NFL squad during the 2024 campaign. Now healthy, the journeyman tight end will get an opportunity to compete for a reserve role in New England's tight end corps.

FEBRUARY 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Let go with injury settlement The Browns released Ricci (knee) with an injury settlement Thursday.

Impact Ricci injured his knee in Cleveland's second preseason game against Minnesota on Saturday. He was competing for a depth tight end spot on the Browns' 53-man roster, but now that he's been let go, he'll look to catch on with a team once he's fully healthy. Ricci played in five regular-season games for the Panthers in 2023, finishing with one catch for two yards while playing 100 snaps (12 on offense, 88 on special teams).

AUGUST 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Expects to miss multiple weeks Coach Kevin Stefanski said Sunday that Ricci (knee) is expected to miss "a few weeks," Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Ricci picked up a knee issue during Saturday's preseason game versus the Vikings, and it sounds like it could compromise his availability for Week 1 of the regular season. Until he can come back, rookie undrafted free agent Treyton Welch could see increased reps.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hurts knee in preseason contest Ricci injured his knee during Saturday's exhibition game against Minnesota and has been ruled out from returning, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Impact It's not yet clear how severe Ricci's injury is or whether it will cause him to miss time beyond Saturday's contest. Prior to getting hurt, the 27-year-old put up a strong stat line with four catches on four targets for 32 yards against the Vikings. If Ricci's knee issue doesn't prove to be serious, he has a good shot of making the Browns' 53-man roster as the No. 3 tight end. He's also capable of lining up at fullback.

AUGUST 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

LT James Hudson III and FB Giovanni Ricci ruled out for remainder of second preseason game Hudson and Ricci were both injured in the second quarter against the Vikings

AUGUST 17, 2024 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM

Giovanni Ricci, Western Michigan Broncos, Wide Receiver Giovanni Ricci is a 6-4, 195-pound Wide Receiver from Loveland, OH. He has committed to Western Michigan Broncos.

APRIL 12, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Giovanni Ricci is passionate about football | Backstage Pass Staff Writer Kelsey Russo sits down with tight end Giovanni Ricci after his visit to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for the first time. He tal...

MARCH 21, 2024 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM

Breaking Down The Hakeem Adeniji & Giovanni Ricci Cleveland Browns Contracts Looking at the value, terms and details of Hakeem Adeniji & Giovanni Ricci's contracts with the Cleveland Browns.

MARCH 20, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Browns sign TE Giovanni Ricci Ricci adds depth piece for the Browns at tight end

MARCH 15, 2024 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM

Photos: Giovanni Ricci through the years Check out photos of new Browns TE Giovanni Ricci, who comes to Cleveland from the Carolina Panthers.

MARCH 15, 2024 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM

Browns Roster Construction Continues With Additions Of Giovanni Ricci, Tony Brown After losing tight end Harrison Bryant to the Raiders, the Browns added former Panthers tight end Giovanni Ricci on a one-year deal. Clevela...

MARCH 14, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Giovanni Ricci, Western Michigan Broncos, Wide Receiver Giovanni Ricci is a 6-4, 195-pound Wide Receiver from Loveland, OH. He has committed to Western Michigan Broncos.

FEBRUARY 26, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Heads to IR The Panthers placed Ricci (shoulder) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact Ricci was ruled out for the Panthers' Week 6 contest against the Dolphins after aggravating his shoulder injury during practice. The third-year tight end from Western Michigan has played mostly on special teams with the emergence of rookie Sam LaPorta. Ricci will now miss at least the next four games and will be eligible to return in Week 12 against the titans on Nov. 26.

OCTOBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Lions place All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph on injured reserve with nagging knee injury