GIOVANNI RICCI NEWS

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 • 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 • 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 • 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

Sticking with the Panthers Carolina signed Ricci to a new contract Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact Ricci will now avoid becoming an exclusive-rights free agent heading into this coming offseason. The 26-year-old fullback served as a core special-teamer for the second season in a row in 2022, though he also added the first eight receptions of his career for 100 yards over 15 games. Ricci should will likely enter the 2023 regular season as the clear front-runner for the Panthers' starting fullback job.

JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sheds injury designation Ricci (neck) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Ricci has been out of action since Week 10, but after he was able to complete a limited practice Wednesday, the 26-year-old upgraded to a full participant Thursday. He should return to his starting fullback role Sunday against the Seahawks.

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited Wednesday Ricci (neck) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Ricci hasn't played since Week 10 due to a neck issue. This isn't the first time he's logged limited participation since picking up the injury, so he'll likely have to submit at least one full practice before returning to game action.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Sunday Ricci (neck) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Impact The 25-year-old was doubtful to play due to neck injury and will sit out for a second straight game. Tight ends Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble and Stephen Sullivan could see some work at fullback in Ricci's absence.

NOVEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful against Denver Ricci (neck) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Impact Ricci was unable to practice at all throughout the week. The fullback is likely to miss a second consecutive game after getting injured in Week 10 against the Falcons.

NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out Sunday Ricci (neck) is inactive Sunday against the Ravens.

Impact Ricci was able to log a full practice Thursday, so his inability to suit up Sunday against Baltimore is a bit of a surprise. He'll work to return Week 12 against the Broncos.

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Full go Thursday Ricci (neck) was listed as a full participant on the Panthers' injury report Thursday.

Impact Ricci was forced out with a neck injury during last Thursday's win over the Falcons, leaving him limited during Carolina's first practice Week 11. However, the fullback practiced without any limitations Thursday, so he should be ready to suit up Sunday against the Ravens. While Ricci has strictly been used as a blocker in the Panthers' running game so far this season, he's hauled in seven of eight targets for 68 yards over 10 games.

NOVEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in Wednesday's practice Ricci (neck) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Ricci was forced out of Thursday's win over the Falcons early due to a neck issue, and he hasn't yet managed a return to full health. The fullback will have two more chances to upgrade his practice activity ahead of Sunday's road matchup against Baltimore.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Thursday Ricci (neck) is questionable to return to Thursday's contest against the Falcons, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Ricci was forced to exit early and he's currently being evaluated for a neck injury. While the severity of the injury is uncertain at this time, it's possible Raheem Blackshear and Laviska Shenault see more snaps while Ricci isn't on the field.

NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Serves as safety valve underneath Ricci hauled in all three of his targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 37-15 loss to the 49ers.

Impact The 6-foot-3, 240-pound fullback played 20 of the Panthers' 69 snaps in the win and set a new single-game career high in receptions, but Ricci is unlikely to see an expanded role in the Carolina passing attack as a result. The 25-year-old will continue to serve as a little more than a dump-off target underneath when the quarterback is facing pressure, or if the team's key pass catchers are well covered.

OCTOBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE