Going on reserve/NFI list

The Seahawks are placing Dickson (quadriceps, groin) on the reserve/non-football injury list, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Analysis: Coach Pete Carroll recently revealed that Dickson suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from groin and quadriceps injuries that forced him to the NFI list to kick off training camp. No matter how long his recovery lasts, the Seahawks are entering the season with Nick Vannett at the top of the tight end depth chart.

Suffered setback

Coach Pete Carroll acknowledged Wednesday that Dickson (quad/groin) has dealt with a setback during his rehab process, the Seahawks' official website reports. "(Dickson) had an issue coming back where something else got aggravated, so it exacerbated the problem of just returning where he can get in shape and all that," Carroll said. "We'll go at it, really a couple days at a time here to see how he does."

Analysis: This may explain why Dickson's injury has been reported as both a quad and groin issue. Whatever the case, the 31-year-old tight end has been on the non-football injury list since the beginning of training camp while Nick Vannett has operated as Seattle's top tight end. Dickson doesn't seem to have much shot at being ready for Week 1, and he may only be second on the depth chart whenever he's available to play.

Still up in the air

Coach Pete Carroll declined to comment on Dickson (quad) when asked about the tight end during Monday's media session, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Analysis: Signed to a three-year, $10.7 million contract in March, the 31-year-old tight end hasn't practiced since the offseason program. Carroll said last week that Dickson still had a shot to be ready for Week 1, but it becomes less and less likely with each passing day. Nick Vannett figures to enter the season as Seattle's top tight end, with fourth-round rookie Will Dissly potentially handling the No. 2 role.

Not ruled out for opener

Dickson (quad) still has a shot to be ready for Week 1 against the Broncos, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Analysis: Following last week's comment that Dickson wasn't making much progress, coach Pete Carroll sounded a bit more optimistic Tuesday, saying he's still hopeful of having the veteran tight end ready for Week 1. With Dickson on the non-football injury list for all of training camp, Nick Vannett has gone unchallenged as the Seahawks' top tight end. Dickson may end up with the No. 2 spot on the depth chart even if he does make it back at some point in September.

Not making progress

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Dickson isn't making much progress in his recovery from a quadriceps injury, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Analysis: Dickson has been on the non-football injury list for all of training camp with what was initially reported as a groin injury. It turns out he's actually dealing with a quad issue, but the bigger takeaway is that he doesn't seem to be nearing a return to practice. Nick Vannett is working as the No. 1 tight end in Dickson's absence, notably catching two of three targets for 20 yards and a touchdown (all on the opening drive) during last week's preseason opener against the Colts. Dickson may find…read more

Starts camp on NFI list

Dickson (groin) will be placed on the Non-Football Injury list for the beginning of training camp, Derek Lewis of 247 Sports reports.

Analysis: After initially being reported that Dickson would miss time to start camp, it's now clear that Dickson's injury is significant enough to warrant him being kept off the 90-man roster for the time being. The setback will mean the potential Week 1 starter doesn't have a chance to solidify a role for himself early on, opening the door for Nick Vannett or Will Dissly to work their way up the depth chart the next couple weeks.

Dealing with groin injury

Dickson will miss some time during training camp due to a groin injury, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

Analysis: Dickson projects to be one of the Seahawks' top tight ends in 2018, but he'll miss some valuable time in what is his first training camp with the team. It doesn't appear as though he'll miss significant time with the injury, but he currently is without a concrete return timetable.

Dickson is joining the Seahawks on a three-year contract that has a maximum value of $14 million, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: With Jimmy Graham off to Green Bay and Luke Willson still unsigned, the Seahawks need to replace their top two tight ends from the past three seasons. Dickson primarily served as a blocker while playing all 64 regular-season games during his four-year stint in Carolina, but he did show a bit of receiving ability last season when Greg Olsen missed nine games with a foot injury, memorably exploding for 175 yards Week 5 in Detroit. Dickson nonetheless finished the year with only 30 catches for 437…read more

Dickson finished with 30 receptions (on 47 targets) for 437 yards and a touchdown in 16 games played this season.

Analysis: Dickson went for more yardage than in his previous three seasons with the Panthers combined, making for his second-best overall campaign since entering the league in 2010. The 30-year-old's uptick largely came as a result of starter Greg Olsen missing nine games due to injury. Furthermore, most of Dickson's damage was done in one game -- his five-catch, 175-yard shredding of the Lions in Week 5. Although context is needed to explain his success, Dickson's improvement couldn't have come at a…read more

Dickson will settle back into a reserve role at tight end Sunday against the Vikings with Greg Olsen (foot) cleared to return to the lineup, Jared Allen of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Olsen's eight-game absence due to a fractured right foot has allowed Dickson to gain more traction in the passing game during his fourth season in Carolina, with the 30-year-old most notably breaking out for a five-catch, 175-yard outing against the Lions on Oct. 8. Dickson's production has tailed off precipitously since then, but after ceding the starting role to Olsen when the latter was activated ahead of Week 12, Dickson settled back in as the top tight end in last week's loss to the Saints…read more

Dickson caught both his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: Dickson got the start at tight end with Greg Olsen (foot) back on the sideline, but the veteran couldn't get much going. Although he hauled in the only two looks that went his way, Dickson hasn't topped 40 yards since his Week 5 outburst and will be even less likely to do so once Olsen is consistently available again.

Dickson is expected to start in place of the inactive Greg Olsen (foot) on Sunday at New Orleans.

Analysis: In nine starts during Olsen's time on injured reserve, Dickson caught at least three passes six times, surpassed 30 yards on four occasions and scored one touchdown. While not overly impressive, Dickson could be a decent fill-in versus a Saints defense that has given up three tight-end TDs over the last four games.

Dickson is expected to serve as the Panthers' starting tight end Sunday against the Saints with Greg Olsen (foot), who is listed as questionable for the contest, appearing unlikely to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: While Olsen avoided structural damage to his surgically repaired right foot upon returning from an eight-game absence last week, he exited the Panthers' win over the Jets early while experiencing soreness and will likely be held out while the team plans on turf in New Orleans on Sunday. That should pave the way for Dickson to resurface as a key part in the Panthers' passing attack, which had been the case while Olsen was sidelined. During Olsen's eight-game absence, Dickson corralled 23 of 35…read more

Dickson caught one of three targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 35-27 win over the Jets.

Analysis: Dickson's reception saw him top Greg Olsen's one for 10 yards, and although Olsen was forced to withdraw early from his return from a foot injury, if Carolina's top tight end is able to shake off the rust, Dickson figures to slide down the pecking order in the coming weeks.

Dickson is expected to notice a reduced role in Sunday's game against the Jets with fellow tight end Greg Olsen (foot) on track to return from injured reserve, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Analysis: Dickson enjoyed a few big moments in Olsen's absence, most notably a 175-yard explosion in a Week 5 win over the Lions. He piled up more yards in that one game than he had in any of his three previous seasons in Carolina, during which he had been limited to a blocking role while Olsen remained relatively healthy. Dickson's solid work this season might push him out of Carolina's price range in the offseason, though his overall track record suggests he'll probably struggle to draw interest from…read more

Dickson nabbed three of five targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 45-21 win over Miami.

Analysis: Dickson leaped for a seven-yard touchdown reception on a quick slant just before the half during Monday's game, his first score of the season. Week 5's explosion against Detroit aside, Dickson has been solid but unspectacular this season as he has seen an uptick in usage with Greg Olsen (foot) on the shelf. Those opportunities seem to be coming to an end with Olsen reportedly expected back for Week 12's game against the Jets.