- Brenden Bates
- #82
- Team CLE
- Pos TE
- Status AActive
-
Under team control
Bates caught four of five targets for 48 yards over a combined nine regular-season games for Houston and Cleveland in 2025.
Analysis: 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 (groin) and David Njoku (knee). Bates will become an exclusive rights free agent and can be brought back for one year at the league minimum.
Published: Thu, Jan 8 at 6:41pm by Rotowire.com
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No injury designation
Bates logged a full practice Friday and carries no injury designation heading into Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Analysis: 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-squad 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.
Published: Fri, Jan 2 at 4:18pm by Rotowire.com
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Logs full practice Thursday
Bates (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Thu, Jan 1 at 1:25pm by Rotowire.com
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Dealing with shoulder issue
Bates (shoulder) was limited in practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: 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…read more
Published: Wed, Dec 31 at 1:24pm by Rotowire.com
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Makes first catch for Cleveland
Bates caught his lone target for 19 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over Pittsburgh in Week 17.
Analysis: 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 early, which could lead to more opportunities for Bates, Sal Cannella and Blake Whiteheart in next…read more
Published: Mon, Dec 29 at 4:48am by Rotowire.com
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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.
Analysis: Bates was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday, but he 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).
Published: Fri, Dec 12 at 1:11pm by Rotowire.com
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Logs limited practice to begin week
Bates (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: 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).
Published: Wed, Dec 10 at 4:58pm by Rotowire.com
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Missing more time
Bates (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Titans, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Fri, Dec 5 at 11:41am by Rotowire.com
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Misses practice Wednesday
Bates (ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Wed, Dec 3 at 3:47pm by Rotowire.com
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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.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Fri, Nov 28 at 10:35am by Rotowire.com
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Likely out for Week 13
Bates (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Per Jackson, the Kentucky product is likely out for Sunday's contest against the 49ers after sustaining an ankle injury in the Week 12 win over the Raiders. Bates has appeared in seven games for the Texans and Browns this season, failing to record an offensive stat across 70 total snaps (41 on offense, 29 on special teams).
Published: Wed, Nov 26 at 10:14am by Rotowire.com
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Bound for Cleveland
The Browns claimed Bates off waivers from the Texans on Monday.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Mon, Oct 27 at 3:38pm by Rotowire.com
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Jettisoned by Houston
The Texans waived Bates from the 53-man roster Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: 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 the Week 8 home game against San Francisco.
Published: Sat, Oct 25 at 3:28pm by Rotowire.com
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Practices in full Thursday
Bates (wrist) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Thu, Oct 23 at 4:09pm by Rotowire.com
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Dealing with wrist injury
Bates was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a wrist injury.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Wed, Oct 22 at 5:51pm by Rotowire.com
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Two grabs in win
Bates caught both of his targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 44-10 win over Baltimore in Week 5.
Analysis: Bates served as the third tight end for the second consecutive week, playing 13 snaps behind Dalton Schultz and Harrison Bryant. Bates' two catches came on the final drive of the game.
Published: Mon, Oct 6 at 5:16am by Rotowire.com
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Headed to Houston
Bates signed with the Texans on Wednesday.
Analysis: 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, but failed 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.
Published: Wed, Sep 17 at 9:27am by Rotowire.com
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Terminates contract with Cleveland
Bates terminated his practice squad contract with the Browns on Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Tue, Sep 16 at 4:54pm by Rotowire.com
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Joins Cleveland's practice squad
The Browns signed Bates to their practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Fri, Aug 29 at 4:14pm by Rotowire.com
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Waived by Cleveland
Bates was waived by the Browns on Wednesday.
Analysis: Bates made it through cutdown day Tuesday but was then one of two players let go to make room for a pair of waiver claims Wednesday. If Bates isn't claimed himself, he could potentially rejoin the organization on the practice squad.
Published: Wed, Aug 27 at 12:11pm by Rotowire.com
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Goes without catch in rookie season
Bates played the final two games of the season for the Browns, garnering one target over 15 snaps on offense.
Analysis: After appearing in five games for the Jets from Weeks 2 through 6 while getting most of his playing time on special teams, Bates was waived in October. The Jets then re-signed Bates to their practice squad before the Browns signed him to a two-year deal in December. He'll remain in Cleveland in 2025 but will likely have to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster throughout training camp and the preseason.
Published: Thu, Jan 9 at 5:33am by Rotowire.com
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Poached by Cleveland
The Browns signed Bates off the Jets' practice squad Wednesday.
Analysis: Bates suited up for five games with New York early in the season, before bumping down to the team's practice squad mid-October. The undrafted rookie out of Kentucky is still looking for an opportunity to log his first career catch in the NFL.
Published: Wed, Dec 18 at 8:44am by Rotowire.com
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Back with Gang Green
The Jets signed Bates to the practice squad Saturday.
Analysis: Bates was waived by the Jets on Thursday after appearing in each of the last five regular-season games. He had the option of signing with another team after clearing waivers, but he has opted to stick around in New York.
Published: Sat, Oct 19 at 2:05pm by Rotowire.com
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Let go by Jets
The Jets waived Bates on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Bates was claimed off waivers by the Jets in late August after the undrafted tight end was unable to make the Bears' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. Bates was a healthy scratch in Week 1, but he has played in each of the Jets' last five regular-season games and has contributed on both offense and special teams, though he has not recorded a stat over that span. Assuming he clears waivers, Bates will look to join a team in need of tight end depth.
Published: Thu, Oct 17 at 4:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Lands with Jets
Bates was claimed off waivers by the Jets on Wednesday, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Analysis: Bates fills the third spot on a Jets tight end depth chart that previously had only two players: Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert. The undrafted rookie out of Kentucky had been in camp with the Bears but was placed on waivers Tuesday. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Bates is known more for his blocking than his pass catching ability.
Published: Wed, Aug 28 at 1:19pm by Rotowire.com
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Waived by Chicago
Bates was waived by Chicago on Tuesday.
Analysis: Bates was signed as an undrafted free agent in May, yet he was unable to make the 53-man roster in Chicago. Though he wasn't able to secure a roster spot behind fellow tight ends Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett and Marcedes Lewis, the 24-year-old's prowess as a blocker could help him to catch on with a practice squad around the league.
Published: Tue, Aug 27 at 6:29pm by Rotowire.com
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