MATT SOKOL NEWS

Let go by Pittsburgh The Steelers cut Sokol from the practice squad Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Impact Sokol spent training camp with Pittsburgh and resurfaced on the team's practice squad mid-September, but he wasn't elevated Week 3. The veteran tight end will now have to search for a similar depth role elsewhere in the league.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Back in Pittsburgh Sokol signed with the Steelers' practice squad Wednesday.

Impact Sokol spent training camp in Pittsburgh, but he was unable to earn a spot on the active roster. He'll now get another chance with the franchise, which will allow him the opportunity to work his way to the 53-man roster.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Cut by Pittsburgh Sokol was waived by the Steelers on Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Impact Sokol caught on with the Steelers in late July after spending 2023 with the Patriots. Sokol failed to register a catch across three preseason games, and assuming he clears waivers, he'll explore his next options.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to Pittsburgh The Steelers signed Sokol to a contract Tuesday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Impact The move corresponds with Pittsburgh cutting wide receiver Marquez Callaway. Sokol was a member of the Patriots' practice squad in 2023 and appeared in the final three games of the regular season, playing 14 snaps on offense and six snaps on special teams. Sokol will look to crack the Steelers' 53-man roster as a depth tight end behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Back to practice squad Sokol reverted to the Patriots' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Sokol played three snaps on offense in the Patriots' regular-season finale against the Jets on Sunday and did not record a stat. Sokol appeared in three games in 2023 and played 14 snaps on offense and six snaps on special teams over that span.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts to practice squad The Patriots reverted Sokol to their practice squad Monday.

Impact The tight end was elevated from the practice squad for each of New England's last two games, but he only ended up playing 11 combined offensive snaps and seeing no targets. It's possible that Sokol will be elevated again if starter Hunter Henry misses a third straight game with a knee injury, but Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown are the next two tight ends on the depth chart.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Signs new deal with Pats New England signed Sokol to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Impact Sokol was claimed off waivers by the Patriots in May before being signed to the team's practice squad. The 26-year-old tight end was then elevated for three games this regular season, including each of the final two weeks. Sokol still did not log a target during the 2022 campaign, and he'll now look to record the first reception of his NFL career heading into the 2023 season.

JANUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts back to practice squad Sokol reverted to the Patriots' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Sokol was brought up for Sunday's regular-season finale loss to Buffalo with No. 2 tight end Jonnu Smith (concussion) inactive for the second time in as many weeks. However, the practice-squad tight end went without a target for the third game in a row this season, as he played just six offensive snaps behind Hunter Henry, the latter of whom played all 68 offensive snaps. Sokol will now enter the offseason still in search of the first reception of his career.

JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brought back up to active roster The Patriots elevated Sokol from the practice squad Saturday for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Impact Sokol will be elevated for the second game in a row to end the 2022 regular season. The 27-year-old was brought up ahead of the Week 17 game against Miami and played 10 offensive snaps in place of Jonnu Smith (concussion), though Sokol did not see a target against the Dolphins. With Smith remaining out Week 18, Sokol should once again serve as New England's only other available tight end behind starter Hunter Henry.

JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Put back on practice squad The Patriots' reverted Sokol to their practice squad Monday.

Impact Sokol was brought up to the active roster ahead of Week 17's win over Miami while No. 2 tight end Jonnu Smith sat out with a concussion. Sokol logged 10 snaps against the Dolphins and didn't see any targets. He could be moved up to the active roster again Week 18 if Smith is forced to miss the must-win affair against Buffalo, though the bulk of work at tight end will likely go to Hunter Henry, who tallied 60 snaps and caught five of six targets for 52 yards Week 17.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated for Week 17 The Patriots elevated Sokol from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of the Week 17 contest against Miami, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Sokol was previously elevated for the Week 5 win over Detroit, and he played eight offensive snaps in that contest, though he didn't receive any targets or record any stats. Jonnu Smith (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, and Hunter Henry (knee) is questionable, so Sokol could be in line for a healthy dose of snaps.

JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bumped back to practice squad Sokol reverted to the Patriots' practice squad following Sunday's 29-0 win over the Lions.

Impact Sokol was elevated from the practice squad for the first time this season with No. 2 tight end Jonnu Smith (ankle) ruled inactive ahead of Sunday's win over Detroit. As a result, the 26-year-old played eight of New England's 60 offensive snaps behind starter Hunter Henry, though he did not attract a target from starting quarterback Bailey Zappe. Sokol will now be eligible for two more such elevations while on the Patriots' practice squad this season.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated to active roster The Patriots elevated Sokol on Saturday from their practice squad to their active roster for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Impact Sokol failed to make the Patriots' initial 53-man roster, but he joined the practice squad after clearing waivers and is in line to make his season debut in Week 5. He'll likely operate as the primary backup to Hunter Henry, with Jonnu Smith (ankle) unlikely to play.

OCTOBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joins Patriots Sokol was claimed off waivers by the Patriots on Wednesday, Chris Mason of MassLive.com reports.

Impact Sokol signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions in January, but he ultimately was cut last Tuesday. The 26-year-old last played in the NFL with the Chargers in 2020, appearing in two games. He'll likely compete with the duo of 2020 third-round selections Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene for a roster spot.

MAY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Lions The Lions signed Sokol to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.

Impact Sokol was waived by the Chargers in late August and will now attempt to carve out a role with Detroit to begin the offseason. He appeared in two games with the Chargers in 2020 but didn't see any targets.

JANUARY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jaguars place WR Tavon Austin on short-term injured reserve

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed receiver Tavon Austin on injured reserve Thursday, two days after coach Urban Meyer said he was good to go for the season opener

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Let go by Chargers Sokol was waived by the Chargers on Monday.

Impact Sokol was buried on the Chargers' depth chart at tight end, which makes this decision relatively unsurprising. He spent the latter half of last season on their practice squad after getting dropped by Detroit. He is now set to again look for a new destination.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Signed to active roster Sokol was elevated from the Chargers' practice squad Friday.

Impact Positions have recently opened up on Los Angeles' active roster, with both Casey Hayward (hamstring) and Malik Jefferson (shoulder) getting moved to injured reserve. The 25-year-old tight end will have an opportunity at a second consecutive appearance to close out the 2020 campaign, this time against the defending-champion Chiefs. During his NFL debut Week 16 against Denver, Sokol fielded all 13 of his snaps on special teams.

JANUARY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Chargers' Bosa, Allen among 6 starters ruled out vs. Chiefs

The Los Angeles Chargers will be without six starters, including both of their Pro Bowl selections for Sunday’s season finale at Kansas City

JANUARY 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Heads back to practice squad Sokol reverted to the Chargers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact Sokol registered 13 special-teams snaps during Sunday's 19-16 win over Denver, but he negatively impacted the team with a holding penalty on a fourth-quarter punt return. The tight end remains a developmental option for Los Angeles, with a Week 16 appearance marking the first of his career.

DECEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted to active roster Sokol was elevated to the Chargers' active roster from the practice squad Saturday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact The 25-year-old joined the Chargers' practice squad in late October after being let go by the Lions, and he'll be a gameday elevation for Week 16. Sokol has yet to make his NFL debut since going undrafted out of Michigan State in 2019.

DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Inks practice squad deal The Chargers signed Sokol to the practice squad Saturday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Sokol was let go from the Lions' practice squad last week, but he'll get a fresh start in Los Angeles. The second-year tight end out of Michigan State has yet to make his NFL debut. With Virgil Green (ankle) on IR, Sokol will add depth at the position in case another tight end gets hurt.

OCTOBER 31, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Chargers activate Trey Pipkins from COVID-19/reserve list

The Los Angeles Chargers activated offensive tackle Trey Pipkins from the COVID-19/reserve list Saturday

OCTOBER 31, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shown door in Detroit The Lions cut Sokol from the practice squad Saturday.

Impact Isaac Nauta jumped Sokol in the pecking order and was elevated to the active roster Saturday, and the Lions opted to let Sokol go. Sokol is still seeking his NFL debut, as the Michigan State product didn't play at all during his 2019 rookie season and has yet to make an appearance this year. He'll seek a fresh start elsewhere.

OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lions put Julian Okwara on IR, sign CB Chris Jones

The Detroit Lions put rookie defensive end Julian Okwara on injured reserve and signed free agent cornerback Chris Jones

OCTOBER 21, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS