Wyatt: Spears ‘has a chance’ for bigger role

It’s not a shocking relelvation by any means. It does, however, confirm that the new-look Miami offense will likely lean heavily toward the run in 2026 with Malik Willis under center. That should include plenty of designed rushes for the dual-threat Willis, along with a heavy dose of touches for Achane. The Dolphins this offseason signed Achane to a four-year extension worth $68 million with clear intentions to use the speedy back as the focal point of the Miami offense. Achane during a Wednesday presser said his goal is to lead the NFL in rushing yards this season. His 1,350 rushing yards in 2025 ranked fifth, while his 5.7 yards per carry ranked first.

Recovering his his 2025 knee injury, Penix was seen Wednesday practicing in seven-on-seven drills but told local media that it would be another “another four weeks, probably, before going to the next stage.” Penix added “it could be earlier.” “It really just depends on how my body is going throughout this whole camp process,” he said. It sounds like Penix won’t be available for Week 1, and could miss the season’s first few games, depending on how he progresses through the final stages of his ACL rehab process. That leaves Tua Tagovailoa, who is sidelined with a back injury, as the presumed Week 1 starter for Atlanta. Cooper Rush, who signed with the team on Wednesday, would likely be the emergency starter if both Tagovailoa and Penix are out. It’s a potentially catastrophic situation for Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and the rest of the Atlanta pass catchers.

Vea this week requested a trade after contract talks with the Tampa front office stalled. That he’s now sidelined with a back injury could be another way of Vea “holding in” until he gets a new deal from the Bucs or the team works out a trade for the star nose tackle. Vea, who has earned two Pro Bowl honors and has been one of the league’s top nose tackle since entering the league in 2018, could fit with any number of contending teams if the Bucs are willing to trade him for draft capital.

Wirfs did not practice with the Bucs on Wednesday as he recovers from the hamstring issue. The team will surely be cautious with their all-world offensive lineman as the regular season approaches. Wirfs in 2025 had one of the NFL’s highest pass block win rates (96 percent) and has been a key to Baker Mayfield’s success in Tampa.

The reason for Taylor landing on PUP was not disclosed. He’s expected to function as the Falcons’ right guard when healthy. Taylor was cut by the Chiefs for cap reasons this offseason but is still a capable starter. He signed with the Falcons on a one-year deal worth $5 million.

Rush will join his third team in three seasons after a rough stint in Baltimore last season. He was signed after the Falcons announced Tua Tagovailoa (back) was out for at least a week. Michael Penix continues to rehab from his 2025 ACL injury, leading Rush as the team’s QB1 for training camp at the moment. It’s not an ideal situation as head coach Kevin Stefanski tries to bring his offense to Atlanta.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter, meanwhile, reports Tua will miss time with a “tight back.” Stefanski said Tua, who is widely expected to be under center for Atlanta to start the regular season, will be back in action “sooner rather than later.” Schefter said Tua could return as early as next week. The Falcons signed veteran journeyman Cooper Rush after news of the Tagovailoa injury. Michael Penix, meanwhile, is expected to participate in seven-on-seven camp drills this week while he recovers from his 2025 knee injury. Tagovailoa’s status will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Greenard, who suffered the injury recently while lifting weights, “should be back soon.” Barring any setbacks, Greenard — who was acquired from the Vikings in a trade this offseason — should be OK for the start of the regular season. The Eagles and Vikings in April agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension that ties Greenard to the Eagles through 2029 and guarantees the linebacker $50 million. Greenard’s 13.5 percent pressure rate in 12 games in 2025 ranked seventh among all linebackers.

Douglas appears set to function as a mainstay of the New England passing attack in 2026 after the team used him in a rotational role in 2025. Douglas last season had a lowly 36 percent route rate and was targeted on just 20 percent of his pass routes. He was second among Pats pass catchers in yards per route run, trailing Stefon Diggs. Callahan said so far in training camp the Patriots have “featured every possible pairing” from the trio of Douglas, A.J. Brown, and Romeo Doubs, “at various times within two-back or two-tight end personnel, meaning Douglas is not always in the slot. Douglas is, however, the most consistently available of those three. The Patriots are stretching his usage and route tree more than in recent years.” Douglas could be worth monitoring in deeper fantasy formats this summer if he’s going to see a marked increase in playing time and involvement in Drake Maye’s passing attack.

It has not been an easy transition into the New England offense for Brown, per Callahan, who said Drake Maye — the league’s most efficient deep ball passer in 2025 — continues to connect with Kayshon Boutte for highlight plays in training camp. Boutte, Maye’s primary deep ball option in 2025, “has unquestionably been the most dangerous receiver in camp,” according to Callahan, while Drake and Brown have connected in just three or ten targets during camp. Miscommunication, Callahan said, may be a factor in Brown’s early struggles. It’s not a reason to panic for fantasy drafters, though Boutte’s chemistry with Maye could make Boutte an interesting late-round pick, especially if the Patriots are slightly more pass heavy in 2026.