49ers bring back DL Kevin Givens on one-year deal

Just yesterday, Joseph implied via social media that he would avoid the physically unable to perform list. So much for that. Joseph dealt with a recurring knee issue for the entire 2025 season, which was first reported on at the end of July 2025, roughly three months after the Lions made him the NFL’s highest-paid safety. Given Joseph’s post, one imagines he has a chance to resume practicing relatively soon, but only time will tell. Branch suffered an Achilles tendon rupture in Week 14 last year. As of June 13th, Lions coach Dan Campbell said there was no timetable for his return. The Lions also placed TE Tyler Conklin on the physically unable to perform list.

Boutte has been getting behind the Patriots’ defense thus far, maintaining the positive downfield play he demonstrated last season. The fourth-year wide receiver was the subject of trade rumors earlier this offseason. Training camp hype could get that news cycle going again. That said, having a deep receiving corps is a great problem to have. If Boutte is willing to buy into a rotational WR3/4 role behind WR1 A.J. Brown and WR2 Romeo Doubs, keeping Boutte in a Patriots uniform could be best for all involved. It will be very difficult for him to warrant FLEX treatment in re-draft formats with his current squad, though.

Kirk, 29, is entering his ninth NFL season. As is often the case with NFL veterans, Kirk has picked up his fair share of injuries over the years, including two hamstring strains last season. Fortunately, we are a long way from Week 1. There is no cause for concern at this time. 49ers acting head coach Chris Foerster will address the media shortly, so we could have clarity as to what the issue is soon.

Brissett was scheduled to make up to $4.88 this year, in the final year of his old deal. His new contract increases his compensation for this season, but he is still scheduled to hit free agency next offseason. The new deal includes a $15.5 million base salary. He can make up to $21 million via incentives. Things can always change in-season, but this appears to be clear-cut starter money — and it’s good news for Cardinals pass catchers. Although the Cardinals struggled to win games with Brissett under center last year, he was a very productive passer. Theoretically, he should be able to support TE Trey McBride and likely one of WR Marvin Harrison Jr. or WR Michael Wilson reliably. Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur confirmed that the plan is for Brissett to start in Week 1 against the Chargers.

A 2019 undrafted free agent, Givens, 29, has spent his entire career with the 49ers. He logged defensive snaps in 13 games over the past two seasons, partially due to a pair of pectoral injuries. He will now compete for a role as a rotational interior pass rusher. Hopefully, the pectoral issues are behind him.

Barrows notes that Bosa will “likely get ramped up in practice over the next two weeks or so.” It doesn’t sound like he’s expected to be a full go just yet, but it’s always a good sign for a player coming off an ACL tear in the previous season when he avoids the PUP list to start camp. Bosa totaled two sacks and nine tackles in just three games last season, but had totaled nine or more sacks in each of his previous four seasons. Still only 28 years old, Bosa should have plenty to offer the Niners’ defense once he’s back in full and getting after the quarterback.

The opportunity to play with Jayden Daniels and spend a season playing in front of his hometown could be enough to entice Diggs, a DMV native, to join the Commanders. There are reportedly four other teams that have also expressed interest in the 32-year-old receiver, but a signing does not appear imminent at this time. Diggs is nearly two years removed from the torn ACL that ended his 2024 season, and he still managed to post an 85-1,013-4 line in his lone season with the Patriots while appearing on just 55 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. We would expect the veteran receiver to find a new home sooner than later, especially with all teams set to being training camp later this week.

This is tremendous news for Judkins, who was last seen getting carted off the field after suffering a gruesome injury in Week 16. The second-year back is expected to lead the Browns’ backfield in carries after rushing for 230-837-7 in 14 games last season while adding another 26-171-0 through the air on 36 targets. His volume-heavy role makes him a safe candidate for a high-end RB2 in fantasy this season with a chance to drastically exceed those expectations if the Browns’ offense can improve on last year’s 31st ranked finish in their first year under head coach Todd Monken.

Barrett said Marks will “pick up some third downs” while also adding he could see more work in the passing game. While David Montgomery, who was acquired from the Lions earlier this offseason, is expected to lead the Texans’ backfield in touches this season, any uptick in the passing game is good news for Marks and his fantasy managers. Marks caught just 24 passes as a rookie last season, but the former USC Trojan was among the best pass-catching backs in the 2025 draft class, and amassed 261 receptions for 1,546 yards and five touchdowns during his five college seasons. Barrett praised Marks for his increased pace of play last season as he became more acclimated to the pro game and said his confidence “is at an all-time high” entering this year. Depending on the volume he sees in the passing game, Marks could have some decent stand alone value in PPR leagues even with Montgomery likely handling most of the early-down and goal-line touches.

For those who continue to follow the Niners/Aiyuk saga, this is no surprise. Aiyuk’s designation means he does not count against the 49ers’ 90-man roster for camp, and the designation requires him to apply to the NFL for reinstatement before he can be released or traded. Aiyuk has been active on his Instagram account, and appears to be trying to manifest a move to the Commanders to play with long-time friend and former college teammate Jayden Daniels, but the ball is ultimately in his court to take the steps necessary for anything to be facilitated. It was reported earlier this month by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that he “doesn’t think” the Commanders would be interested in Aiyuk if he were to come available. Aiyuk last played in 2024, posting a 25-374-0 line in seven games before suffering a torn ACL in Week 7.