NFL Player News

Berardino believes Long — who is entering a contract year — is “about to get caught in the vortex of this sweeping Dolphins overhaul.” Miami drafted Stanford OT Jonathan Martin in the second round, and GM Jeff Ireland says the team is adopting a different philosophy along its line. “We’re not going to be as much a power scheme as we’ve been in the past.” However, Ireland insisted Long can “transfer to any scheme.” Berardino’s dot connecting is not illogical, but we’re skeptical an embattled organization like Miami will be willing to let a former No. 1 overall pick and four-time Pro Bowler get away.

NFL Insider Jordan Schultz said Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak and Broncos pass game coordinator and QB coach Davis Webb have come up “a lot” as top candidates, while adding that Chargers DC Jesse Minter “has come up as well.” Schultz also notes that Raiders co-owner Tom Brady has been “calling a number of Seahawks games of late,” giving Kubiak repeated opportunities to audition for the role live in front of one of the Raiders’ top decision makers.

Stover bent his knee backward while trying to reel in an off-target pass during the Texans’ Divisional Round loss to New England. He immediately clutched his knee and did not return after leaving the game. It looked like a catastrophic injury in real time. Fortunately, Caserio said he avoided a serious injury. Stover should be able to get in a normal offseason routine, barring any setbacks. The second-year tight end only appeared in nine games this season. He caught 12 passes for 76 yards. He also took on tush push duties for Houston, running four times for three yards and a pair of first downs in the regular season.

Schultz left the Texans’ Divisional Round loss to the Patriots in the first quarter and did not return. The good news is that it doesn’t sound like the calf injury will affect his offseason routine much, if at all. Schultz quietly led the Texans with 82 receptions this year. He finished second on the team in yards at 777. Houston has several young receovers fighting to see more work in 2026, but Schultz has proven to be a reliable check-down option for C.J. Stroud over multiple years. He will remain a solid TE2 fantasy option for the upcoming season.

The Texans’ offense didn’t return to its 2023 heights under Caley, but C.J. Stroud did bounce back after a troublesome 2024 season. He averaged 7.2 yards per attempt with a 4.5 percent touchdown rate and a 1.9 percent interception rate. All three of those marks were improvements over his previous season. Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans will give Caley at least one more chance to get Stroud back to his Rookie of the Year form. Then the team will have some big decisions to make on Caley and Stroud, who has one year left on his rookie contract, plus the fifth-year option.

Mixon reportedly underwent some procedures on his foot on his own and did not run it by the team’s medical staff last offseason. There were seemingly complications and he did not suit up for the 2025 season. The team never gave a clear answer as to what was going on with Mixon’s foot. Caserio saying they haven’t seen Mixon in a while might mean they know just as little as we do. Even if Mixon can play in 2026, we don’t expect that to happen in Houston. The Texans can cut him for $8 million in cap savings this offseason. We fully expect them to do so.

Hollins landed on injured reserve after injuring his abdomen in late December. The speedy field-stretching wide receiver would be nice to have on the field due to his blocking ability, but his absence allows WR Kayshon Boutte to remain on the field, operating as an effective downfield pass catcher.

Davis exited the Patriots’ Divisional Round win over the Texans after suffering a concussion. The veteran cornerback leads his team with 12 pass breakups this season. He has also intercepted two passes. Beginning the week with a limited session is a good sign.

Holani has been on IR since he injured his hamstring in Week 12 against the Titans. He could see an uptick in snaps and usage this week against the Rams in the NFC title game with Zach Charbonnet (ACL) done for the season. Holani could rotate with Cam Akers behind lead back Ken Walker, fresh off a three-touchdown outing against the 49ers. A bigger back, Holani could potentially take goal line touches over Walker.

Macdonald praised Walker as the veteran prepares to take over as the Seahawks’ lead back with Zach Charbonnet (ACL) done for the remainder of the season. Walker ran wild against the 49ers in the Divisional Round, totaling 116 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. “I think you’re seeing the results in the past X amount of weeks now of ... stacking all those reps,” Macdonald said. “I thought this was the most decisive he’s ran up to this point, and as expected, you just keep getting better and keep finding ways to improve, especially in the run game. He’s done a great job.” Walker has long had issues with looking for the big play and losing yardage instead of taking what the defense gives him. He’ll need to continue being decisive in the NFC title game against a Rams defense allowing the league’s tenth lowest rush EPA since Week 10.

Though Beane didn’t offer a timeline for when Allen might undergo surgery to repair a foot injury he sustained in Week 16 against the Browns, he was confident would not affect Allen’s availability for organized team activities in the offseason. Allen gutted it out through the foot injury — among others — over the season’s final month, logging 23 rushing attempts over the team’s two postseason games despite the injury. Barring complications, Allen should be ready to go this spring as he prepares for his age-30 season.