NFL Player News

Cupp (6'6/240) signed with the Aggies to much acclaim at the end of the 2019 cycle, but the former five-star recruit’s career has gotten off to about as rough a start as could be imagined. An ankle break and dislocation last August kept Cupp from debuting as a freshman. And while we don’t have a concrete recovery timetable coming off this week’s shoulder surgery, it could well end up costing him the whole of the upcoming season. Jalen Wydermyer will be tasked with leading the tight ends room this fall.

All missed the end of the 2024 and the entire 2025 season with a pair of knee surgeries, one to clear out damage done from a surgery at Iowa, and another to repair a torn ACL. He enters the third year of his rookie contract as a deep, deep sleeper in fantasy leagues behind Mike Gesicki, but All did look pretty good in 2024 while healthy. He should at least give the Bengals some usable multi-TE set snaps if necessary.

Boutte wouldn’t seem to have a real role with the Patriots after they acquired A.J. Brown on June 1 — one could argue the most surprising thing about that deal going down is the fact that Boutte wasn’t involved in it. Boutte is reportedly available in a trade, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported last week that the Patriots have received interest. It’s in Boutte’s financial best interests to show up.

Pittsburgh has been handling in-house business over the last week, re-signing Darnell Washington and Nate Herbig to major extensions. It would not be surprising if Porter — whom DeFabo classifies as a “hold in” in OTAs — as next on the priority list.

Clearly there was no rush to add him to the roster. It’s the first sniff of NFL interest we’ve seen for the former star cornerback since he was released by the Titans, and unsurprisingly it was with his former employers in Kansas City. We suspect this has a chance of happening at some point this offseason, but the 29-year-old Sneed is likely to sift through options ahead of training camp.

Peterman only started five games, but managed an incredible 13 interceptions in 160 career attempts while becoming synonymous with horrific quarterback play. He appeared in games with the Bills, Raiders, and Bears from 2017-2023, and will reportedly become an agent for Range Sports.

Grier was unceremoniously dumped in the middle of last season by the Dolphins after they started 2-7. Most general managers don’t get a second chance, and Grier had a long run in Miami. If nothing else, this adds a little experience to Detroit’s front office.

Kittle met with the media this week and said that the Achilles is “doing great” and he has had no setbacks. He even said it’s realistic that he could come back eight months after tearing his Achilles. The tight end turns 33 this October and still hasn’t been cleared for practice as he worked off to the side during OTAs. Jake Tonges will fill in for Kittle if he has to miss any time this season.

Hoecht missed the first six games of the 2025 season due to a performance enhancing drugs suspension. He appears in Weeks 8-9, but suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture. He made a big impact while active, notching eight quarterback pressures, three sacks, one tackle and one batted pass. He has been working to the side with the strength and conditioning staff during organized team activities thus far. Getting Hoecht back early in the year, even in a rotational capacity, would be helpful.

Underhill outlined his thoughts on the run game in a lengthy piece, exploring how run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti plans to build the run game around his players’ strengths. With RB Travis Etienne set to operate as the lead back, the team can use Kamara selectively in space, running routes, on screens and by exploiting matchups. It remains to be seen whether Kamara, 30, will remain in New Orleans, but it sounds like he could end up with a PPR-friendly FLEX role if he does.

Underhill believes RB Travis Etienne’s skillset “is exactly what the Saints need if inside zone and outside zone are going to remain the base.” That said, the Saints are also excited about Etienne’s versatility. Paganetti praised his intelligence, pass protection, route running ability and added that Etienne is more than just a one-cut runner. If RB Alvin Kamara, 30, remains with the team, Underhill believes Etienne’s presence allows the team to use Kamara selectively, rather than relying on him all game long. Underhill adds that the Saints’ play-action passing game was very efficient in 13 personnel, albeit via a small sample size. The front office added multiple tight ends this offseason and the coaching staff wants the running game “to feed the passing game,” which could mean more runs out of three-tight end sets. Etienne is looking like an RB2 with RB1 upside in an ascending offense.