NFL Player News

Woods was listed as questionable on the Browns’ injury report. The sixth-round rookie has been sidelined since the first week of August. Woods not going on IR means the Browns expect him to return before Week 4.

According to DiRocco, ESPN obtained court documents stating that McManus allegedly assaulted two women during the Jaguars’ flight to London last season. In the lawsuit filed on Friday in Duval County Circuit Civil Court, the women, who are identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II, allege that McManus rubbed himself against them and was grinding against them. It also accuses the Jaguars of failing to supervise McManus and create a safe environment for the airplane staff. We have no staff from McManus at this time, and the Jaguars have reportedly declined to comment through a spokesman, according to DiRocco. The victims are reportedly seeking more than $1 million and are demanding a jury trial. McManus signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Commanders earlier this offseason after going 30-for-37 on field goal attempts. We’ll likely know more about this situation in the coming days and will provide any additional updates as they come. Shortly after news of the lawsuit broke, the Commanders released a statement saying, “Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.”

Vea reportedly played 2023 at “a lot more” than his listed weight of 347, and the Bucs’ coaching staff thought it was affecting his game. He has spent this offseason working out with famed workout warrior Ndamukong Suh. Vea isn’t exactly the kind of player you want wildly slimming down, but he apparently crossed the fine line of getting too bulky. We would expect better this season.

Judon was absent from the team’s voluntary OTAs, presumably due to his desire for a new contract. Speaking at his football camp, he said, “Hell yeah, I ain’t giving no money away,” when asked about whether or not he’d be present for mandatory minicamp. The Patriots pass rusher signed a four-year, $56 million deal in 2021 and is set to earn $6.5 million this season, but has more than outplayed his current deal. In 38 career games with the Patriots, Judon has totaled 32 sacks and had four sacks in four games in 2023 before a torn biceps ended his season. Judon will be 32 at the start of this season but hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. While there’s likely some concern over his age and his latest injury, keeping Judon around on a short-term extension could work in the best interest of both parties. Last season, the Patriots gave Judon an extra $12 million in guaranteed money to move past some contractual differences. Perhaps a similar fix is in order for this year.

Whether or not Rodgers’ affinity for Corley translates to success in Corley’s rookie season is to be determined, but it’s high praise coming from Rodgers, who is known for latching on to certain receivers. Garrett Wilson will be the unquestioned WR1 in the Jets’ offense this season, but Corley’s ability to succeed in the short areas of the field and create after the catch could open him up for ample opportunity in his first season. Rodgers also said of Corley that he “really felt like [Corley] was going to fit in with what [the Jets] are trying to do” this upcoming season. The addition of Mike Williams only adds to the competition Corley will face for targets, but his skill set is such that he could be a weekly factor even if Williams and Wilson are seeing the majority of targets further down field. An injury to either receiver would immediately raise Corley’s fantasy ceiling.

It’s just pad-less practices, but for a player hoping to contribute to a team more than he did in 2024, it’s a positive sign for Claypool, who entered the league as a second-round pick of the Steelers in 2020 but has already been labeled a journeyman. The fifth-year receiver is on his third team in two seasons and has totaled just 22 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown since being traded to the Bears during the 2022 trade deadline. Claypool joined a rather thin receiver room earlier this offseason when he signed a one-year deal with the Bills. He joins veterans Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, along with rookie Keon Coleman, as new faces on the team. At just 25 years old, Claypool has a chance to contribute if he can get back to his rookie-year form in which he went for 62-873-9.

The departure of Michael Gallup this offseason immediately opened the door for Tolbert to step into a bigger role. Couple that with the fact that the Cowboys didn’t take a receiver until the sixth round of the draft, and his path to snaps becomes all the more clear. Archer reports that Tolbert has “joined [Dak] Prescott at the hip” this offseason, spending additional time with Prescott in hopes of developing additional familiarity and trust with the quarterback come game day. Head coach Mike McCarthy also praised Tolbert’s growth, saying he’s “taken leaps and bounds” with his confidence and understanding of the game. Tolbert entered the league as a third-round pick out of South Alabama and turned in a solid combine, posting an 8.76 RAS. He’s played sparingly through his first two years in the league, amassing 24 receptions for 280 yards and two touchdowns for his career, and has likely faced a steep learning curve going from the Sun Belt conference to the NFL. Any significant role would make him an interesting dart throw in the later rounds of fantasy drafts, as an injury to either Cooks or Lamb could thrust Tolbert into a starting role.

Fowler went on to point out that St. Brown is getting $28 million per year on his new four-year deal, adding that Aiyuk “doesn’t have to be the highest paid [wide receiver] in the league” but that he thinks he deserves to be paid like a top wide receiver. Aiyuk has totaled back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the 49ers and went for a career-high 1,342 yards in 2023 while scoring seven touchdowns. He’s currently set to earn $14.124 million in 2024 after the 49ers picked up his fifth-year option, but is hoping to get long-term security before the start of the season. It was reported earlier this month by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that the 49ers are planning on keeping Aiyuk for the long term, meaning an extension could be coming before Week 1. Aiyuk has not been present at voluntary OTAs.

Bennett, who was drafted in the fourth round of last year’s draft, missed all of the regular season while on the non-football illness list. Rams GM Les Snead said he believes Bennett’s time away was “very beneficial” while adding that Bennett was “exhausted” after leading Georgia to back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. Bennett is expected to compete with Jimmy Garoppolo for the backup job behind Matthew Stafford this offseason.

Baker becomes the fourth rookie from the Patriots’ 2024 draft class to sign his contract. The former UCF Knight has a chance to compete for playing time in a thin wide receiver room, but will likely be stuck behind Kendrick Bourne and fellow rookie Ja’Lynn Polk for snaps on the outside. Baker has good size and athleticism and averaged 21.9 YPR in his final college season, but he should be viewed as more of a developmental player in his rookie season, assuming he doesn’t get shoehorned into a role due to injuries.

Odunze was seen working individually alongside Chicago’s OTA sessions this week, managing his ongoing hamstring tightness. Eberflus told reporters that the plan is for Odunze to “ramp back in there next week during the OTAs”, indicating a gradual return to full participation is expected.