NFL Player News

Stafford’s presence for the opening day of OTAs is notable considering the veteran quarterback had expressed intent to seek more guaranteed money in his contract this offseason, placing doubt in his status for organized team activities leading up to camp in the process. It also speaks to his level of health heading into the 2024 season after Stafford battled multiple injuries the previous two years. Either way, consider it a slight boost to Stafford’s fantasy value for the coming year.

Burden got tangled with a defender and fell awkwardly during a one-on-one red zone drill at practice on Saturday. The 22-year-old wide receiver limped to the locker room slowly with a trainer. It’s unclear if Burden is dealing with a significant injury. We’ll continue to monitor the situation until more information is known.

Smith continues to miss practice with a hamstring injury. While the injury isn’t considered to be serious, the Eagles still aren’t going to push Smith in practice just yet. He figures to be the top target in the Eagles new offense under new OC Sean Mannion in the wake of the Eagles trading A.J. Brown this offseason.

The good news: Eagles GM Howie Roseman didn’t seem overly concerned that Lemon wasn’t practicing during an interview with Kay Adams on Friday. Lemon also was seen catching passes from the JUGS machine on Saturday. Still, it’s the fourth consecutive missed practice for the rookie receiver who also missed time during minicamp. Lemon is starting from behind, but it’s important to remember how long the 17-game NFL season is. The Eagles will certainly need production from Lemon at some point as the team revises its passing attack without A.J. Brown.

No surprise here as the Tush Push has been an extremely effective play for the Eagles over the years. Mannion, Philadelphia’s third OC in the last three years, is sure to change things with the offense. When it comes to the Tush Push, however, that’s one area that doesn’t need to be fixed. QB Jalen Hurts should continue to be the main beneficiary of the short touchdowns the Tush Push provides.

Bateman, 26, has never quite lived up to his first-round draft capital, lining up on the perimeter on 88.4 percent of his career receiving snaps. Allowing him to line up in the slot and as the Z-receiver could help him out, although true sixth-year breakouts are uncommon in the NFL. He can only be viewed as a late-round, boom-bust option.

Per ESPN’s Turron Davenport, Ayomanor was in the huddle early at today’s practice, which is a good sign. The second-year wide receiver left practice early yesterday after seemingly injuring his left shoulder. He appears to be good to go and will now resume competing for a starting role.

According to Kendall, “everyone in Atlanta can see” Branch’s ascension. The diminutive rookie has been “a standout in Atlanta from the moment he stepped on the practice field.” Zaccheaus is still taking most of the first-team snaps, so Branch may have to continue fighting for the starting role in-season. That said, the coaching staff plans to line up Branch at all three wide receiver spots. Obvious questions remain regarding Branch’s ability to play in the NFL at 5'10/180, but the youngster bench-pressed 225 pounds 20 times at the NFL Combine, so his strength is not in question. Even if Branch assumes a starting role, it will probably be tough for Branch to reliably return FLEX value, earning targets behind WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson, but showing up with a few big performances is possible.

Hafley does not yet know if Bell will be able to play in the preseason, but thinks it would be “a huge benefit” if so. Bell is reportedly making “significant” progress in his rehab from a late-season ACL tear and is now running, cutting, accelerating and decelerating. The Dolphins still don’t consider Bell “day-to-day,” but it seems as though they expect him to play in “real games” this year. Keep an eye on him. The rookie wide receiver could be worth adding off waivers in-season.

ESPN’s Rob Demovsky notes this is Kraft’s first absence since he returned from the physically unable to perform list. The Packers are having their annual Family Night this evening, and Demovsky believes the team is simply giving Kraft the night off. There is no cause for concern at this time.

The Steelers also brought aboard TE Lance Mason. They correspondingly released TE JJ Galbreath and WR AT Perry. Dowell and Mason will likely have to compete for roster spots this month.