NFL Player News

The phenom-level tight end prospect suffered a foot injury in the middle of August and missed a few weeks of practice, but Pierce told reporters, “Sometimes you gotta protect them from themselves, so that’s all it is.” Bowers will be at practice on Wednesday. Even if he gets listed as a limited participant, fantasy managers can count on him suiting up for his debut versus LA. Bowers will be a volatile TE1 to open the season.

According to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, Fannin’s deal is worth a total of $6.7 million. The Browns selected Fannin with the No. 67 overall pick in this year’s draft, and while he may not earn a significant role in his rookie season, he could be in line to make more of an impact in 2026 if David Njoku walks after his contract expires at the end of the 2025 season. Fannin caught 117 passes for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season at Bowling Green. Known more for his pass-catching prowess than his abilities as a blocker, Fannin could prove to be a sneaky fantasy value this season if Njoku were to ever miss time.

This news comes from an article published by Jeremy Fowler and ESPN’s Saints writer, Katherine Terrell. According to the article, folks around the league do believe Carr is injured, but “not everyone believes it’s the full story” of why Carr opted for retirement. While Carr did not have permission to speak to teams, it’s reported that the team “didn’t consider it a major issue” due to his 11-year tenure in the league, and the fact that 2025 was the last year he would be receiving guaranteed money on his deal. In short, the Saints were likely headed for a split one way or another after the 2025 season. There are also some who believe that Carr and the Saints were not on good terms, in part due to his lack of a relationship with newly minted head coach Kellen Moore, who never officially committed to Carr as a starter. The two never even had a meeting in person. It’s been reported by ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio that it’s “extremely unlikely” Carr will return to play in 2026 — or ever again. That said, if his injured shoulder isn’t the sole reason for his departure, we can’t rule out a potential return if Carr, 34, gets the itch to play again.

Stefanski in a recent interview was complimentary of the Browns’ fifth-round draft selection without giving away too much about how the team’s quarterback competition might play out over the next few months. “None of these guys are finished products, and Shedeur certainly has things he can work on,” Stefanski said, adding Sanders is unbothered by his slide in the 2025 NFL Draft. “But in terms of the person, in terms of the kid who’s willing to work, I think that’s who we’re getting. ... We’re getting a guy that really is not so concerned about where he landed in this draft, but he is willing to put in the work and that’s what we’re going to do.” Sanders will compete for the Browns’ Week 1 starting job with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel, who last week took reps ahead of Sanders during Cleveland’s rookie minicamp.

The problem with that otherwise sensible opinion, of course, is that it is extremely unlikely “all goes well” with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on a roster that found itself picking at No. 3 overall last month. If the Giants are genuinely serious about redshirting Dart for a year, it will be easier than most places because of the presence of two veteran quarterbacks instead of just one, but coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen both have their jobs on the line. That almost equals “break rookie glass.” Teams have become more amenable to sitting blue-chip rookie QBs in recent years, but we would be stunned if Dart fails to make 2025 starts.

A 2022 fifth-round pick of the Colts, Johnson spent two years in Indy before last year’s sojourn in Boston. Waived at final cuts last summer, Johnson was claimed by the Pats. He’s been a steady special teamer and rotational depth piece up front. Johnson’s Colts experience greatly enhances his 53-man roster odds, but his spot will be far from a given. He turns 27 in July.

Humphries reported on his social media account a few weeks ago that he had agreed to a contract with the 49ers, but that does not appear to be the case. At least for now. Humphries tore his ACL at the end of the 2023 season and was released by the Cardinals. He spent most of the 2024 season rehabbing before signing with the Chiefs. He started at left tackle in Week 14 before hurting his hamstring and missing the rest of the season. He will continue to search for another opportunity.

Barmore was limited to just four games last season while battling blood clots. He told reporters on Thursday that he’s been cleared for all football activity and has been a full participant in the Patriots’ offseason workout program. He expects to be fully ready by Week 1.

Hunt was most recently the senior director of scouting for Philadelphia and spent the previous two seasons as their director of scouting. Before joining the Eagles, Hunt spent 12 seasons (2010-21) as the pro scouting coordinator for the Steelers.

In other words, he mulled pulling an Elway. “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,” were the words of Caleb’s father Carl to ESPN’s Seth Wickersham. Williams reportedly desired a trade to the Vikings, but he changed his mind after touring the Bears’ facility. “I can do it for this team,” Caleb reportedly told his dad. “I’m going to go to the Bears.” Williams acknowledged any attempt to force a trade would require going scorched earth on the Bears and city of Chicago, a process he did not have the stomach for. There have been zero reports of Bears/Williams drama since he made his peace with the idea, even after former coach Matt Eberflus’ clown show 2024 mistakes. It’s an interesting story, but one firmly planted in the past.

The deal is worth $24.9 million and is fully guaranteed. As is the case with all first-round picks, his contract includes a fifth-year option. The 49ers shed hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts this offseason and the bulk of those savings came on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end was an obvious position of need and Williams was widely regarded as the best pass-rusher on the board when 49ers GM John Lynch was on the clock. Williams totaled five sacks in 2024 and left Georgia with 14 sacks across three seasons as a starter.