NFL Player News

Butker practiced in a limited capacity all week, logging his first practice repetitions since undergoing a mid-season meniscus trim in his left knee. Given the Chiefs’ Super Bowl aspirations, the team is unlikely to let him suit up this week if his re-injury risk is significant. If he plays, it stands to reason that he is good to go.

Person relayed that head coach Dave Canales thinks the competition for the last couple spots on the depth chart will be “very difficult”. With Adam Thielen, Tetairoa McMillan, and Xavier Legette locks for the roster, sixth-rounder Jimmy Horn Jr., 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker, and veteran Hunter Renfrow are among those in the mix to fill out the rest of the group. Horn could be the team’s punt returner while Coker posted 478 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie last season. Renfrow was a 2021 Pro-Bowler, but did not play last season. It is notable that Canales seems to think the competition is fierce and Carolina’s depth chart is one to keep an eye on, given Thielen will be 35-years-old soon.

The long-time Chiefs tight end will turn 36-years-old this upcoming season and has had rumors floating around about retirement. However, he indicated that choosing to play over retirement was not a difficult choice. Kelce said, “I know I’m getting older, but at the same time I still feel like I’ve got a lot I can prove in this league.” He is on the final year of his contract, which he addressed as well by saying “I got one year on this contract, I know that, and we’ll try and figure out something for next year...right now I’m focused on winning a championship this year.” Kelce is open to returning for more years beyond 2025. A championship run may be a driving factor behind that, as the Kansas City organization is perennially in the mix, thanks in large part to Kelce and his chemistry with Patrick Mahomes.

The former fourth-round pick spent the first two years of his career with the Rams before landing in Green Bay. Rochell appeared in 20 games for the Packers across two seasons, playing exclusively on special teams. He could see some run as a rotational corner in Dallas, but his role on special teams will once again determine whether he cracks the 53-man roster.

Skattebo has already drawn some buzz during the offseason program, with SNY’s Connor Hughes saying it wouldn’t be surprising for the rookie to slot in as the Giants’ third-down back. At 5'10/219, Skattebo has the size of a thumper but the profile of an elite pass-catcher. He caught 45 passes for 605 yards and three scores in 2024 while also running for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. Skattebo is a player who could quickly rise up fantasy draft boards if the drumbeat continues into training camp.

The former first-round pick flamed out quickly in Las Vegas before bouncing around the league with brief stints in Miami and Kansas City. The Chiefs released him after he was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, and two counts of possession of controlled substances. Arnette eventually found his way to the UFL where he totaled five pass breakups and a pick-six for the Roughnecks. He will look to earn a depth role on the Texans over the summer.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Alexander can make another $2 million via incentives. Green Bay explored trade options for the disgruntled corner this offseason and also made an offer to keep him in town on a restructured deal, but nothing came of their efforts. They eventually chose to release Alexander after no other resolution was found. As they tend to do, the Ravens quickly swooped in to sign the former shutdown corner. Alexander has still been effective when on the field in recent seasons, but his health has been a constant issue and was reportedly a source of frustration for the Packers organization. He has appeared in more than seven games just once in the past four seasons. Baltimore’s pass defense was a disaster over the first half of the 2024 season before turning the corner over the final two months. Bolstering the secondary with Alexander should help prevent a potential backslide in 2025.

It’s good news for the 23rd overall selection in the 2025 draft. Golden, Demovsky added, “should get plenty of playing time right away” in a Green Bay offense that could be without Christian Watson (knee) to start the regular season. While it seems unlikely Golden will establish himself as an unquestioned No. 1 option in the run-first Packers offense, he could see a good number of downfield looks from Love, an excellent deep ball thrower. Golden’s struggles against man coverage in college suggest he won’t be an elite NFL wideout by any measure.

New York parted ways with Carlson and signed K Harrison Mevis as they look for a starter headed into training camp. Carlson, who signed with the team last November and continued to struggle. He made eight of ten field goal tries and nine of 11 extra points over five games with the Jets in 2024. Carlson, who lost his starting job in Green Bay before coming to New York, will likely catch on with another team this summer.

Graff said Henderson has been by far the most explosive Patriots offensive player in offseason practices, adding that the rookie’s “development as a runner between the tackles will go a long way toward determining his success.” Graff said Henderson, the 38th pick in the 2025 draft, “probably won’t have to do a ton of [between the tackles running], particularly if Stevenson gets the majority of the early-down carries. But for this draft pick to be worth it, Henderson needs to improve as a between-the-tackles rusher as he presumably takes on a bigger role in the years to come.” Even if Henderson doesn’t take on a three-down role in the New England offense, he should have every chance to usurp Stevenson — one of the league’s least efficient rushers — as the team’s primary back in 2025.

This is not all that different than late May’s update that McVay gave when he said the Rams were making “healthy and positive progress” on said extension. Williams will likely sign an extension later this summer if the tenor of the two parties is to be believed at this point.