NFL Player News

Per Popper, “Johnston has been working consistently with the first-team offense” while rookie WRs Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith work through their “acclimation plan,” following time spent on the pre-draft “banquet circuit.” Mike Williams is also expected to "[push] Johnston for playing time on the outside.” We can’t put too much stock in Lal’s “starter” comments for Johnston, as he is effectively competing against himself at this point, but it appears as though he is at least in the No. 2 wide receiver role, rather than being immediately supplanted by Williams, who returned to the team back in March. Johnston could still have mild fantasy relevance if he can secure one of the Nos. 2 or 3 wide receiver roles.

Strong was released right after it was reported that the team was acquiring Kaleb Johnson from the Steelers. He spent the 2025 season on the Packers’ practice squad and was elevated for two games. Strong will likely find work on another practice squad once rosters are settled.

A three-year starter for the Bengals from 2022-24, Volson missed all of 2025 with a shoulder injury. That didn’t stop the Titans from giving him $2 million guaranteed in free agent. That was evidently a huge mistake. Now 28 years old with zero appearances since the 2024 season, Volson won’t be guaranteed to get a second chance elsewhere, but it’s possible a more stable franchise figures out how to better deploy him as a reserve interior lineman.

Per Maske, the NFL’s substances of abuse policy outlines a three-game suspension for a “first offense of a violation of the law involving alcohol,” which would encompass the two DWI charges levied against Allen early Sunday morning. There is no telling when a potential suspension would be on the table for the veteran receiver, leaving fantasy managers in the dark as they contemplate additional variance associated with his profile. The additional details surrounding Allen’s specific arrest could lessen league discipline as well considering he was parked illegally and not in the act of driving, but the law is clear in that any person sitting in a vehicle with keys is considered with intent to operate while intoxicated. More to come as the most recent saga plays out.

Watson played heavily in Week 1 of last season but drifted into the background as Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins got a larger snap share. The 30-year-old is a good special teamer and has a chance to catch on elsewhere.

The Browns hope to sign the rookie pass rusher to the practice squad, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. This will happen if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Trice has not played an NFL game yet after tearing an ACL in 2024 and missing 2025 due to a setback from the initial injury. He did play a bit in the preseason. We’ll see if he can catch on elsewhere after the injuries.

Seattle drafted Henderson with the No. 199 pick this year. He posted a breakout season at Kansas in 2025 and was a strong kick returner in college. He is a candidate to land on the Seahawks’ practice squad.

Johnson had a star-crossed first season with the Steelers, losing most of his responsibilities after a key special teams error in Week 2. He was an interesting draft prospect and the Packers running back room has a lot of uncertainty to it with MarShawn Lloyd’s health seemingly always questionable and Josh Jacobs facing a potential suspension. Johnson is worth a speculative pick-up in deeper leagues.

The Vikes will go with Georgia product Brett Thorson instead. The writing had been on the wall for most of training camp, at least as much as that is possible in a “punting battle.” One of the final St. Louis Rams, 36-year-old Hekker has been punting in some form or fashion since 2012, but he is no longer an All-Pro type talent. He will nevertheless undoubtedly be kicking at some point in 2026 if he wants to continue his career.

Adam Schefter reports the Colts will try to re-sign him to the practice squad. The 32-year-old caught two targets for one yard last year for the Cardinals.