NFL Player News

Benson continues to eat into James Conner’s workload in the Arizona backfield. Benson, who had 69 yards on eight rushes last week against the Saints, ran more routes than Conner and saw six targets, the second most among Cardinals pass catchers on the day. A far more explosive option than Conner, Benson should continue seeing a small but reliable weekly workload in a run-first Arizona offense. Benson would be something close to a top-12 option if Conner were to miss time in 2025. He needs to be rostered in all formats.

Rapoport reports Abrams is let go “as part of organizational restructuring.” Abrams has been with the team for nearly 30 years, but with John Harbaugh taking over and wanting more control in the organization, he is out as part of the new organizational structure. With a tenure spanning over four general managers and his own brief stint as interim, Abrams won two Super Bowls with the Giants and was a well-respected member of the front office. He is a candidate to be hired to another front office with plenty of experience under his belt, while the new-look Giants hierarchy starts to take shape with Harbaugh.

Minter has been heavily rumored to be the favorite for the Ravens’ head coaching role and just completed his second interview with the organization. He has ties to the Ravens organization after having worked under former head coach John Harbaugh and former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald for the team. Anderson reports the Ravens have finished their second interview with Minter and a deal has not yet been reached. He remains on Baltimore’s radar, though the team has a few other second interviews on the docket.

Harris coached defensive backs and was the passing game coordinator for a Bears defense that led the league with 23 interceptions this season. He interviewed with the Packers for their defensive coordinator vacancy and will next interview with the Commanders. With Brian Flores signing an extension with the Vikings, the Commanders are pivoting to other options for their defensive coordinator opening.

Harris is the Bears’ defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach. He played a prominent role in building the Bears’ defense this season and is an established leader around the league. With 13 years of coaching under his belt, Harris has spent the last six season with the Cowboys and Bears. A former player for the Packers, Harris is now interviewing for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

The Vikings made the announcement Wednesday that they signed Flores to an extension. The 44-year-old led the Vikings defense to back-to-back top-10 finishes by points allowed. He was interviewing for both defensive coordinator and head coaching jobs this offseason, but now guarantees a return to Minnesota if he cannot land a head coaching role. Flores is still in the running for the Steelers and Ravens head coaching vacancies, though he will get more time to build the Vikings’ defense if he does not get hired this coaching cycle.

Young tallied five combined tackles in the Rams’ Divisional Round win over the Bears. He starts out this week not practicing due to a knee injury he has been managing for a good chunk of this season. Also not practicing was DB Quentin Lake (illness). Practice reports later in the week will provide more clarity, but both Young and Lake look to be playing in the Championship game against the Seahawks.

Cross left in the Divisional Round against the 49ers with a foot injury. He was previously dealing with hamstring/knee injuries as well, with the Divisional Round being his only game played since Week 15. Head coach Mike Macdonald said on Monday that Cross is day-to-day, indicating the left tackle will play in the Championship game against the Rams. With backup left tackles Josh Jones (knee/ankle) and Amari Knight (knee) also dealing with injuries and not practicing, the Seahawks have slim options at the position if Cross cannot go.

Darnold was dealing with an oblique injury last week and he reportedly did not throw a football between suffering the injury Thursday and the Divisional Round on Saturday. However, he did not look hindered in the Seahawks’ win over the 49ers, tossing for 124 yards and a touchdown on 17 passing attempts. Darnold starts off the week limited in practice and is in line to play in the NFC Championship against the Rams.

Landry has been dealing with the knee issue for a few weeks now but played through it the first two playoff games for the Patriots. Also not practicing was LB Marte Mapu (hip). Mapu has not played in the playoffs yet, so he is more of a question mark. Given he has played through the knee injury already, Landry has a better chance of playing in the AFC Championship.

Lynn, 57, has served in his current roles over the last two seasons. In the two seasons before that, he served as the 49ers’ assistant head coach and running backs coach. He spent the 2021 season as the Lions’ offensive coordinator following a four-year run as the Chargers’ head coach.