NFL Player News

Pelissero didn’t speculate on the severity of Branch’s Achilles injury, but said the star safety “will have further tests this morning.” We tend to know where things go from here, but we’ll let them play out and hope for the best. Branch was injured in the fourth quarter on a play that took place in the end zone and remained down for several minutes while being tended to by the training staff. He eventually made his way to the sideline with help and was later carted to the locker room. Branch has started all 12 games he’s appeared in this season for the Lions, totaling 75 tackles. 2.5 sacks, and nine pass breakups. Veteran Avonte Maddox is in line to replace Branch while for however long he is out.

Speaking on Sports Extra with Josh Moser, Rosenhaus said Hill is “progressing well” in his recovery and intends continue his playing career. Hill, 31, was released by the Dolphins after four seasons with the team, and still has a lot to overcome after suffering a dislocated knee and torn ACL last season, and is not a lock to be ready to go come training camp. If he does intend to play, teams could opt to bring him in and continue to work with him through rehab until he is up to speed, but it seems unlikely Hill would get more than a one-year deal given his age and current injury status. When healthy, Hill still has plenty to offer a team in need of an explosive playmaker, and could see several contenders line up for his services in the coming months.

According to an article published by the New York Post, Hickman was jumped by a group of four men in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel early Monday. The safety was reportedly taken to the hospital and has since been released, with no arrests made in the incident yet. This doesn’t sound like something that will affect Hickman moving into next season. In 2025, the third-year safety totaled 103 tackles, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions with the Browns after being named a full-time starter.

Rutenberg was one of three finalists for the job and now lands his first defensive coordinator role in the NFL. The longtime coach had previous stints with the 49ers (2020) and Jets (2021-2024), and helped lead a secondary that ranked 13th in passing yards allowed and 13th in net yards per attempt, while also ranking sixth in interceptions. Rutenberg will have big shoes to fill taking over for Jim Schwartz, who resigned after being passed over for the Browns’ head coaching job earlier this offseason.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Conner will be 31 at the start of next season and missed most of 2025 with a season-ending foot/ankle injury he suffered in Week 3. Releasing Conner would save the Cardinals $8 million against the cap in 2026, and would carry a dead cap hit of just $2.250 million if he’s released as a pre-June 1 cut. Conner rushed 32 times for 95 yards and a touchdown last season while also catching eight passes for 38 yards and another score. With his best days likely behind him, Conner would be an uninspiring fantasy lead back wherever he plays next season. It is possible he finds a situation good enough to land in the Zero RB ranks.

This report comes on the heels of the Dolphins making several cost-cutting moves to their roster on Presidents’ Day. As Schultz notes, the team would prefer to trade Tagovailoa, but “a cut is possible in the end” if they are unable to find a suitor. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last week that the Dolphins are willing to take on a portion of Tagovailoa’s contract to trade him to another team, but given the $54 million he’s guaranteed to earn this season, the team may be forced to release him and designate him as a post-June 1 cut. Tagovailoa threw for 2,660-20-15 in 14 games last season, struggling to adjust to life without Tyreek Hill (knee) who was injured in Week 4. While he could still be a serviceable starter in the right system, he’ll need to turn in a strong performance next season if he hopes to prove he can be a franchise QB elsewhere.

Westbrook-Ikhine caught 11 passes for 89 scoreless yards in his lone season with the Dolphins. The 28-year-old vet joined the team fresh off a 32-497-9 season with the Titans, but will now be free to sign with any team. Westbrook-Ikhine’s value as a field stretcher should be enough to find him a new home in 2026, but he’s unlikely to ever be a focal point of whatever offense he’s in.

Hill is one of several Dolphins players who have been informed of their release. The soon-to-be 32-year-old receiver saw his 2025 season come to an end in Week 4 when he suffered a dislocated knee and torn ACL against the Jets, but put together a respectable 21-265-1 line before going down. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes “it’s unclear when or if” Hill will play next season, but if he does, Hill will be a free agent for the first time in his career. The eight-time Pro Bowler should have plenty of suitors once he can prove he’s fully recovered from his injury.

Daniels signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Dolphins last offseason but appeared in just one game due to a pectoral injury. The eight-year vet has played in just five games over the last two seasons, but has 85 games of starting experience under his belt. If he can get healthy for 2026, Daniels could have some value as a low-cost addition for several teams on what will likely be a prove-it deal next season.

Chubb was acquired by the Dolphins at the 2022 trade deadline and they signed him to a five-year extension the following offseason. The veteran pass-rusher started all 17 games in 2025 after missing the 2024 season due to a torn ACL, racking up 47 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and eight TFLs in his return to the field. Chubb will be 30 at the start of next season and should still have plenty to offer any teams in need of help at getting after the quarterback. Chubb’s release will likely be designated as a post-June 1 release, which will allow the team to split his dead cap hit over the next two seasons rather than take on an amount just north of $23.5 million this season. Chubb is now free to sign with any team.

Robinson followed new Giants head coach John Harbaugh from the Ravens to New York this offseason. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that the Giants support Robinson’s decision to take a new opportunity elsewhere despite recently filling an open role in Harbaugh’s new staff. Robinson coached the Ravens’ outside linebackers last season. He previously worked with new Raiders DC Rob Leonard in Baltimore in 2022.