NFL Player News

Austin was having a quiet game until a blown coverage — blown coverage is an understatement, really as Chidobe Awuzie fell down — allowed him to sneak into the end zone on a connection with Aaron Rodgers to give Pittsburgh a 26-24 lead and ultimately a win/playoff spot. The 26-year-old wideout will cede targets to DK Metcalf in the playoff game against the Texans, but should again see a handful of targets in that contest.

When asked about expectations for Washington, Udinski said he thinks “really, really highly” of the 24-year-old wideout. Washington tallied 19 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns in the final three games of the 2025 regular season, leading all Jaguars wide receivers over that span. Jaguars beat writer John Shipley said he looked like “arguably the best player on the field today” when discussing Tuesday’s practice. With Udinski also speaking highly of him, the arrow is pointing up for Washington’s utilization in 2026.

James will now be making $25.2 million per year, slightly nudging out the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton ($25.1 million per year) for highest-paid safety in the league. The deal includes $57.5 million guaranteed. James entered the offseason wanting a new contract before training camp and he gets one coming off back-to-back seasons of Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors. He remains a versatile and hard-hitting centerfielder for the Chargers, captaining the defense for seven seasons, making five Pro Bowls in that time. James tied his career-high with three interceptions last seasons and finished with an 81.2 overall PFF grade, good for No. 8 among safeties. He was set to enter the final season of his contract but will now be signed to the Chargers through 2029.

According to a police report from the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department, Jacobs was arrested on five charges following a May 23rd complaint of a domestic disturbance. He was booked in jail for battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. According to Jacobs’ attorneys, the 28-year-old is denying the charges. The NFL generally conducts its own investigation into domestic violence claims after law enforcement conducts an investigation. The commissioner exempt list is a possibility for Jacobs as the NFL investigates; a suspension is certainly on the table. The investigation and subsequent appeals will take some time but Jacobs could miss games in 2026 as a result of this arrest.

Macdonald said there is a “chance” Horton could return at “the end of spring.” Horton suffered a shin injury towards the end of his rookie campaign last year, ending his rookie season early. The 23-year-old looks to compete with Rashid Shaheed for targets on offense, with both having similar skillsets. Horton finished the 2025 season with a 13/161/5 receiving line, also returning punts and scoring one touchdown as a returner. Macdonald mentioned that Horton received good news that could accelerate his return timeline and that we could see him on the field as early as the end of spring OTAs. It’s still early to tell what his role may be for the Seahawks in 2026, but Horton is worth a dart throw as a WR5 in fantasy drafts.

That would seem to make logical sense considering Sweat followed Jonathan Gannon to Arizona and has been linked to reports indicating he in unhappy with his situation following the firing of his former head coach. Nothing substantial has been passed from a reputable source but this goes down as another notch towards a potential trade for the veteran pass rusher. Sweat’s contract could be a tricky one to unload after signing a four-year, $76.4 million deal with the Cardinals prior to the 2025 season.

The new deal guarantees his contract for the next two seasons while also adding an additional $9 million in 2026 and $8 million in 2027. The contract will still expire entering the 2028 season, with the veteran alpha also recently stating that he would like to play the entirety of his career in Houston. Agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus negotiated the amendment and are likely to get back to the negotiating table entering the 2027 season.

The soon-to-be 33-year-old made six starts for the Commanders a season ago after starting 10 games across 17 appearances for the Falcons in 2024. The veteran big man retired from the NFL in 2022 and remained that way through the 2023 season before playing the previous two seasons. While nothing is imminent, Goldman could help a Giants team with seven new bodies in the defensive line ranks.

Well, that’s not exactly a fantastic update for the injured running back. Previous reports indicated Irving would not take part in organized team activities but was expected to be a full-go for camp, a timeline that now looks to be in question. The nature of the noncommittal quote from head coach Todd Bowles raises serious concerns for Irving in a fantasy setting, particularly for a team that went out and added another pass-catching, change of pace specialist in Kenneth Gainwell this offseason. Sean Tucker demonstrated a clear knack for short yardage situations in 2025, potentially sending this backfield into a maddening three-headed timeshare come September, with Irving’s lack of practice time potentially earning him a slow start to the regular season. More questions than certainty await early best ball and season-long drafters this May.

Jackson, who attended the team’s voluntary minicamp in April, did not show up for OTAs last week, prompting questions about whether his contract situation was a real issues headed into the 2026 season. New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter told reporters last week that he has talked with Jackson and that he knew when his franchise quarterback would decide to show up for OTAs as the team learns a new offense under OC Declan Doyle. Coming off a down year in 2025, Jackson will look to bounce back as a passer and as a runner in 2026.

The Court’s decision not to get involved means the case can head to trial. Justices on the Roberts Court “rebuffed an appeal from the league, which wanted the case handled through its arbitration process rather than open court in New York,” according to the Associated Press. Flores in his lawsuit — which includes Steve Wilks and Ray Horton — alleges the NFL is “rife” with racism in its hiring practices. Flores, the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, brought the lawsuit shortly after the Dolphins fired him as head coach in 2022. The NFL said in a statement that it is “fully prepared to defend ourselves as this matter proceeds.” From 2000 through 2024, according to the AP, 31 of 173 new NFL coaches (18%) are Black. In that 24-year stretch, eight of the 19 head coaches (42%) fired after their first full NFL season are Black.