NFL Player News

This is great news. Last week, Payton said he expected Nix would “have more of a role” at mandatory minicamp, which is scheduled for June 16-18. Today is the last day of organized team activities, so getting on the field before next week is a positive. Nix did not participate in team drills today. Payton reiterated that Nix “will be out there for some work next week for minicamp.” Hopefully, he can increase his participation level.

Per Underhill, Brown’s “momentum is undeniable,” and “it would be a surprise if Brown doesn’t play himself into a role on offense.” It sounds like making the final roster is a box that’s already been checked for the sixth-round rookie. Although he could have a very tough time becoming fantasy-relevant in re-draft formats, Brown is a player to know for dynasty purposes.

This is another step in the right direction, although Duggan adds that there was a “slight scare” when S Tyler Nubin got a little too close for comfort on a swing pass to Nabers today. Both players are reportedly “fine,” but Nubin might want to reduce his enthusiasm moving forward. Duggan believes Nabers could join “live team periods” next week, giving us a benchmark to check in on. Stay tuned.

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reports that Flowers appeared to be “pretty seriously injured” after suffering a right leg injury. Backup S Gervarrius Owens also suffered an injury. Backup defensive backs typically do not warrant monitoring, but the Bears are currently without starting S Coby Bryant (knee) and slot CB Kyler Gordon (calf). The Bears’ secondary depth is thinning.

Per Biggs, the Bears believe Jones did not suffer a “significant injury,” but it is unclear as to whether he will need time off. Reports on Sweat have been tougher to find. We do not yet know his status. Jones’ primary backup, OT Ozzy Trapilo, is expected to be sidelined “deep” into the season after rupturing a patellar tendon late last season. These injuries are worth watching.

Parsing injury language is always tricky, but when Payton said Waddle was experiencing muscle tightness, a strain made sense. The tissue was reacting to something. Waddle did not practice on Thursday and was seen limping while wearing a sleeve on his left leg. The fact that the team thinks he can return in just under a week from yesterday’s injury is good to hear. Week 1 is still a month away, so we like his odds of suiting up. The injury might end up costing him preseason game reps, though. We expect the team to be cautious with their star wide receiver.

Slater suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in his left knee last year. He took a trip to the medical tent on Tuesday, and The Athletic’s Daniel Popper later reported that trainers were working on his left leg. He resumed practicing on Wednesday, though, and was seen participating in team drills on Thursday. He appears to be good to go.

Finley, a rookie, spent four seasons at Missouri Western State, mostly playing defensive tackle. He earned second- and third-team All-MIAA honors there while contributing as a fullback occasionally. The Giants are listing him as a fullback now. They correspondingly waived TE Tyler Moore.

We had hoped to see Waddle get in a limited session today, after coach Sean Payton downplayed Waddle’s injury on Wednesday. Evidently, he needed at least one day off. The Broncos practiced in pads for three days straight before going padless today. If Waddle has to miss a session, we suppose a padless walkthrough day is the ideal one to miss. Hopefully, we see him back in action in some capacity before long.

It sounds like Stribling will practice in some capacity today. The second-round rookie has been sidelined since Saturday, so logging a limited session is likely. The 49ers have been hit hard by injuries, particularly in the wide receiver room. The depth chart has not yet been established, but Stribling has a very real chance to carve out a starting role before the season begins.

Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the deal includes another million dollars in incentives. To’oTo’o moved into a starting role after his rookie season and has been a mainstay of Houston’s vaunted defense for the past two years. He totaled 95 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2025. To’oTo’o was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract this season, but the Texans got out ahead of that and now have him locked up for two more years.