NFL Player News

The initial diagnosis was a knee hyperextension, usually a 2-4 week injury. Erik Walden will continue to start at right outside linebacker after rotating with Zombo against the Rams. Walden has just one sack through six games.

In his 2024 rookie season, Bowers caught 112-of-148 targets for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. His targets, receptions and yardage totals all ranked in the top 10 among NFL pass catchers. Per Edwards, the Raiders’ offensive staff is “in the process of concocting multiple ways to get Bowers involved in their scheme, with versatility being his greatest weapon.” This is the kind of stuff we want to hear. Finding a true difference-making tight end is rare. Bowers is firmly in play as fantasy’s TE1 this season.

Reese’s deal is worth about $47.831 million and includes a $31.2 million signing bonus. North Jersey’s Art Stapleton reports that Reese’s awareness and explosiveness have stood out at organized team activities, noting that Reese “always seems to be in the right position whether that’s in coverage or in the run game.” He reportedly showed off his burst on a blitz as well. The Giants’ do-it-all defender is evidently doing it all this spring.

McCarthy “has shown some things this spring that have been impressive so far.” Specifically, McCarthy is “layering the ball a little better” and is “not throwing a fastball all the time.” McCarthy’s accuracy and touch needed work, so this is good to hear. It still sounds like QB Kyler Murray is ahead of McCarthy in the battle for the starting role, but McCarthy is at least getting positive reviews at this time.

Sources tell Fowler that Murray is handling himself “like an alpha quarterback,” possessing “the experience and the swagger of a guy who has been to Pro Bowls and had success.” Recent interview clips involving Murray and fellow Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy reinforce Fowler’s sentiments, with Murray conducting himself with calm confidence. The coaching staff also complimented McCarthy’s development, but Murray seems to be winning the competition right now.

Per Fowler, QB Shedeur Sanders “has his moments this spring,” but Watson apparently fits well in coach Todd Monken’s scheme. The new offense has “some concepts” that Watson has run in the past, which allow him to freelance at times, and Watson “likes that.” The Browns are hoping that one quarterback does enough for the coaching staff to name a starter by the time training camp rolls around in July. Once a starter is named, we can begin to assess whether the victor is actually playing well, or if he simply outperformed an uninspiring teammate.

Both of the Lions’ starting safeties, Joseph and Brian Branch (Achilles), are rehabbing significant injuries. While it would be great to get one or both of them back on the field this spring, Campbell does not want to hurry his injured stars back and risk re-injury. Late in April, Lions general manager Brad Holmes said both safeties are “trending in the right direction.” However, last we heard, Branch was not expected to be ready to play in Week 1. Joseph will likely sit out spring practices, but seemingly has a chance to participate in training camp. Stay tuned.

LaPorta underwent back surgery in November and is still in recovery. The Lions’ offseason program includes organized team activities and a mandatory minicamp, sporadically taking place from May 27th to June 17th. A prior report indicated that the Lions hope to have LaPorta on the field when training camp begins in July. That could still happen, though he may need to be eased in after the extended absence. Things appear to be on the right track for his regular season readiness, though.

Olszewski was coming off the line, running a route, when he fell to the ground and “appeared to grab at his right lower leg,” immediately showing “significant frustration.” Olszewski’s teammates were reportedly upset by what they saw. This sounds like it might be an Achilles injury. Hopefully, it’s not. Olszewski earned first-team All-Pro honors while leading the league in punt return yards in 2020. Losing him to a significant injury would hurt the Giants’ special teams unit.

The nature of the “violation” appears to be purposefully omitted, although the fact that Swinton lasted less than three months with the club raises significant questions. It remains uncertain whether the full details will ever be released, with the only thing we know for sure being that Swinton is out in Pittsburgh.

The veteran lineman was to enter the final year of a three-year, $57 million contract in 2026, albeit with no guarantees. The updated deal lowers his cap hit by $7.5 million while converting $10 million to a fully guaranteed base salary and signing bonus, giving the player more security while the team gets more roster flexibility. Looks like a win-win for both parties ahead of training camp next month.