NFL Player News

We’ve been pining for T-Rich to shed weight for years. It sounds like he’s finally done so, and according to Tice it showed during the offseason program. “I thought the young man out of Alabama came on,” said Tice. “He lost some weight, his quickness came around.” Richardson is battling Roy Helu and Latavius Murray for snaps in Oakland’s backfield. In all likelihood, Murray will be the Week 1 starter with Helu playing on passing downs.

Returning from his second torn Achilles in three years, Akers will now look to make the Texans’ 53-man roster this summer. The former second-round pick struggled last season while splitting time between the Rams and Vikings, running for 167 yards and two touchdowns on 60 carries (2.8 YPC) before seeing his season come to an end in Week 9 against the Falcons. Even if he makes the Texans’ roster, Akers will presumably be buried behind Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce on the depth chart. As of now, this signing doesn’t move the fantasy needle for any of the three backs.

The initial report comes from ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. ESPN’s Adam Schefter later broke the deal’s financial details, including its fully-guaranteed status. Turner should anchor the Vikings’ pass-rush for years to come after finishing top five in pass-rush win rate (19.6 percent), quarterback pressure rate (19.6 percent) and pass-rush productivity (11.6), ranked among Power Five EDGE rushers with at least 260 qualifying snaps.

It’s not the extension Packers fans were hoping for prior to camp, but it’s a key one nonetheless. Clark is fresh off a season in which he totaled a career-high 7.5 sacks and nine TFLs on his way to his third Pro Bowl. The veteran tackle has spent his entire eight-year career with the Packers and earned a PFF grade of 68.8, which ranked 33rd amongst all defensive linemen (min. 300 snaps). If the best ability is availability, then Clark is elite. He’s missed just eight regular season games in his career and just one game in the last three seasons. He will earn $29 million this season and is now under contract through 2027.

The report comes from NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson, who notes the Broncos also moved S Caden Stearns (patellar tendon) and S Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) to the active/PUP list. Sanders ruptured his Achilles tendon in late April. Initial reports suggested the team was hopeful he could return before the 2024 season ends. His move to the active/PUP list, rather than the reserve/PUP list, is a positive step in this regard. Should he remain on the active/PUP list entering the regular season, he will be eligible to return against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5.

We’ll assume this is a minor issue that will be rectified in short order. There haven’t been any reports of an injury to Reed, who has been present and active with the team throughout the offseason. The second-year receiver is hoping for a breakout campaign in 2024 after an impressive 64-793-8 line last season. In addition to Reed, the Packers also placed cornerback Corey Ballentine and offensive tackle Caleb Jones on the NFI list.

The report comes from team reporter Tim Twentyman, who notes backup T Giovanni Manu was also placed on the active/non-football injury (NFI) list. Davenport missed 13 games with the injury before signing with the Lions in the offseason. He is expected to return during training camp before suiting up as EDGE Aidan Hutchinson’s bookend in Week 1.

Team reporter Tim Twentyman reports Branch underwent an offseason cleanup procedure on his ankle and is expected to return during training camp. Despite the nagging injury, Branch played very well in his hybrid safety/slot cornerback role, leading Lions defensive backs with his 79.0 PFF coverage grade.

Reader suffered a torn quad in Week 15 against the Vikings last season. The veteran lineman signed a two-year, $27.25 million deal with the Lions earlier this offseason, but we don’t yet have a timeline on when he may return. Head coach Dan Campbell has already gone on record saying it’s unlikely Reader will return by training camp, which could make him a candidate for the PUP list once the season kicks off.

Love has reported to training camp, putting any concerns of a potential holdout to rest. While a “hold-in” remains an option, Florio says he has “poked around a bit” and that the feeling is a contract extension for Love is up to the Packers. He also reported the contract is “more money than structure” when it comes to what Love and his agent are looking for. Love was asked about his contract situation last week but was stopped by a PR member from discussing it, as said member stepped in saying, “Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. Nope, nope, nope, nope.” It seems as if the Packers and/or Love are avoiding making this an issue with the media at this time. We’ll see if Love takes the field with the team when the first practice gets underway this week. If he doesn’t, we may be looking at a “hold-in” until the two sides hammer out an agreement.

Bateman has been nursing a foot injury ever since he underwent season-ending surgery in November of 2022. The injury didn’t stop him from suiting up in 16 regular season games last season, but it landed him on the PUP list to start training camp last season and kept him sidelined for nearly three weeks of camp. The former first-round pick is expected to see a much larger role after playing well behind Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. last season. He signed a two-year, $14.4 million extension earlier this offseason after totaling 32 catches for 367 yards and one touchdown in 2023. Bateman is under contract through 2026, but it’s safe to say that this season is a make-or-break year for the three-year vet. He can be cut without a dead cap hit next offseason.