NFL Player News

The Colts are in the market for a backup after the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck pushed Jacoby Brissett into the starting job. Chad Kelly is suspended to open the season, leaving Phillip Walker as the only current option on the depth chart to back up Brissett. Osweiler had some moments with the Dolphins last season but has drawn zero interest on the market since the end of the year.

Bears rookies will return for one last organized team activities (OTAs) stretch next week, before the team’s month-plus break begins. Ideally, Burden returns and is able to re-establish himself as a must-start weapon in head coach Ben Johnson’s eyes. With Johnson’s reported intent to feature TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet in 12 personnel groupings, Burden has given the once-dog-housed DJ Moore and second-year WR Rome Odunze a chance to box out the rookie. While Burden is likely at least lock up No. 3/slot receiver duties, gaining access to two-receiver sets is critical for immediate, impactful fantasy football successes. Burden has also not yet signed his rookie contract, and one wonders what else he could be prioritizing while sidelined. Stay tuned for Burden’s hopeful participation on Monday. Final rookie OTAs run from June 9-11.

Jones has been sidelined since undergoing surgery for the fractured ankle he suffered in Week 16 last year. Second-round rookie OT Ozzy Trapilo and 2024 third-round OT Kiran Amegadjie have been competing at left tackle during the team’s mandatory minicamp, though the Bears will allow all three to compete for the role in training camp. Head coach Ben Johnson stated the obvious by saying, “the No. 1 job of an offensive tackle, doesn’t matter right or left, is to pass protect... and everything we can get out of them in the run game will be gravy on top of it.” Though he notably adds that the same is true “for all five guys up front.” His former Lions’ line fielded two top-tier pass protectors in LT Taylor Decker and RT Penei Sewell, though they maintained a league-high neutral game run-play rate (51.6 percent) last year. He will likely employ a similar approach this season.

The Jaguars drafted Robinson in the fifth round last year. He logged six offensive snaps and 50 special teams snaps, touching the ball twice all year via a pair of kickoff returns. The Eagles now roster eight running backs and will likely cut half of them before Week 1 kicks off. The Eagles waived WR Ife Adeyi in a corresponding move.

Harris has not yet logged an NFL snap. He was draft by the Texans in the 2024 NFL Draft’s seventh round, and briefly joined the Patriots after that. To make room for Harris, the Bills waived DT Devin Brandt-Epps.

Breer said he thinks it is “fair” for McLaurin to ask for a deal that at least "[starts] with a three,” adding that “the real comp is probably DK Metcalf,” whose contract averages $33 million over four years. Breer also said that although things between McLaurin and the Commanders are not in a “great place right now,” he notes that contract negotiations “do get bumpy,” with the way “the market’s exploded over the last couple of years.” Drafting McLaurin at this time is not without risk but there is still plenty of time for the two sides to meet in the middle, assuming that middle begins with a “three.”

For reference, Mitchell was clocked at 20.99 mph during his 2023 rookie season. It’s common for players to claim that they have made substantial physical gains every offseason, regardless of their actual gym habits and rehab program successes. An albeit pad-less 1.41 mph increase certainly suggests that Mitchell has successfully rebuilt his once compromised knee. Mitchell averaged 7.8 carries, 1.5 targets and 11.3 PPR points per game (RB32) during his Weeks 9-15, 2023 hot streak. Derrick Henry’s presence likely prevents Mitchell from returning to that same usage peak, but Mitchell has a chance to become fantasy-relevant if he can come close.

In an article by Adam Jahns at The Athletic, Jahns reports that Loveland was “spotted in uniform, accompanying staff members to other practice fields” on the third and final day of minicamp. It’s far from a return to practice, but according to Jahns, head coach Ben Johnson said, “at some point here in camp, we should get the green light” for Loveland to return to action. The Bears used the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft on Loveland, who underwent shoulder surgery earlier in the offseason. The former Michigan man should have a chance to unseat veteran Cole Kmet for the starting job this offseason and could have some sneaky fantasy upside after Johnson comped him to Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, who played under Johnson in Detroit.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Richardson was not expected to undergo surgery on his shoulder. However, Fowler adds that Richardson underwent a scan on his shoulder that revealed no structural damage. Per Fowler, Richardson has thrown, at times, 100-plus passes a day as he prepares for his quarterback competition with Daniel Jones. The shoulder injury, while inconvenient, appears to be mostly inflammation that should subside with time, allowing for a return to training camp with rest and relaxation. Already considered by some to be the odd man out when this summer’s battle concludes, this early injury won’t do anything to help Richardson gain an inside edge on Jones, who was already splitting starter reps in OTAs.

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise, but in case there was any doubt, Raanan said the Giants and their receivers view Wilson as the leader at the position right now. Wan’Dale Robinson said as much when asked about Wilson earlier, while Raanan also went on to point out the various throwing workouts Wilson scheduled with the team after signing with them. It’s worth noting that rookie Jaxson Dart also worked more with the second team offense this week, per Raanan, but the team will likely continue to bring him along slowly as they prepare to eventually hand him the keys. While it’s highly unlikely Wilson will start all 17 games this season, even if healthy, he sounds like a lock to open Week 1 as the starter, even with training camp still to come.

Whether he likes it or not, Lazard remains tied to his former quarterback/GM Rodgers. The 29-year-old vet has enjoyed his most productive seasons when playing alongside Rodgers, which makes a potential trade to the Steelers a very real option, especially when you consider the Steelers’ lack of receiver talent behind DK Metcalf. That said, Florio reports a source “with knowledge of Lazard’s thinking” believes Lazard “sees a very real potential benefit to proving his ability to function at an acceptable level without Rodgers as his quarterback.” This doesn’t mean the Steelers won’t attempt to facilitate a trade for Lazard, who gave up $8.5 million in guaranteed money to play with the Jets. But if the Jets give him any say in the matter, he may opt to stay with Gang Green over continuing his tour with Rodgers.