NFL Player News

The Panthers gave picks 93 and 132 to Pittsburgh for 80. A two-way player during his tenure in Eugene, Oregon, Johnson (6’4/260) played all of 2020 at tight end before transitioning back to EDGE for the last two years. He thrived during his one collegiate season as a starter, recording 39 tackles, 8.5 RGL, and 6.0 sacks while receiving Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors. Johnson recorded a respectable 75.2 PFF pass rush grade with a 24.7% win rate, respectable marks but they pale in comparison to his incredible 4.49s 40-yard dash and 1.51s 10-yard split that are scorching 99th percentile scores. He benched 28 reps (95th%) but woefully underperformed with sub 35th percentile marks on his jumping and agility tests. His power-to-speed transitions and bull rush are his calling cards, though he’s not as flexible and polished technically as you’d like to see from such an intriguing athlete. While Johnson has NFL-worthy traits, it’s very much a question of whether he can continue to develop now that he’s 24 and-a-half years old.

McDermott beat around the bush regarding his MVP quarterback and whether or not we would see him on Sunday night against the Bears. Speaking Friday, McDermott said his team is using the joint practice against the Bears “to see where (Allen is) at and how he feels” and will decide later in the weekend if Allen will suit up. If Allen doesn’t play, we would expect Mitch Trubisky to draw the start and see plenty of work. Last week, Trubisky started against the Giants, throwing for 138 yards and a touchdown on 9-of-13 passing.

It’s the time of year when coaches and front office members alike praise several players on the team, but with Joe Mixon’s (foot) health still a mystery, and Nick Chubb coming off a disappointing 2024 (102-332-3) following his return from a devastating knee injury, it’s fair to assume a role could be had by Pierce if things break right. Pierce rushed for 220-939-4 as a rookie, and averaged an impressive 7.3 YPC on a small sample size (40-293-2) last season. He’s already split first-team reps with Chubb since returning to camp, and Caley added that he’s “had an appreciation for (Pierce) since he came out of college.” At just 25 years old, Pierce may be the most explosive back in an offense that has two 29-year-old backs on the roster. While his rookie year success wasn’t followed with similar success in 2023 or 2024, he could make for an intriguing late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts while this backfield situation attempts to sort itself out.

Stone was listed as week-to-week last weekend after dealing with an unspecified soft tissue injury. Instead, the veteran safety missed less than a full week of practice and was spotted on the field Friday with the rest of the team. Stone totaled 81 tackles and four interceptions for the Bengals last season and signed a restructured deal this offseason. Barring any setbacks, it sounds like he’ll be good to go for Week 1 when the Bengals take on the Browns.

Bush was arrested in May and faces charges of assault and harassment. The late trial likely means Bush will be available for the Browns for much of the season, as their regular-season schedule concludes on January 4th when they face the Bengals in Week 18, but a late-season suspension, or one to kick off the 2026 campaign, could be on the table should the league pursue one after the trial has concluded. Bush signed a one-year contract with the Browns this offseason after totaling 76 tackles, one sack, and eight TFLs for them last season.

Speaking Thursday, Steichen said he doesn’t “have an exact timetable” on when he will name the Colts’ QB1, but with the Colts’ second preseason set to take place on Saturday against the Packers, it wouldn’t be surprising if Steichen came to a decision on his QB1 before the preseason finale in order to avoid starting him in a meaningless game. Anthony Richardson played only seven snaps last week against the Ravens before exiting the game with a dislocated pinky finger. Steichen will undoubtedly want to get a longer look at him this weekend as he looks to cement his decision.

Brown was sidelined by a hamstring strain in early August. He briefly resumed practicing before being sidelined once again. Team reporters are listing Brown as being sidelined by a hamstring injury, though Sirianni’s comments on the matter are vague. For what it’s worth, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said, “it feels like the hope is” that Brown resumes practicing “sometime in the near future,” adding that he doesn’t “sense any great concern” from the team, regarding the injury.

Bowles initially told reporters that all starters, aside from Mike Evans and Lavonte David, would play on Saturday. Per The Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud, Mayfield “played so well today in the joint workout with the Steelers” that Bowles changed his mind. It’s unfortunate for fantasy managers who were hoping to catch a glimpse of Mayfield’s connection with WR Emeka Egbuka but the game should still give us a look at the Buccaneers’ running back rotation with Rachaad White sidelined by a groin injury.

Howe cites “several high-ranking league sources” in the report. Recent buzz around Hill has not been great and he is now nursing an oblique injury. Still, the Dolphins do not appear to be interested in allowing the 31-year-old wide receiver to play elsewhere and Howe thinks that “there’s reason to believe [the distractions have] been left in the past.” If Hill really is turning a corner in his commitment to football, and the Dolphins can get him back to performing at an elite level, it would be a boon to the offense as a whole.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton adds that five or six starters who currently “have a lack of reps” will play on an “eight-play pitch count.” Those five or six players will be worth watching, namely to determine if the group includes players like RJ Harvey, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin and/or Pat Bryant. Should any of those players take the field, it would be nice to see them get the start and leave quickly thereafter.

Rice’s case regarding a multi-car crash will be heard by independent arbitrator Judge Sue L. Robinson, who issued Deshaun Watson’s initial six-game suspension after considering the matter for more than a month in 2022. Two weeks later, the NFL appealed Robinson’s suspension and agreed to an 11-game suspension with the NFLPA. Judge Robinson’s lengthy previous deliberation period could be an issue for Rice and the Chiefs. The NFL has again shown a willingness to operate on the Judge’s time, scheduling Rice’s hearing for September 30th because that is when her schedule allowed it. The Chiefs face the Ravens on September 28th, in Week 4. Should a similar timeline play out, it is possible Rice’s potential suspension is not imposed until after the Chiefs’ Week 10 bye.