NFL Player News

Okorafor is a former third-round pick who spent the first six years of his career with the Steelers. After starting 15 or more games in the previous three seasons, Okorafor started in just seven of the 14 games he appeared in last season. With experience at both tackle positions, Okorafor provides versatility along the Patriots’ offensive line and can provide valuable experience as a starter.

Dulcich’s first two pro seasons were torpedoed by serious hamstring injuries. Last year’s hamstring woes put him in Sean Payton’s doghouse, though Payton has seemingly come around on the highly-athletic Dulcich, saying the tight end in training camp has shown “glimpses” of what he can bring to Denver’s offense. Fowler said Dulcich has show plenty of “big play ability” in summer practices. The 2022 third round pick will battle for tight end snaps this year with Lucas Krull and Adam Trautman.

Penny, 28, is leaving the game a few months after signing with Carolina. A highly productive back out of San Diego State, Penny battled constant injuries during five seasons with the Seahawks. He finally emerged as an explosive lead back in the second half of the 2021 season, rushing for 672 yards and six scores in the season’s final six games. Penny spent one forgettable season with the Eagles. The Panthers backfield depth chart now includes Chuba Hubbard, rookie Jonathon Brooks, and Miles Sanders.

Jones, Jerry’s son, said Freeman has “really impressed” in offseason practices and during Cowboys training camp. Freeman, Jones said, is “a great 2-3 combination in terms of what he can do as a backup. He’s a big, thick guy. And he’s a hell of a special teams player as well. He’ll be a good addition and great complement to (Elliott). And then we’ll let these young guys between (Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis) and those guys battle it out.” Judging by Jones’ comments, it would seem Elliott is locked into the lead back role and Dowdle is in line for RB3 duties at best.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who will remain Cleveland’s play call this season, said new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey would help the team get “better in the dropback game, the RPO game and really kind of expand our use of motion in our core concepts — and also increase our tempo.” It’s hard to see how the team could play much faster than they did last season. The Browns in 2023 were fifth in situation-neutral pace last year and led the NFL in plays per game (69.8), according to Establish The Run’s Pat Thorman. Dorsey and Stefanski, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, plan to pass more frequently on first downs. Last year, they passed on only 41 percent of first downs with Deshaun Watson under center.

That leaves rookie sixth rounder Cam Little as the last remaining kicker on the roster in Jacksonville. Although it is possible the team may bring in veteran competition prior to the start of the season, it looks to be all systems go for the first-year kicker. Patterson has converted 59-of-67 field goal attempts for an 88.1 percent conversion rate through three professional seasons and could get a look with another franchise in 2024.

Washington hasn’t played a regular-season snap since 2022. The former second-round pick was on a solid trajectory early in his career after going for 44-735-3 in his second year in the league. Unfortunately, he caught just 30 passes for 392 yards in his third season, and in 2022, while with the Cowboys, he suffered a foot fracture that limited him to just two games. Now, Washington joins a relatively thin wide receiver room in Atlanta. Drake London and Darnell Mooney are entrenched as the team’s top two options, but things get pretty dicey after that. Depending on how many receivers they keep, it’s possible Washington will stick as a WR5 or WR6.

Jackson missed four of the Ravens’ first five practices with what he described as a “bug.” The two-time MVP returned to practice on Saturday and has now participated in three straight sessions with the team. Jackson said he remained mentally “locked in” while away from the team and doesn’t feel as if he’ll have too much catching up to do. It helps that Jackson is playing in a familiar offense. With offensive coordinator Todd Monken back for another season, Jackson is hoping he can replicate the numbers he saw last season when he threw for 3,678-24-7 on his way to his second MVP in five seasons. Here’s hoping the worst is behind Lamar and that his immune system can fight off whatever comes its way once the regular season begins.

Jackson played in just eight games last season and recorded three sacks — all of which came in Week 1 against the Steelers. The former second-round pick was placed on injured reserve following knee surgery in mid-November. In 23 career games, Jackson has totaled 21 tackles and six sacks, along with five TFLs. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Jackson is out through the duration of training camp “at a minimum,” suggesting his absence could stretch into the regular season. This is presumably the same knee injury that ended Jackson’s campaign last year.

The 49ers selected Guerendo with the 129th pick in this year’s draft. The former Louisville product turned in one of the best combine performances ever earlier this year and was expected to compete for the backup running back job in the 49ers’ backfield. His absence should bolster the fantasy stock for Elijah Mitchell, who looks firmly entrenched as the RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey for the time being. Guerendo will likely need to make up for lost time once he returns, and may not have much, if any fantasy impact early in the season.

After being carted off the field in Sunday’s practice, Hubbard underwent an MRI on his knee. It was determined that he avoided any serious injury, but he’ll miss at least a few days with said injury. Hubbard is coming off a six-sack season for the Bengals in 2023 and will once again work opposite Trey Hendrickson, who racked up 17.5 sacks of his own last season.