NFL Player News

Lamb skipped voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamp this offseason and is now holding out of training camp while he awaits a contract extension from the Cowboys. Earlier reports from the offseason indicated that Lamb would hold out and now Watkins reports that is indeed the case. The All-Pro wideout is set to earn just under $18 million with his fifth-year option, but is likely expecting to sign a deal close to Justin Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension. The Cowboys have to figure out new deals for both Dak Prescott and Lamb as their offensive cornerstones and waiting this long has led to other teams paying top players at those positions high-end money, bumping up the asking price for Prescott and Lamb. Though talks were expected to speed up after Jefferson signed his deal, the Cowboys and Lamb are not yet close to a deal. Now with a holdout, the Cowboys have to deal with an unhappy star receiver who is one of the best at his position and wants to be paid like it.

Young tallied five combined tackles in the Rams’ Divisional Round win over the Bears. He starts out this week not practicing due to a knee injury he has been managing for a good chunk of this season. Also not practicing was DB Quentin Lake (illness). Practice reports later in the week will provide more clarity, but both Young and Lake look to be playing in the Championship game against the Seahawks.

Cross left in the Divisional Round against the 49ers with a foot injury. He was previously dealing with hamstring/knee injuries as well, with the Divisional Round being his only game played since Week 15. Head coach Mike Macdonald said on Monday that Cross is day-to-day, indicating the left tackle will play in the Championship game against the Rams. With backup left tackles Josh Jones (knee/ankle) and Amari Knight (knee) also dealing with injuries and not practicing, the Seahawks have slim options at the position if Cross cannot go.

Darnold was dealing with an oblique injury last week and he reportedly did not throw a football between suffering the injury Thursday and the Divisional Round on Saturday. However, he did not look hindered in the Seahawks’ win over the 49ers, tossing for 124 yards and a touchdown on 17 passing attempts. Darnold starts off the week limited in practice and is in line to play in the NFC Championship against the Rams.

Landry has been dealing with the knee issue for a few weeks now but played through it the first two playoff games for the Patriots. Also not practicing was LB Marte Mapu (hip). Mapu has not played in the playoffs yet, so he is more of a question mark. Given he has played through the knee injury already, Landry has a better chance of playing in the AFC Championship.

Lynn, 57, has served in his current roles over the last two seasons. In the two seasons before that, he served as the 49ers’ assistant head coach and running backs coach. He spent the 2021 season as the Lions’ offensive coordinator following a four-year run as the Chargers’ head coach.

Bell was drafted by the Patriots in 2024. He did not make the roster this year and joined the Eagles’ practice squad. That didn’t last long and he spent the end of the year on the Steelers’ practice squad. Back in Philly, Bell could crack the team’s roster if Dallas Goedert walks in free agency.

McCarthy took the year after being relieved of his duties with the Cowboys following the 2024 season. McCarthy also interviewed with the Giants and Titans, though both organizations chose to go with other candidates. McCarthy’s 2024 Cowboys squad averaged just 5.0 yards per play during the regular season, ranking 27th among NFL offenses.

Hiring Brady would certainly make for a smooth transition. The Bills’ offensive coordinator has served in his current role for the past two seasons. He was the Bills’ quarterbacks coach in 2022 and 2023, and was promoted to interim offensive coordinator in the latter year.

Nix reportedly broke a bone in his ankle on the second-to-last play of regulation in the Broncos’ Divisional Round game against the Bills. Nix can now begin the rehabilitation process as backup QB Jarrett Stidham takes the reins for Denver’s AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.

Franklin’s early-week participation is somewhat surprising. He was forced from the Broncos’ Divisional Round game against the Bills on Saturday. We expect to see him listed as a limited participant, but he has a chance to play in the Broncos’ AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.