NFL Player News

On one hand, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Dowdle has handled 33 of the Cowboys’ last 64 running back opportunities, and that’s after missing Week 8’s game against the 49ers due to an illness. Still, this is the first time McCarthy has gone out of his way to endorse Dowdle as the team’s lead back. Dowdle has earned 15 or more opportunities in his last two games and has totaled 163 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown over that span. He’ll have some RB3/FLEX appeal in Week 11 against the Texans.

Heck will serve as a backup swing-tackle option, playing behind the Buccaneers’ bullying offensive tackle duo; LT Tristan Wirfs and RT Luke Goedeke. Heck flashed pass-protection potential early in his career but has settled into a lucrative journeyman role.

Allen joins two other backups in Detroit; Hendon Hooker, who is under contract through 2026, and Jake Fromm, who is under contract through 2025, The Lions can notably save all $1.03 million of Fromm’s salary with a pre-June 1 release. Allen is a more proven veteran than Fromm and it would be unsurprising to see the latter player be released.

This runs directly counter to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo earlier today. It is unclear as to whether the Jaguars have changed their minds, or if the sources are saying that the Jaguars were never interested in signing Kupp in the first place. Regardless, reports have consistently indicated that Kupp is looking for a hefty payday and would prefer to remain on the West Coast. This Floridian squad is, obviously, unable to accommodate the latter request.

Shrader joined the Colts as an undrafted free agent rookie last year before briefly spending time on both the Jets and Chiefs’ rosters. A right-leg hamstring strain sidelined him at the end of the season but, on the season, he converted 5-of-5 field goals and 9-of-9 extra points. The Athletic’s James Boyd notes that incumbent K Matt Gay remains on the roster, and that the signing was done “to promote more competition throughout the roster.” The team can save $4 million by cutting Gay after June 1st.

The 31-year-old Heinicke smartly reups with the Chargers. His days of competing for a starting job are well behind him, but he can do his part in practice, when needed. The Chargers should be equally happy to retain a moderately capable game manager behind Justin Herbert.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the Bears increased Jackson’s 2026 base salary guarantees to $7 million, with "$5.25 million more for injury.” He will also get “all $17.5 million he was slated to earn this season in the deal he [previously] signed with the Rams.”

This is a great signing for the Commanders. At 29 years old, Martin has something left in the tank and a talent-maximizer like Dan Quinn will undoubtedly deploy Martin as an effective member of the edge rotation. Martin totaled 17 quarterback pressures, three sacks, 10 tackles and three tackles for loss or no gain last year.

The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent made 10 appearances for the Bears last season, including two starts. He also started four games for the Seahawks in 2023. He has fairly extensive at both tackle and guard, enhancing his odds of making the Cardinals’ 53-man roster.

Tufele joins the Jets’ defensive line rotation as a big-bodied backup. He totaled four quarterback pressures and 0.5 NFL sacks last year. The former figure ties his career-high and the latter sets a new one. He’s secured double-digit tackles in each of the last three seasons, bringing his four-year career sum to 27.

Weeks’ signing ends an era. NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson reports that Weeks is the “longest-tenured player in [Texans] franchise history.” He fills a need for the 49ers, who released C/LS Taybor Pepper just hours ago.