He suffered a torn meniscus in Week 2 against the Texans. “Right away I’m just trying to get used to playing with a knee brace again, but I was talking to Ben today and it’s like, it already feels…you’re not thinking about the knee brace. It feels back to normal. It was a great day. I wasn’t worried about the knee one bit, so that’s good,” Mauch told reporters. We’re expecting Mauch to be ready to go for training camp based on this update.
“But, obviously, it’s definitely nothing that prevents me from anything at the moment. I go 100%. I’m still out there doing everything I normally would do, but yeah, it’s just like an ongoing process for sure,” Harrison added. He had two heel injuries, appendicitis, and a concussion while missing five games last year. There doesn’t seem to be any specific reason for concern here, but this is not the type of thing you normally see an NFL player admit, so it’s eye-catching.
The Raiders haven’t really put out a timetable for Miller to be fully healthy, but we’re assuming he’ll probably be ready for training camp based on this update that he’s “nearing full strength” at OTAs. Miller only played the first four games of last season after suffering a high-ankle sprain and hairline fracture against the Bears in September.
DeFabo calls Roman Wilson the WR3 “at this exact moment,” which isn’t exactly a qualifier that lends to us believing that Wilson will be there at the end of training camp after his first few lost seasons. Bernard “has a really high floor” per DeFabo’s looks at OTAs and we wouldn’t be surprised if he had a role in his first season. It’s hard to see how it would be more than mildly fantasy interesting behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman, but perhaps Bernard can establish himself for a bigger 2027.
The need is clearly there with second-round pick Jaylahn Tuimoloau, Micheal Clemons and Arden Key competing for the role next to Laiatu Latu at the moment. Boyd also mentions Cameron Jordan, Jadeveon Clowney and Leonard Floyd among others as possibilities. The veteran edge rusher and wideout markets are still unfolding ahead of training camp.
Berman notes that Barkley had 136 targets in his final two seasons with the Giants compared to just 93 with the Eagles over the past two years, and adds that new OC Sean Mannion was teammates with Todd Gurley when Gurley averaged 84 targets in 2017 and 2018 with “a similar offensive scheme.” A.J. Brown’s absence will absolutely leave a target vacuum that Barkley could step into. If so, that would be a major boon for his fantasy prospects in 2026.
Grier was unceremoniously dumped in the middle of last season by the Dolphins after they started 2-7. Most general managers don’t get a second chance, and Grier had a long run in Miami. If nothing else, this adds a little experience to Detroit’s front office.
Peterman only started five games, but managed an incredible 13 interceptions in 160 career attempts while becoming synonymous with horrific quarterback play. He appeared in games with the Bills, Raiders, and Bears from 2017-2023, and will reportedly become an agent for Range Sports.
Clearly there was no rush to add him to the roster. It’s the first sniff of NFL interest we’ve seen for the former star cornerback since he was released by the Titans, and unsurprisingly it was with his former employers in Kansas City. We suspect this has a chance of happening at some point this offseason, but the 29-year-old Sneed is likely to sift through options ahead of training camp.
Pittsburgh has been handling in-house business over the last week, re-signing Darnell Washington and Nate Herbig to major extensions. It would not be surprising if Porter — whom DeFabo classifies as a “hold in” in OTAs — as next on the priority list.
Boutte wouldn’t seem to have a real role with the Patriots after they acquired A.J. Brown on June 1 — one could argue the most surprising thing about that deal going down is the fact that Boutte wasn’t involved in it. Boutte is reportedly available in a trade, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported last week that the Patriots have received interest. It’s in Boutte’s financial best interests to show up.
All missed the end of the 2024 and the entire 2025 season with a pair of knee surgeries, one to clear out damage done from a surgery at Iowa, and another to repair a torn ACL. He enters the third year of his rookie contract as a deep, deep sleeper in fantasy leagues behind Mike Gesicki, but All did look pretty good in 2024 while healthy. He should at least give the Bengals some usable multi-TE set snaps if necessary.
Kittle met with the media this week and said that the Achilles is “doing great” and he has had no setbacks. He even said it’s realistic that he could come back eight months after tearing his Achilles. The tight end turns 33 this October and still hasn’t been cleared for practice as he worked off to the side during OTAs. Jake Tonges will fill in for Kittle if he has to miss any time this season.
Hoecht missed the first six games of the 2025 season due to a performance enhancing drugs suspension. He appears in Weeks 8-9, but suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture. He made a big impact while active, notching eight quarterback pressures, three sacks, one tackle and one batted pass. He has been working to the side with the strength and conditioning staff during organized team activities thus far. Getting Hoecht back early in the year, even in a rotational capacity, would be helpful.
Kittle described Evans as being “the first legit veteran wide receiver [he’s] had on [the] roster since Emmanuel Sanders in 2019,” adding that Evans “takes ball seriously.” The 49ers’ wide receiver corps has had its distractions over the past few seasons, but it appears as though Evans has been a stabilizing presence for the offense. Teammates told The Athletic’s Matt Barrows that “Evans’ length and route-running ability have already been evident,” and Evans has played very well in red zone drills. Evans adds that his change of scenery, from Tampa Bay to San Francisco, has him feeling “rejuvenated.” If his health can hold up, Evans could find himself in the fantasy WR2 tier with touchdown-based upside.
Underhill’s colleagues, Mike Triplett and John Hendrix, agree. Triplett was the most bearish of the bunch, saying he is not sure that Shough will be able to crack the position’s top 10. Underhill notes that Vegas sports books have Shough in a five-way tie for the sixth-best odds to lead the NFL in passing yards. He adds that he is “not sure” if he can get to sixth, but he knows for sure that he can’t get to 13th. Shough was the QB10 in per-game fantasy scoring from Weeks 8-18, and the upgraded offense is expected to take another step in Year 2 under head coach Kellen Moore. Shough’s top-12 passing potential seems legit, and he has a shot to finish in that range in fantasy as well.
Underhill believes RB Travis Etienne’s skillset “is exactly what the Saints need if inside zone and outside zone are going to remain the base.” That said, the Saints are also excited about Etienne’s versatility. Paganetti praised his intelligence, pass protection, route running ability and added that Etienne is more than just a one-cut runner. If RB Alvin Kamara, 30, remains with the team, Underhill believes Etienne’s presence allows the team to use Kamara selectively, rather than relying on him all game long. Underhill adds that the Saints’ play-action passing game was very efficient in 13 personnel, albeit via a small sample size. The front office added multiple tight ends this offseason and the coaching staff wants the running game “to feed the passing game,” which could mean more runs out of three-tight end sets. Etienne is looking like an RB2 with RB1 upside in an ascending offense.
Underhill outlined his thoughts on the run game in a lengthy piece, exploring how run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti plans to build the run game around his players’ strengths. With RB Travis Etienne set to operate as the lead back, the team can use Kamara selectively in space, running routes, on screens and by exploiting matchups. It remains to be seen whether Kamara, 30, will remain in New Orleans, but it sounds like he could end up with a PPR-friendly FLEX role if he does.
Tucker, 25, is now the longest-tenured player in the Raiders’ wide receiver corps. Since being drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft’s third round, Tucker has had four head coaches, seven offensive coordinators, three wide receiver coaches and seven different starting quarterbacks. He has never cleared 700 yards in a single season, but his offensive environment has been a factor. Per Kubiak, Raiders receivers will line up all over the formation, as the X, Z and slot. Last year, Tucker ran 83.2 percent of his routes from the perimeter. Adding interior usage will benefit him. Although TE Brock Bowers will operate as the clear-cut No. 1 pass catcher, Tucker could warrant FLEX treatment if he can secure the No. 2 pass-catcher role/No. 1 wide receiver role this summer.
Per NBC Sports Houston’s Aaron Wilson, the rookie wide receiver has now cleared waivers and is a free agent. Walthall struggled to produce in his three seasons at Hawaii before breaking out after transferring to Incarnate Word in 2024. He fared well at the NFL Scouting Combine and could get a chance to make a final roster elsewhere.
Earlier today, the team announced that they have voted to advance stadium development plans in Hammond, Indiana, though a site has not yet been chosen. Per Pelissero, the team also still has to get “the financing together [and] the legal documents together,” meaning the move has not yet been finalized. Pelissero notes that the Vikings nearly made a similarly significant location switch in the past and went so far as to make a similar public announcement about its intentions to move. Within a few months, the Minnesota legislature was making the necessary moves to keep the team in its same location. Rich Eisen asked Pelissero if today’s team statement could have been made to an “audience of one,” Governor J.B. Pritzker. Pelissero responded indirectly, noting only that “Illinois really has not presented anything yet,” so a counterproposal could be on the way.
Then on injured reserve, Benson said he was feeling good when his practice window opened, and he knew this was his “time to shine” as the Cardinals’ lead running back. Unfortunately, he started “going a little too hard” on the practice field and ended up triggering a setback. He was still working his way back onto the practice field as of earlier this week. The Cardinals are currently on break until mandatory minicamp begins on June 8th. Hopefully, Benson can resume practicing then. ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Benson could be a trade candidate, given the Cardinals’ depth at the running back position. Perhaps, he will receive another time to shine in a new locale.
Klein’s hamstring injury is not expected to be a long-term issue. The athletic second-round rookie caught 37 passes for 351 yards and one touchdown over his final two college seasons. The Texans have a decent group of backup tight ends, though many of the veterans have fairly extensive injury histories. Klein may have a chance to earn the TE2 role this season.
Just yesterday, ESPN’s Dan Graziano opined that the Falcons might want to see how Pitts fits in their new offense before committing to a long-term contract. Today, his colleague Marc Raimondi published comments from Pitts, who described the tag as being “kind of like my fifth-year option, but it’s a sixth-year option.” Pitts believes that the new staff’s tag use shows that they see something in him and “trust” him. Tagged players sometimes hold out or argue for a long-term deal. Not Pitts. He is ready to play. Stefanski, a former tight ends coach, has helped deliver TE1 results over the years. Per PFF, flats and hitches were Pitts’ most run routes last year. Based on Stefanski’s 2025 play designs with the Browns, Pitts could run them even more this year, while also running more drags, curls and potentially, overs. Pitts is a TE1 this season, but his range of potential outcomes is still being decided. Hopefully, we learn more during training camp next month.
Cooper was arrested on Thursday night and booked into a Douglas County jail on Friday. Few details are known about his arrest outside of the charges, but the veteran pass-rusher is reportedly scheduled to go before a judge on Friday with another hearing scheduled for Monday, per an article put out by TMZ. Cooper totaled eight sacks for the Broncos last season and is in the second year of a four-year extension he signed in 2024.