NFL Player News
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Paris Johnson Jr. OT | ARI
Cardinals' Paris Johnson: Feels back to full health
Johnson (knee) said Tuesday he feels "completely" healthy to begin the Cardinals' voluntary offseason workout program, Zach Gershman of the team's official site reports.
Johnson earned a Pro Bowl alternate nod in 2024 despite having his season end early due to a knee injury sustained Week 15, but he's fully healthy for the start of offseason conditioning activities. The 2023 first-round pick expressed optimism that being allowed to remain at the same position (left tackle) in back-to-back seasons for the first time since high school will help him take another step forward, per Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com. As a rookie in 2023, Johnson was asked to start at right tackle.
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NaJee Thompson CB | MIN
NaJee Thompson: Cut with injury designation
The Vikings waived Thompson (knee) with a failed physical designation Wednesday.
Thompson spent all of last season on IR due to a knee injury that dates back to January of 2024, and which it appears he's not yet fully recovered from. He appeared in 15 regular-season games as a rookie in 2023, handling 195 snaps on special teams and just one snap on defense.
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Nick Chubb RB | CLE
Nick Chubb: No intention of retiring
Chubb (foot) doesn't plan to retire and may sign with a team after the NFL Draft, NFL.com's Kevin Patra reports.
Chubb is back to squatting over 500 pounds, which suggests he's progressed as expected after suffering a season-ending foot fracture in mid-December. He didn't need surgery but still doesn't seem to have generated much interest in free agency, with teams likely concerned he'll never come close to his prior explosiveness after suffering a multi-ligament knee injury in Sept. 2023 (to the same left knee he damaged in college). The 29-year-old running back isn't likely to get much guaranteed money but should at least find an opportunity to compete for carries at some point this spring/summer. The obvious fit right now is a return to Cleveland, where Jerome Ford sits atop the depth chart ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Christian McCaffrey RB | SF
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: No restrictions at OTAs
McCaffrey is participating in the offseason program without any restrictions, ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner reports.
Coach Kyle Shanahan declared McCaffrey healthy in early April, which wasn't surprising after the running back told reporters in early January that he was already almost back to full strength. The 49ers then traded Jordan Mason to the Vikings and allowed Elijah Mitchell to sign with the Chiefs, leaving 2024 fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo as McCaffrey's likely backup for 2025. McCaffrey missed the first eight games of last season with Achilles tendinitis in both legs, later missing the final five games because of a PCL sprain in his right knee. It was his third time in the past five years missing double-digit games, but he played either 16 or 17 regular-season games in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. McCaffrey is under contract through 2027 after signing an extension last summer, albeit with no guaranteed money beyond 2025.
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Kirk Cousins QB | ATL
Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Suitors may include Vikings?
The Browns, Steelers and Vikings may be interested in acquiring Cousins, whose contract includes a no-trade clause, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
The contract also has a guaranteed $27.5 million salary for 2025, plus a guaranteed $10 million roster bonus in 2026. Cousins somewhat unexpectedly showed up for the start of Atlanta's voluntary OTAs this week, but he still seems to be hoping for a trade that would put him in a starting role -- preferably without competition from an early draft pick at the position. Pittsburgh would seem to be the cleanest fit, if Aaron Rodgers doesn't end up signing there and the Steelers don't use an early pick on a QB later this week. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot responded to some of the rumors and reports Wednesday, saying it's "not accurate" that the team has asked potential trade partners to take on at least $20 million of Cousins' salary, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network.
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Mitchell Fraboni LS | DEN
Broncos' Mitchell Fraboni: Undergoes back procedure
Fraboni underwent a cleanup procedure on his back Tuesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Fraboni will now be sidelined for the entirety of the team's offseason program but should be back in time for training camp. He is slated to serve as Denver's long snapper during the 2025 campaign.
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Brayden Willis TE | SF
49ers' Brayden Willis: Signs tender Tuesday
Willis signed his exclusive rights free-agent tender with the 49ers on Tuesday.
Willis is now officially set to return for to San Francisco for the 2025 campaign after having been tendered earlier in the offseason. The tight end didn't make a catch in 10 regular-season games last season and will compete for a backup spot behind George Kittle.
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Jaylen Warren RB | PIT
Steelers' Jaylen Warren: Signs RFA tender
Warren signed his one-year restricted free agent tender with the Steelers on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Warren received a second-round tender in March, which carries a $5.35 million salary for the 2025 season. Signing his tender doesn't necessarily preclude a long-term deal for Warren, but any further negotiations could be impacted by whether the team addresses the running back position during the 2025 NFL Draft. Coach Mike Tomlin expressed confidence Tuesday in Warren's ability to handle lead back duties following the departure of Najee Harris, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com.
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James Cook RB | BUF
Bills' James Cook: Skipping voluntary workouts
Cook is not present for the start of voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane said it's "not fair" to assume Cook's absence at voluntary OTAs is related to his desire for a new contract, adding that "he'll be ready to go" for mandatory offseason activities. Nonetheless, coming off a 2024 campaign in which he scored 18 touchdowns (16 rushing) despite playing just 48 percent of offensive snaps in his 16 regular-season appearances, Cook has been open about his desire for both a substantial extension and increased playing time. Still, Buffalo has Ray Davis entering Year 2, and the team opted to re-sign pending free agent Ty Johnson, indicating some level of commitment to a backfield rotation. How much attention the team pays to the running back position in the 2025 NFL Draft, which kicks off Thursday, could be telling as to Cook's odds of attaining a new deal. He's currently heading into the final year of his rookie contract after having compiled back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
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Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB | CLE
Browns' Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: In building for voluntary OTAs
Owusu-Koramoah (neck) is present Tuesday for the start of voluntary OTAs, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.
Owusu-Koramoah's activity level has yet to be disclosed, and his attendance doesn't necessarily indicate he's been cleared for on-field activities. The 25-year-old linebacker suffered a season-ending neck injury last October after colliding with Derrick Henry, and Browns general manager Andrew Berry referred to Owusu-Koramoah's recovery progress as "nebulous" last Thursday. Officially, he still remains without a timeline for his return, which could remain the case until training camp.