NFL Player News
-
Deshaun Watson QB | CLE
Texans' Deshaun Watson: Could still be traded
The Texans are willing to listen to trade offers for Watson, but it may take three first-round picks or more, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Watson still wants to be traded but decided to report for the start of training camp. While they may be hesitant to trade him, the Texans at least are listening to offers now, perhaps influenced by the reality of Watson facing 22 civil lawsuits that accuse him of sexual assault and misconduct. The NFL reportedly doesn't intend to place Watson on the Commissioner's Exempt List, though it's possible that changes if/when new information on the cases becomes available. The 25-year-old quarterback has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he should have a say if the Texans become intrigued by any trade offers.
-
Paxton Lynch QB | PIT
Paxton Lynch: Lands in CFL
Lynch signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL on June 28, Justin Dunk of 3DownNation.com reports.
Lynch failed to secure a spot on the Steelers' roster during camp in 2020, and he was unable to land a spot on another team's practice squad. It's not yet clear whether the 2016 first-rounder will return to the NFL at some point after he totaled 792 passing yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions across five games with the Broncos in 2016 and 2017.
-
Cooper Rush QB | BAL
Cowboys' Cooper Rush: Dealing with back spasms
Rush didn't participate at Sunday's practice due to back spasms, Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site reports.
Rush had the injury crop up Saturday and now has missed two straight practices due to the issue. The 27-year-old has less than two weeks to get healthy before the Hall of Fame Game versus Pittsburgh on Aug. 5.
-
Joe Burrow QB | CIN
Bengals' Joe Burrow: Opening camp healthy
Burrow (knee) is healthy and will be on the field for the start of training camp this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The Bengals placed WR Riley Lees (undisclosed) and Renell Wren (quadriceps) on the PUP list Sunday, and Burrow apparently won't be joining them and will be ready to practice this week. The 2020 first-overall pick's rookie campaign was derailed after 10 games due to a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, but he's had no hiccups in his rehab over the past eight-plus months. Burrow still could be brought along slowly early in camp if the Bengals want to remain cautious, but at this point his availability for Week 1 isn't in doubt.
-
Deshaun Watson QB | CLE
Texans' Deshaun Watson: Reporting to camp
Watson is expected to be in attendance Sunday, when quarterbacks are scheduled to report for the start of Houston's training camp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Throughout the offseason, Watson has made it known that he wants to be traded from Houston, and according to Rapoport, the three-time Pro Bowler's stance hasn't changed, even though he intends to take part in the team's first practice of training camp. Watson will avoid being fined by doing so, and if the Texans can't execute a trade before the start of the season, there's reason to believe the 25-year-old may be on the field for the team's Week 1 matchup with Jacksonville. As Mike Garafolo of NFL Network notes, Watson continues to face multiple accusations of sexual assault, but civil cases related to those allegations remain ongoing and no criminal charges are imminent. According to Garafolo, the NFL doesn't intend to step in and suspend Watson or place him on the Commissioner's Exempt List until the legal situation is resolved.
-
Dak Prescott QB | DAL
Cowboys' Dak Prescott: Plans to play this preseason
Prescott (ankle) and coach Mike McCarthy both expect the quarterback to play this preseason, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
We aren't likely to see Prescott in the Hall of Fame Game against Pittsburgh on Aug. 5, but he might suit up later in the preseason -- perhaps Aug. 21 vs. the Texans or Aug. 29 vs. Jacksonville. Regardless, he's well on his way to a Week 1 appearance, having participated in 11-on-11s this Thursday at the first practice of Cowboys training camp. The team still may limit Prescott's workload once full pads come on, though he says his surgically repaired ankle has been a non-issue so far, noting that he doesn't even think about it when he's on the field.
-
Patrick Mahomes QB | KC
Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes: Full go for camp
Mahomes doesn't anticipate having any restrictions at training camp, as his left foot is fully recovered from February surgery, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.
This was expected after Mahomes participated in spring practices. The toe/foot that bothered him at the end of last season is no longer an issue, nor is the rash of injuries that plagued Kansas City's offensive line during the Super Bowl. The team lost longtime starting tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz in the offseason, but then made up for it by signing LG Joe Thuney and trading for LT Orlando Brown. The Chiefs even get Laurent Duvernay-Tardif back from the COVID-19 list, so when all is said and done, their O-line could be better than it was last year. At the skill positions, their offense looks much the same as 2020, minus injury-prone wideout Sammy Watkins (now with the Ravens). As always, Mahomes is set up for success.
-
Deshaun Watson QB | CLE
Texans' Deshaun Watson: Still under investigation by NFL
The NFL remains in "fact-finding and monitor mode" with regard to Watson, who had 22 civil lawsuits filed against him earlier this offseason, NFL reporter Josina Anderson reports.
Shortly after the end of the 2020 regular season, it leaked that Watson was dissatisfied with the Texans organization and as a result requested a trade. Those rumors were swept aside when accusations of inappropriate conduct and sexual assault were levied against him in March and April, and while he skipped the entire offseason program the league did its due diligence with such cases. Having said that, the NFL doesn't feel "a need to do anything too early," per Anderson, so Watson's status is in limbo. Not only is it unclear if Watson will report to training camp, the quarterback may not be punished by the NFL until the legal process works itself out. Assuming Watson doesn't join his teammates next week, Houston is expected to roll with 10-year veteran Tyrod Taylor under center, at least for the time being.
-
Dak Prescott QB | DAL
Cowboys' Dak Prescott: Opens camp with full practice
Prescott (ankle) practiced fully Thursday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
As the Cowboys kicked off training camp, Prescott took his usual place with the first-team offense, completing 11 of 16 passes during 11-on-11 drills. The development is a positive one for Prescott, who suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle that ended his season Week 5 last October. In any case, the true final test of his health will come at some point during the preseason, whether it's in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 5 or during one of Dallas' three other exhibitions next month.
-
Jarrett Stidham QB | DEN
Patriots' Jarrett Stidham: Heads to PUP list
The Patriots placed Stidham (undisclosed) on the PUP list Thursday, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.
Stidham isn't ready to participate in the start of training camp practices, though it remains to be seen what sort of issue he's dealing with. Given that Cam Newton and rookie first-round pick Mac Jones are solidified above Stidham on New England's depth chart, missing time could only impact the 24-year-old's chances of winning out against Brian Hoyer for the Patriots' No. 3 QB gig.