NFL Player News

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said the team has been "working tirelessly" to resolve issues with Rodgers, adding that the Packers "remain hopeful for a positive resolution," Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Speaking at the annual shareholder's meeting Monday morning, Gutekunst relayed optimism without getting into details, failing to mention whether or not Rodgers is expected to report Tuesday for the start of training camp, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Team president Mark Murphy says the Packers are "committed to [Rodgers] for 2021 and beyond," though it's clear at this point the feeling isn't mutual. While the Packers can fine Rodgers for each missed day of training camp, they might choose to overlook it if they believe they can convince him to play in Green Bay for another year (or longer). If he refuses to play for the Packers and isn't traded, Rodgers could retire from the NFL to avoid additional fines.

Bengals president Mike Brown doesn't expect Burrow to play in any preseason games, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Burrow made a smooth recovery from Dec. 2 knee surgery and now has been cleared for 11-on-11 drills at the start of training camp. Even so, the Bengals are leaning toward holding him out of games until Week 1, relying on practice to ramp up his workload and evaluate his health and performance. While all reports on Burrow's rehab progress have been encouraging, we'll still need to monitor his practice participation in the coming weeks, considering he'll be just a little more than nine months removed from ACL repair surgery when the Bengals open their season Sept. 12 against Minnesota.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.