NFL Player News

Prescott (hamstring) took part in on-field drills during the Cowboys' second day of organized team activities Tuesday and moved well while throwing passes to wide receivers, including new teammate George Pickens, Calvin Watkin of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Prescott said he's "just not cleared for contact" but can otherwise "pretty much do it all" and is "feeling great" in his recovery from hamstring surgery undergone last November. While the Cowboys will continue to take a cautious approach with Prescott's recovery, the veteran quarterback said in April that his right hamstring tear has improved to the point that he feels confident he could suit up for a game, if theoretically needed. The addition of Pickens, whom Dallas traded for in a deal with Pittsburgh in early May, provides Prescott with a playmaking No. 2 receiver option capable of opening things up for superstar CeeDee Lamb, significantly boosting the outlook of the Cowboys' passing offense. While his return to full health remains crucial, Prescott currently looks well positioned to bounce back in 2025 within new head coach Brian Schottenheimer's offense.

Titans head coach Brian Callahan said Tuesday that Ward and Will Levis have split practice reps evenly throughout Phase 2 of the team's offseason activities, Turron Davenport of ESPN reports.

Callahan said Tennessee's quarterback reps "will probably change a little when when we get to the next phase of OTAs and there's some 7-on-7 [drills]," while also noting that Ward's selection at No. 1 overall and Levis' status as an incumbent starter haven't been the cause of any conflict at practice. Some amount of competition with Levis figures to be beneficial for Ward, who is still in the early stages of acclimating to a new offense and building chemistry with Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Treylon Burks (ACL) and Van Jefferson. Callahan said it would be premature to name a starter at this stage of the offseason, but it would nonetheless be surprising if it takes Ward long to earn a dominant share of first-team reps. The Titans are slated to conduct six OTAs between May 27 and June 5 before kicking off a three-day mandatory minicamp June 12. Ward may be able to push for increased reps during those dates, but the most pivotal period of his rookie development will occur during training camp and the preseason. Regardless of whether Levis remains on Tennessee's roster or draws trade interest, it seems like a sure thing that Ward will start the Titans' regular-season opener against Tampa Bay.

Watson (Achilles) has been out of his walking boot for several weeks and was throwing to teammates at the Browns' facility Monday, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.

Watson had a second surgery on his Achilles on Jan. 9 after aggravating the injury. He's not expected to be ready for the start of the season, and he isn't projected to compete for the starting job even when he is capable of retaking the field. Nevertheless, Cabot described Watson as having made "excellent progress" in his recovery.

Purdy and the 49ers agreed to terms Friday on a five-year, $265 million contract extension, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Purdy's new deal has been the largest domino waiting to fall of San Francisco's offseason, and the 2022 seventh-round pick now gains long-term commitment from the team via a contract that runs through 2030, and which includes $181 million in total guarantees. The 25-year-old is coming off a down season, having dipped essentially across the board in most passing metrics while throwing just 20 touchdowns, as opposed to the 31 passing scores he logged in 2023. San Francisco's offense as a whole tumbled in 2024, though, an outcome that can in no small part be blamed on injuries to Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) and Christian McCaffrey (knee). The 49ers also inked George Kittle to a four-year extension this offseason, a particularly notable signing given that the standout tight end may operate as Purdy's top pass catcher to kick off the 2025 season, considering Deebo Samuel has been traded to Washington and Aiyuk is still in the process of recovering. Still, with McCaffrey back in action, plus Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson available to lead the wide-receiver room until Aiyuk is 100 percent, Purdy will have no shortage of offensive weapons at his disposal as he works to make the first year under his new deal a comeback season.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Saturday that all three of the team's currently rostered quarterbacks -- Haener, Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler -- will have an opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback role during camp in the wake of Derek Carr's retirement, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Carr's unexpected retirement Saturday swung the door wide open for one of New Orleans' three young quarterbacks to take the reigns as the team's starting QB in 2025. None of the trio has much experience -- Shough is a rookie, Haener has thrown just 39 NFL passes, and Rattler has thrown 228 passes -- so they are beginning the competition on a pretty level playing field in that regard. However, Haener is probably a longshot to earn the QB1 nod based on the fact that Rattler was the primary choice to step in last season after Carr was hurt, while Shough has the most invested in him, as the Saints selected him in the second round of April's NFL Draft. Haener also looked overwhelmed in his lone NFL start, completing just four of 10 passes for 49 yards and an interception in Week 15 last season before being benched after halftime.

As a result of Derek Carr (shoulder) announcing his retirement from the NFL on Saturday, Rattler could battle with rookie Tyler Shough for the Saints' starting quarterback role to begin the 2025 campaign.

Carr's retirement leaves New Orleans with a QB room consisting of Rattler, Shough and Jake Haener. In terms of game experience, Rattler is the most experienced of the trio -- he got into seven games as a rookie last year but largely struggled, completing just 57 percent of his 228 pass attempts for 1,317 yards and a 4:5 TD:INT while adding 146 yards on the ground on 18 carries. However, Shough -- who is a rookie but is exactly one year older than Rattler -- may be the favorite for the QB1 role heading into training camp after the Saints took him in the second round of April's NFL Draft. As it currently stands, both QBs should have an opportunity to make a case for the Week 1 starting role throughout camp and preseason play, though there's an outside chance New Orleans could bring in a more seasoned QB via free agency or trade.

Shough is lined up to be the Saints' starting quarterback next season after Derek Carr (shoulder) announced his retirement Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Coming into the weekend, there were already questions about Carr's potential availability for the 2025 campaign due to the veteran quarterback's shoulder issue, and his decision to retire has left the Saints with a QB room featuring Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Rattler struggled as a rookie last year, completing just 57 percent of his passes while posting a 4:5 TD:INT, but he did rush for 146 yards on just 18 carries and could get a chance to begin the season as the starter behind center given that he is the most experienced of the group. However, Shough should at least have the opportunity to battle for the Week 1 starting role and may be the favorite for the job after the Saints took him the second round of April's NFL Draft. Though he's an NFL rookie, Shough is 26 years old, so New Orleans has little incentive to stash him on the bench for development purposes, but there's always a possibility the organization brings in a more experienced quarterback via free agency or trade.

Carr (shoulder) has decided to retire from the NFL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Carr ended the 2024 season on the sidelines with a broken left hand and an oblique injury that he suffered in Week 14 against the Giants. He later suffered a labral tear in his right shoulder while gearing up for the 2025 season. Tyler Shough, taken in the second round of the 2025 Draft, could emerge as New Orleans' starting QB with Carr retiring.

Rourke (knee) won't participate in the 49ers' rookie camp, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 2025 seventh-round pick played his final collegiate season on a torn ACL, so it's no surprise that he won't be ready for San Francisco's rookie minicamp. During Rourke's final season at Indiana, he threw for 3,042 yards, 29 touchdowns and five picks, while also adding two rushing touchdowns. Once the 24-year-old returns from his ACL injury, he's expected to compete for a depth role in the 49ers' quarterback room.

The Steelers remain in contact with Rodgers and hope he'll eventually sign, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Trading WR George Pickens to the Cowboys makes Pittsburgh a less attractive destination for a QB in general, but it won't necessarily impact Rodgers' decision between the Steelers and retirement, especially if he already expected Pickens to be dealt. Reports in mid-April suggested the 41-year-old was focused on his personal life and eventually would either retire or sign with Pittsburgh. There's been no report on a specific timeline for that decision, but the Steelers presumably would appreciate knowing before OTAs begin May 27.