NFL Player News
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Mack Hollins WR | NE
Patriots' Mack Hollins: Not ready to practice
Coach Mike Vrabel said that that the Patriots won't open Hollins' (abdomen) practice window Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.
Hollins was placed on IR back on Dec. 27, but at this stage the wideout isn't ready to return to practice as the Patriots begin their preparation for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Broncos. For now, the team's available WRs are Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism. In 15 regular-season games prior to suffering an abdomen injury, Hollins caught 46 of his 65 targets for 550 yards and two TDs.
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Tank Dell WR | HOU
Texans' Tank Dell: GM optimistic regarding return
Houston general manager Nick Caserio said Wednesday that he expects Dell (knee) to be available for offseason activities, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Caserio acknowledged that the team will have a better idea about where Dell stands in his recovery from the pair of surgeries he underwent in early 2025 to address a major left knee injury once he gets on the field during OTAs. The GM's comments echo those of head coach DeMeco Ryans, who told Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle on Tuesday that Dell pushed hard to return toward the end of this past season. Dell's return should bolster an offense that was often out of sync in 2025, though it's fair to wonder if the fourth-year wideout's explosiveness might be compromised to some degree coming off surgery. Before sitting out the 2025 campaign, Dell registered 98 receptions on 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 games over his first two NFL seasons.
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Brandon Johnson WR | DEN
Brandon Johnson: Joins Denver's practice squad
The Broncos signed Johnson to the practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Johnson's addition to the practice squad gives the Broncos an additional option for elevation to the active roster in case one or both of Troy Franklin (hamstring) and Pat Bryant (concussion) are unable to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots. Johnson spent time with the Buccaneers and Steelers on their respective practice squads in 2025 and last saw regular-season action in Week 8 of the 2024 season with Pittsburgh.
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Malik Turner WR | SF
49ers' Malik Turner: Inks future deal with Niners
The 49ers signed Turner to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Turner spent the entire 2025 season on the 49ers' practice squad after not making the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He appeared in four games for Niners, including in their NFC wild-card win over the Eagles, when he played four snaps on offense while failing to haul in his lone target. As a member of the 49ers' 90-man roster, Turner will be eligible to participate in OTAs and minicamp, where he'll look to make a good impression on the coaching staff before the start of training camp in July.
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Junior Bergen WR | SF
49ers' Junior Bergen: Sticking around in Bay Area
Bergen signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on Tuesday.
Bergen was the 49ers' seventh-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. By signing a future deal, Bergen will be eligible to participate in offseason programs with the 49ers, including OTAs and minicamp.
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Jared Wayne WR | HOU
Texans' Jared Wayne: Staying in Houston
Wayne signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on Tuesday.
Wayne spent most of the 2025 season on the Texans' practice squad and was elevated for Week 8 against the 49ers, when he played 35 offensive snaps and caught both of his targets for 20 yards. He'll be on Houston's 90-man roster when the offseason commences Feb. 9, which allows him to participate in OTAs and minicamp and make a good impression on the coaching staff before the start of training camp in July.
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Josh Kelly WR | HOU
Texans' Josh Kelly: Sticking around in Houston
The Texans signed Kelly to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Kelly spent the entire 2025 season on the Texans' practice squad after failing to make the Cowboys' 53-man roster at the end of training camp in late August. He didn't appear in a regular-season game, but by signing a future contract, he'll be on Houston's 90-man roster for the offseason and will be eligible to participate in OTAs and minicamp.
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JP Richardson WR | CHI
Bears' JP Richardson: Signs future deal with Bears
Chicago signed Richardson to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Richardson signed with the Bears in April as an undrafted free agent and opted to stay in Chicago on the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster following the conclusion of training camp. His lone elevation to the active roster came in Week 17 against the 49ers, though he didn't end up seeing the field. Richardson will have the opportunity to participate in OTAs and minicamp during the offseason as a member of the Bears' 90-man roster.
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Maurice Alexander WR | CHI
Bears' Maurice Alexander: Sticking around in Chicago
The Bears signed Alexander to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Alexander spent most of the 2025 season on the Bears' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. His lone appearance came in Week 17 against the Packers, when he played one snap on offense without showing up on the box score otherwise. Alexander has appeared in eight regular-season games since entering the league in 2022 as an undrafted free agent, and he'll be a member of Chicago's 90-man roster when the offseason officially starts Feb. 9. That gives the Florida International product an opportunity to participate in offseason programs and make a positive impression on the coaching staff ahead of training camp in July.
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Malik Nabers WR | NYG
Giants' Malik Nabers: May be ready for training camp
Giants general manager Joe Schoen said that the team expects Nabers (knee) to be ready for the start of training camp in late July, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.
Nabers suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee Sept. 28 and underwent surgery in late October. He said after New York's win over the Cowboys in Week 18 that he won't play before he's fully healthy, per Dan Benton of USA Today, refusing to commit to being available for Week 1. Further clarity on Nabers' recovery timeline may not become available until summer, but if if the 2024 first-round pick is able to participate at the beginning of training camp, it will bode well for his chances of being available to kick off 2026. When back to full health, Nabers will be the clear No. 1 target for quarterback Jaxson Dart.