NFL Player News

Schwartz participated in Cleveland's mandatory minicamp Tuesday after recovering from an undisclosed injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegramreports.

Last week's development for Schwartz comes after he worked on the side during OTAs. The 2021 third-round pick is buried on the Browns' wide receiver depth chart and likely will find himself competing for a roster post heading into the 2023 season.

Smith-Schuster (undisclosed) is not expected to practice Monday at the opener of New England's mandatory minicamp, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Smith-Schuster has missed a substantial amount of offseason activities due to an undisclosed injury, per Zack Cox of NESN.com, meaning Mac Jones hasn't had ample opportunities to build chemistry with his projected top wide receiver ahead of the upcoming campaign. That's certainly not ideal for a passing attack already being revamped under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, but Smith-Schuster still has a bit of time left to get healthy and resume participating in offseason practices. DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne headline the Patriots' wideout room behind Smith-Schuster in addition to tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki.

Nacua has been earning praise for being a "fast-learner" and has been under the wing of Matthew Stafford while learning the offense, Stu Jackson of TheRams.com reports.

The fifth-round pick's position on the Rams' depth chart may have seemed tenuous in recent weeks, as the signing of veterans Tyler Johnson and Demarcus Robinson seemed to cast doubt on the notion Nacua would have a meaningful role in his rookie campaign. The reports from OTAs seem reassuring for fantasy managers, however, as Nacua has been earning accolades from both Cooper Kupp (ankle) and head coach Sean McVay for his work ethic, his ability to adapt to the pro level and his conscientiousness. McVay added, "He's a guy that we're expecting him to come in, expecting him to be able to contribute and compete," giving credence to Nacua still being able to earn a role on offense within the tier of wideouts behind Kupp and Van Jefferson, which include Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell, and the aforementioned Johnson and Robinson.

Renfrow, who left practice early Wednesday with an unspecified issue, participated in Thursday's minicamp session, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

With Renfrow past the concussion and oblique issues that caused him to miss seven games last season, the 27-year-old is in line to work in a Raiders wide receiver corps that also includes fellow returnee Davante Adams, free-agent addition Jakobi Meyers and rookie third-rounder Tre Tucker. There had been some speculation that the slot man might be traded this offseason, but Reed notes that nothing is imminent on that front. As long as Renfrow sticks around, he'll have a chance to bounce back from his subpar 2022 stat line (36/330/2 in 10 games) in an offense slated to be helmed by Jimmy Garoppolo, provided the veteran's recovery from a foot injury goes smoothly.

Hopkins is reportedly slated to meet with the Patriots next week, Evan Lazar of the team's official site notes.

The report relays that Hopkins, who was recently let go by the Cardinals, also plans to visit the Titans and potentially other teams in addition to the Patriots. If Hopkins ends up signing with New England, Lazar suggests that that the 31-year-old "would immediately give (the team's) offense a legit "X" receiver who would draw top coverage assignments, alter defensive game plans, and establish a proper pecking order in the Pats passing game." For now the Patriots' wideout corps is headed by JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne, though if Hopkins entered the mix, it's possible that the team could consider moving on from either Parker or Bourne, according to Dakota Randall of NESN.com.

Chark (ankle) participated in team drills at Thursday's practice, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

It was Chark's first action in 11-on-11 work since undergoing an offseason cleanup procedure on his ankle. He had been participating in individual work last week. Signed to a one-year deal by Carolina, Chark is expected to fill an outside, deep-threat role opposite Terrace Marshall with fellow veteran Adam Thielen manning the slot.

Coach Mike McDaniel said Hill (undisclosed) has been limited in OTAs due to "some minor injury," New England Sports Network reports.

Hill's injury doesn't appear to be of any serious concern for the Dolphins, but it will be worth monitoring as offseason activities progress. McDaniel also said Hill is "night and day ahead of where he was last year with regard to the offense, and has his mind set on improving and being even better from last year," though it's hard to ask for better production than a 2022 campaign which saw the 29-year-old notch career-highs in terms of both catches (119) and receiving yards (1,710). Of course, should McDaniel's scheme build on itself heading into Year 2, and if Tua Tagovailoa manages an injury-free season, the sky will be the limit for Hill, along with co-star wideout Jaylen Waddle.

Smith is slated to sign with the Cardinals, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Smith, who previously spent time with the Cowboys, saw action in the XFL last year. With the Cardinals, he'll have a chance to compete for a depth spot in a receiving corps that is currently headlined by Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore.

Robinson agreed to a contract with the Rams on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The 28-year-old underwent surgery to address a sports hernia in February, and he's presumably now healthy. Robinson spent last season in Baltimore and had 48 receptions for 458 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. The Rams' don't have much for established wideouts behind Cooper Kupp, so Robinson could earn a sizable role with a strong showing in training camp. Also in the team's wide receiver mix are returnees Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek and Tutu Atwell, as well as 2023 fifth-rounder Puka Nacua.

Lamb, who appeared to be favoring his left leg after making a catch in Wednesday's minicamp practice, isn't in line to participate in Thursday's session, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

While the Cowboys plan to err on the side of caution with Lamb in the team's last practice prior to training camp, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News relays that coach Mike McCarthy noted Thursday that he had "no concern" about Lamb's health. Once the 2020 first-rounder resumes practicing next month, he'll be in line to reprise his role as the top option in a Dallas wideout corps that also includes fellow returnee Michael Gallup as well as newcomer Brandin Cooks.