NFL Player News

Robinson is expected to become a free agent, Dianna Russini of ESPN reports.

Chicago reportedly won't opt to use the franchise tag on Robinson, who logged the worst statistical season of his career in 2021, excluding the 2017 campaign that saw him suffer a torn ACL in Week 1. After having secured just 38 of 66 targets for 410 yards and one touchdown in 12 appearances, a fresh start could be the best outcome for both Robinson's career and his fantasy prospects. The 28-year-old posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons from 2019-20, and if teams around the league are confident he can regain that sort of form, Robinson could find a number of interested suitors.

Crowder (calf) is expected to hit free agency, DJ Bien-Aime of the New York Daily News reports.

The soon-to-be 29-year-old inked a three-year, $28.5 million deal with the Jets back in 2019, but the veteran slot receiver's role on offense has since dwindled following the emergence of Elijah Moore. Crowder posted his least productive season with New York across 12 appearances in 2021, with just 447 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Soft tissue issues sidelined Crowder for five games last year, including a calf injury that forced him out of the season finale, but it looks like he will be fully healthy by the time he hits the open market.

Davis (ankle) signed a one-year, $895,000 contract with the Texans on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Davis was signed by the Texans off the Browns' practice squad at the beginning of October, but he made just two appearances with Houston before suffering a fractured left ankle that cost him the remainder of the campaign. Wilson relays that Davis' rehab from the surgery to repair the ankle is going well, and he should be ready to go for training camp ahead of the 2022 season.

The league announced Monday that Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The NFL's statement indicates that the wideout bet on games last season during a five-day stretch in late November while he was away from the Falcons on the reserve/non-football illness list. Per Ben Baby of ESPN.com, Ridley -- who last played on Oct. 24 -- is eligible for reinstatement Feb. 15, 2023. Ridley has three days to appeal the suspension.

The Buccaneers are expected to use their franchise tag on Godwin (knee) prior to Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, Tyler Dragon of USA Today reports.

Godwin, who is recovering from ACL and MCL tears in his right knee, looks like he will stick with Tampa Bay for the 2022 campaign under the team's franchise tag. That would mark the second consecutive year that Godwin has received the tag, so his salary would count $19.2 million against the cap. The tag may only serve as a placeholder for a long-term deal, however, as Dianna Russini of ESPN notes that the Buccaneers are still looking to work out an extension with Godwin. Through 14 appearances in the 2021 season, Godwin compiled career-high marks with 98 catches on 127 targets, which he translated into 1,103 yards and five touchdowns. While it's unclear whether Godwin will be at full strength to kick off the upcoming campaign, his ability to move the chains would doubtless prove a notable boon for whoever lines up under center for the Bucs in Week 1, with Tom Brady having retired.

The Cowboys and Gallup (knee) are reportedly working on a deal to keep the pending free agent with the team, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter's sources indicate that an agreement is considered close, with the latest on Gallup's chances of landing a new deal with Dallas arriving in the wake of a report that the team is prepared to move on from fellow pass-catcher Amari Cooper. In such a scenario, the Cowboys would free up needed cap space, some of which could go toward re-signing Gallup. Though the wideout is coming off a torn ACL suffered late last season, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News previously indicated that there is some optimism that the 26-year-old could be ready for start of the 2022 campaign.

The Chiefs and Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have reportedly exchanged contract proposals this week, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

With Hill -- who is slated to count $20.685 million against the salary cap in 2022 -- approaching the final season of a three-year extension he signed in 2019, the two sides seem amenable to crafting a deal to keep the wideout in Kansas City for the long term. Moreover, the report notes that an extension for Hill would likely feature a structure aimed at lowering his cap hit this year, which would help the team's ability to bolster an offensive nucleus that currently also includes franchise QB Patrick Mahomes and star TE Travis Kelce.

The Bills granted Beasley permission to seek a trade Friday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Garafolo adds that general manager Brandon Beane told him Thursday that the Bills would welcome the slot man back and "no door has been closed" -- however, at this stage, it looks like the 32-year-old could be on the move, either via a trade or by being cut, given his non-guaranteed salary for 2022. Beasley, who is approaching the final year of a four-year contract that he signed with with Buffalo in 2019, is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he recorded 82 catches (on 112 targets) for 693 yards and a TD in 16 games.

The Cowboys plan to try to trade Cooper before the start of the new league year March 16, but if no deal is reached, the wideout is likely to be released, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports.

If the 27-year-old ends up being cut, the wideout would count $6 million against the Cowboys' salary cap in 2022 versus $22 million otherwise. Cooper is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he caught 68 passes (on 104 targets) for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. If the Cowboys indeed part ways with Cooper, CeeDee Lamb would profile as the offense's top receiver option, while the team could elect to focus on re-signing Michael Gallup (knee), who is bouncing back from a torn ACL.

GM Mickey Loomis noted Thursday that Thomas is on track to return to the mix in 2022 after not playing last season due to a left ankle injury that required surgery, John DeShazier of the Saints' official site reports.

"We're expecting to have Mike back," Loomis said of Thomas, who was the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. "His progress hopefully is going well, and the reports are that it's been going well. I know he is certainly motivated; Michael is always motivated, so that's not an issue." While the Saints expect Thomas back this coming season to provide a boost to their pass-catching corps, which wideouts the 29-year-old -- who is signed through 2024 -- will be working alongside in 2022 remains to be determined, with Tre'Quan Smith slated to become an unrestricted free agent and Deonte Harris a restricted free agent.