NFL Player News

The Cowboys could seriously consider releasing Cooper prior to the start of the new league year, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter quotes a league source as saying Dallas is "likely" to release Cooper, who will be owed a fully guaranteed $20 million March 20, the fifth day of the new league year. The news seems a likely indication that the Cowboys would listen to trade offers for the 27-year-old wideout, who was limited to 68 catches for 865 yards and eight scores through 15 appearances in 2021 but previously put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Releasing Cooper would free up $16 million for Dallas with just $6 million in dead cap, and position CeeDee Lamb to take over as the unquestioned No. 1 target in the passing game. If he does hit free agency, Cooper will undoubtedly have a plethora of interested suitors.

Beckham (knee) is expected to return to game action in early November, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Beckham suffered a torn ACL in the Super Bowl and underwent surgery Feb. 23. It's expected that he will return to the field toward the latter portion of a six-to-nine month timeline, lining him up for a return in the middle of the 2022 campaign. It's less certain where Beckham will be playing, as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent once the new league year begins. Rapoport noted that there is mutual interest between Beckham and the Rams for a reunion, but that his recovery timeline could impact whether a deal ultimately gets done.

Coach Pete Carroll clarified Wednesday that Metcalf underwent a minor offseason procedure to remove a screw from his left foot, Liz Matthews of USA Today reports. "They fixed a surgery that he had on his foot a couple of years back," Carroll noted of the wideout, whose practice reps were managed last season as he dealt with a lingering foot issue. "They just had to go in there and adjust some stuff in his foot. It bothered him all year long."

Though the report doesn't specify when the 2019 second-rounder will be able work fully on the field, the hope is that by addressing the issue, Metcalf will be able to practice on a regular basis this coming season. Despite his foot woes, Metcalf played all 17 of Seattle's games last season en route to catching 75 of his 129 targets for 967 yards and career-high 12 TDs. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder is set to continue to combine with Tyler Lockett in 2022 to form a talented 1-2 punch atop the team's wideout depth chart.

The Giants have discussed the possibility of Shepard (Achilles) needing to take a pay cut this offseason, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Shepard is scheduled for a cap hit of roughly $12.5 million in the 2022 season, while coming off an injury-plagued campaign that ended with a torn left Achilles mid-December. However, his recovery is apparently progressing nicely, as he could be good to go by early summer, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Nor are injury concerns a new development for Shepard, who missed eight regular-season games from 2019-20. While the Giants do have incentive to keep Shepard in house, as he's proven to be one of Daniel Jones' most trusted targets when healthy, it's worth noting that the team can also get out of the final two years of his contract for just under $8 million in dead cap.

Brown and the Titans have engaged in preliminary extension in the early stages of the offseason, Jim Wyatt of Tennessee's official site reports.

Brown is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the Titans are seemingly eager to come to terms on a long-term deal to ensure he doesn't reach free agency. The wideout has served as a key in the passing offense since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, topping 50 receptions and 850 receiving yards in each of his three seasons. Durability has been just about the only knock on Brown, as he has dealt with chest, knee and hamstring issues in the past couple of years. Nevertheless, he should be in line for a lucrative extension given his notable production he's already put up despite not turning 25 years old until June.

The Cardinals have granted Isabella permission to seek a trade, Marc Bertrand of 98.5 The Sports Hub Boston reports.

Isabella was a healthy inactive for about half of his third NFL season in Arizona, and across his eight appearances in 2021, he was targeted only once. The 2019 second-round pick could stand to benefit from a change of scenery, as almost anywhere else would be an improvement for his outlook. Even if a trade were to occur, sabella is likely only on the fantasy radar in deeper dynasty formats at this point.

Chark, who suffered a season-ending fractured ankle in Week 4 of the 2021 season, continues to rehab from the injury as free agency approaches, John Reid Florida Times-Union reports.

Chark, who was limited to just seven catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns in four games this past season, is poised to become an unrestricted free agent, and Reid suggests that the 2018 second-rounder potentially could ink a short-term contract extension with the Jaguars. That said, it's also plausible that the 25-year-old wideout could field more lucrative offers from other teams if he hits the open market. Either way, once Chark re-proves his health, the 6-foot-4, 198-pounder -- who logged a 73-1,008-8 stat line in 15 contests back in 2019 -- profiles as a fantasy bounce-back candidate in 2022.

Thomas (ankle) restructured his contract Saturday to create nearly $14 million in cap space for the Saints, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The deal adds an extra two voidable years to Thomas' contract, but more importantly this almost guarantees the All-Pro wideout will play for the Saints next season. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported last week a reconciliation between both parties seemingly occurred after months of reported tension between player and front office. Thomas, who is still rehabbing his ankle after a second surgery in the last 12 months, is expected to be healthy in time for the new campaign.

Beckham announced Tuesday in a post on his personal Instagram account that he underwent successful surgery to address a torn ACL in his left knee.

Beckham required the procedure after suffering a non-contact ACL tear during the Rams' win over the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13. The timing of the 29-year-old's injury means that he almost certainly won't be ready for the start of the 2022 campaign, and his availability for the entire season could be in question given that he tore the ACL in the same knee in October 2020. Beckham is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason after having maxed out his incentive-laden one-year deal with Los Angeles, but both sides could share interest in agreeing on a new contract.

Taylor was signed to the Bengals' offseason roster Tuesday.

Taylor was elevated to the active roster for each of the Bengals' final eight games this season, including the Super Bowl. The 2017 fifth-round pick of the 49ers operated primarily as a punt returner for Cincinnati, but he did catch a critical two-point conversion during the team's comeback in the AFC Championship Game. He figures to have a similar role next season.