NFL Player News

Samuel (knee) is expected to practice Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Coach Kyle Shanahan noted after Saturday's divisional-round win at Green Bay that Samuel suffered an ankle injury late in the contest. However, Shanahan clarified Monday that Samuel took a helmet to his right knee or leg. Samuel was his usual versatile self in tough weather conditions this past weekend, taking 10 carries for 39 yards and reeling in three of four passes for 44 yards. His first chance to mix into drills this week arrives Wednesday, after which the 49ers will relay his activity level, if any.

Darden, who exited Sunday's divisional-round loss to the Rams in the fourth quarter with a concussion, returned four kickoffs for 62 yards and one punt for five yards prior to his injury. He completed his rookie season with six receptions for 43 yards on 12 targets, one carry for 11 yards and 501 combined return yards across nine games.

The Bucs have high hopes for Darden as an eventual downfield threat, but given the depth the team enjoyed at receiver most of the season, 2021 was more about acclimating the North Texas product to the speed of the NFL. That was primarily accomplished through getting Darden consistent work on returns as the season unfolded, and his solid efforts in that capacity helped lead to the eventual cut of fellow wideout/returner Jaydon Mickens. Darden should have more opportunities than the 87 total snaps he logged from scrimmage during his rookie campaign come 2022, particularly if Chris Godwin (knee) and Breshad Perriman (hip) depart via free agency.

The Saints will sign Merritt to a reserve/future contract Monday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Merritt spent most of the 2021 campaign on the Dolphins' practice squad and was elevated to the active roster twice. He secured one of three targets for 13 yards and now will attempt to carve out a role with New Orleans during the offseason.

Hodgins signed a reserve/future contract with the Bills on Monday.

Hodgins spent the season on Buffalo's practice squad after failing to make the season-opening roster. The 2020 sixth-round pick was elevated for one game this year and played four offensive snaps without receiving a target.

The Titans signed Kinsey to a reserve/future contract Monday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Kinsey failed to make the Titans' 53-man roster to begin the 2021 campaign, and he appeared in just one game while spending most of the season on the practice squad. The 23-year-old will continue to develop with the organization during the offseason.

Bourne finished the 2021 regular season with 55 catches (on 70 targets) for 800 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 12 carries for 125 yards in 17 games

Bourne, who averaged 14.5 yards per catch, also logged a 25-yard TD pass and is slated to remain a key cog in New England's passing offense next season, per Paul Perillo of the team's official site. The 26-year-old, who is signed through 2023, once again should be joined by Jakobi Meyers (a pending restricted free agent) and Nelson Agholor (signed through 2022), but how the team's WR depth chart will look beyond that trio remains to be seen.

Agholor finished the 2021 regular season with 37 catches (on 64 targets) for 473 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games.

As Paul Perillo of the Patriots' official site points out, Agholor, who logged regular snaps alongside Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne, showed flashes in his first season with the team but lacked consistency. With that in mind, Perillo suggests that the 28-year-old's contract (which calls for a cap hit of almost $15 million next season) makes him a candidate for a restructure this offseason. At this stage, we'd expect Agholor, Meyers (who is a pending restricted free agent) and Bourne (signed through 2023) to all be back in 2022, but it wouldn't surprise if New England looks to add a playmaking wideout or two via trade, free agency or the draft in the coming months.

Meyers finished the 2021 regular season with a team-high 83 catches on 126 targets for 866 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 17 games.

Per Paul Perillo of the Patriots' official site, Meyers is a pending restricted free agent this offseason, but we'd expect the team to find a way to retain the 25-year-old in 2022. With that in mind, Perillo suggests that a second-round tender probably would facilitate such an outcome. If that happens, Meyers will remain a key cog in a WR corps that also will feature Kendrick Bourne (signed through 2023) and Nelson Agholor (signed through 2022). Beyond that trio, it remains to be seen how the rest of the depth chart will look next season, but it wouldn't surprise to see New England look to add a playmaking wideout in the coming months, be it via trade, free agency or the draft.

Strachan caught two of his three targets for 26 yards across six appearances during the 2021 campaign.

Both of Strachan's receptions came during Week 1 against the Seahawks. The rookie saw only one target Week 2 before being a healthy scratch for 11 of the last 15 games, including the final eight. He'll still be under contract for the 2022 season, but behind Michael Pittman, the Colts' wideout corps could be in store for a facelift during the offseason.

Patmon caught two of his four targets for 21 yards and one touchdown across eight appearances during the 2021 campaign.

Patmon was on the active roster for an eight-game stretch from Weeks 9 through 17. The 2020 sixth-round pick played double-digit snaps twice but never recorded more than one target in any contest. His lone touchdown came on a 14-yard catch against the Cardinals in Week 16. The second-year pro will be under his rookie contract through the 2023 season, but it remains to be seen if his role will expand next year.