NFL Player News

Coutee and Randall Cobb are the main candidates for slot snaps in Houston this season, John McClain of The Houston Chronicle reports.

Coutee got some perimeter work late last season when Houston's wide receiver group was decimated by injuries, but he's otherwise been a slot specialist throughout his pro career, much like the 30-year-old Cobb. It is possible one of the two could get more playing time on the outside this year, considering Chris Conley and rookie third-round pick Nico Collins look like the best bets for the starting job across from Brandin Cooks. In terms of the slot role, Coutee won't have it easy trying to dispatch Cobb, whose $8.25 million base salary is fully guaranteed. On the other hand, Coutee did have 362 receiving yards over the final five weeks of 2020, and he's only 24 years old as he enters the last season of his rookie contract.

The 49ers claimed Webster off waivers from the Rams on Wednesday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Webster joins a crowded 49ers receiving corps, where he'll face steep competition for a role on special teams or a practice-squad spot. He only handled eight offensive snaps for the Rams in 2020, but he received 254 reps on special teams.

Beckham (knee) told Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield that he's feeling good as training camp approaches, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. "About a month ago I would have said that [Beckham] looks very, very good, and I know after speaking with him that he feels even better," Mayfield said Wednesday. "So I'll let you guys see that for yourself."

Beckham went through drills at June minicamp, seven months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL. He seems to be ahead of the typical rehab timeline for the injury, but it'll still be no surprise if the Browns limit his workload throughout training camp and preseason. Beckham has dealt with a series of lower-body injuries since early 2017, making only 39 regular-season appearances over the past four years. He's put up solid, but non-elite numbers when healthy in that stretch, averaging 5.1 catches for 69.4 yards and 0.41 touchdowns per game.

The Vikings appear to have open competition at wide receiver behind Thielen and Justin Jefferson, Lindsey Young of the team's official site reports.

Jefferson may have eclipsed Thielen for No. 1 billing, but the soon-to-be 31-year-old shouldn't lose many targets to other wide receivers, as the Vikings again have shaky depth at the position. Last year's No. 3 wideout, Chad Beebe, caught only 20 passes in 14 games, and his competition this spring will come from Bisi Johnson and rookie fifth-round pick Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Despite being the ostensible No. 2 receiver in a run-first offense, Thielen shouldn't land too far from his 2020 average of 7.2 targets per game, with the Vikings offense continuing to run through him, Jefferson and running back Dalvin Cook.

Sutton (knee) was limited to individual drills in spring practices and may have his workload managed at the start of training camp, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

Sutton said in May that he was on track for training camp, and Broncos head coach Vic Fangio backed that sentiment up in mid-June, when he said the wideout wasn't likely to be placed on the PUP list. Coming back from ACL and MCL tears suffered in Week 2 last season, Sutton will be about 11 months removed from surgery when the Broncos kick off their 2021 campaign Sept. 12 at the Giants. The 25-year-old is in the fourth and final season of his rookie contract, playing in a Denver offense that looks solid at every position besides quarterback. Barring a late trade acquisition, the Broncos will have Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater competing for the starting quarterback job this August.

Webster was waived by the Rams on Tuesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Webster was a special teams contributor the past two seasons in Los Angeles, but will now look to compete for a roster spot elsewhere. He only played eight offensive snaps for the Rams last season.

Evans looked leaner at June minicamp, according to Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site.

Evans has always been one of the league's largest wideouts, typically listed with his combine measurement of 6-foot-5, 231 pounds. He might be a bit lighter this summer, but he'll still have the size advantage over every defensive back he faces. The soon-to-be 28-year-old finished last season with a career high for touchdowns (13) and a career low for targets (106), ultimately reaching 1,000 yards (just barely) for a seventh straight year. Tampa Bay's offense looks much the same as last season, featuring Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown at wide receiver, while O.J. Howard returns from an Achilles tear to join Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate at tight end.

Ford re-signed with the Dolphins on Friday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

A 2017 seventh-round pick, Ford has caught 51 passes in 19 games for the Dolphins, even making a start in Week 17 last year. However, he's looking at a crowded depth chart in Miami, which explains why the team didn't give him a restricted free agent tender at the beginning of the offseason. The Dolphins have since added Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle, plus they have Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns returning from COVID-19 opt outs. Ford will need a strong camp just to have a shot at making the Week 1 roster.

Robinson will play 2021 under a franchise tag, as he didn't sign a multi-year contract before the Thursday deadline, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Reports from the past week suggested it was a long shot for Robinson and the Bears to work anything out. The soon-to-be 28-year-old thus stands to make $17.98 million this upcoming season, before hitting free agency (or receiving a second franchise tag) next spring. Robinson probably isn't thrilled, but his decision to sign the franchise tender in March suggests he isn't planning a holdout. Coming off back-to-back seasons with 150-plus targets, he'll hope to get a QB upgrade after the Bears added Andy Dalton and Justin Fields in the offseason.

Godwin and the Buccaneers were unable to reach agreement on a long-term contract before Thursday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Panthers OT Taylor Moton was the only franchise-tagged player to sign a long-term contract in the days/hours leading up to the deadline. The Bucs reportedly intend to continue negotiations with Godwin next offseason, but he'll first play out 2021 under a franchise tender for $15.98 million. While the Bucs have a deep group of pass catchers, Godwin and Mike Evans both figure to see at least seven or eight targets per game from QB Tom Brady.