NFL Player News

The Packers signed Sheppard to a reserve/future contract Monday.

Sheppard joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent this summer and was elevated to the active roster once during the regular season, but he didn't end up playing. The 23-year-old will participate in the Packers' offseason activities and attempt to earn a spot on the team's active roster next season.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday that Samuel's (elbow) 21-day practice window is expected to be opened this week, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel has been on injured reserve since Nov. 28, but he will be eligible to rejoin his teammates at practice as the Bills prepare to travel to Denver for an AFC divisional-round game Saturday. Gabe Davis (knee) tore his ACL in the wild-card win over the Jaguars, and Tyrell Shavers suffered a knee injury that is still being evaluated, so if Samuel proves healthy enough to return this weekend, Samuel could have a meaningful role in a receiving corps that also includes Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks and Keon Coleman.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday that Shavers (knee) is being evaluated in the wake of Sunday's 27-24 wild-card win over the Jaguars, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

Shavers briefly left the field Sunday to have a knee injury checked out by trainers, but he managed to retake the field, finishing the game with one catch for 14 yards (two targets). Meanwhile, McDermott has confirmed that Gabe Davis (knee) suffered a season-ending ACL tear Sunday. If Shavers is able to get fully healthy in time to face Denver in the AFC divisional round Saturday, he will stand to handle an increased role on offense due to Davis' absence.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday that Davis suffered a season-ending ACL tear during Sunday's 27-24 wild-card win over the Jaguars, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Davis' injury not only is season-ending, the timing and severity put the 26-year-old wideout's status for the beginning of the 2026 campaign in jeopardy. He secured two of three targets for 14 yards versus Jacksonville before being carted off the field in the second half. Davis is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he may well have to complete a full recovery from his left ACL tear before getting another opportunity to sign with a team around the league.

Legette caught one of four targets for eight yards during Saturday's 34-31 wild-card loss to the Rams. Additionally, he recorded 44 kick return yards.

The 2024 first-round pick from South Carolina was one of six Panthers to catch a pass from Bryce Young during Saturday's loss, finishing with the fifth-most receiving yards on the team. Across 15 regular-season appearances, Legette caught 35 of 64 targets for 363 yards and three touchdowns, finishing the year as Carolina's third-leading receiver. Heading into his third season in the NFL, Legette likely will remain a depth option in the Panthers' receiving corps following the emergence of Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker during the 2025 campaign.

Tolbert caught 18 of 34 targets for 203 yards and a touchdown over 13 games in 2025.

After a career-best campaign in 2024, Tolbert headed into the season third on the depth chart at wide receiver for the Cowboys behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The 2022 third-round pick fell out of favor after the first month of the season, however, and he was passed in the pecking order for snaps and targets by Ryan Flournoy. Tolbert is a free agent this offseason, and even with Pickens not guaranteed to return, it seems unlikely he'll be re-signed by Dallas.

Moore caught 11 of 23 targets for 207 yards and one touchdown while adding a nine-yard carry across 14 appearances during the 2025 regular season.

Moore began the season on the practice squad but spent most of the season on the Commanders' active roster and saw a surprisingly high amount of usage due to the team's injuries at wide receiver. That didn't amount to much production, though. He'll be a free agent ahead of his age-33 season and will likely have to compete for a roster spot somewhere in training camp.

Smith signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Smith appeared in seven regular-season games for the Eagles as a rookie, but the 2024 fifth-round draft pick was waived prior to the 2025 season and subsequently signed with Carolina's practice squad, where he spent the entire 2025 campaign. He will likely get a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Panthers in training camp in 2026.

Johnston secured three of six targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 16-3 loss to the Patriots in the wild-card round.

Johnston finished second on the Chargers in terms of targets behind Keenan Allen (eight), but like the rest of Los Angeles' pass-catching offense which Ladd McConkey led with just 32 receiving yards, he was inefficient versus New England's defense. Still, during the regular season, Johnston demonstrated improved chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert, as the 2023 first-round pick managed a respectable 51-735-8 line on 84 targets across 14 regular-season appearances. Johnston also was hampered by shin, hamstring, groin and shoulder injuries during the second half of the campaign. He'll look to take another step forward in 2026, which is currently positioned as the final year of his rookie deal with the Chargers, though the team could exercise his fifth-year option this offseason.

Reed signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Reed spent his rookie 2025 season on Carolina's practice squad. The wide receiver out of San Diego has yet to make his NFL regular-season debut.