NFL Player News

Crabtree remains unsigned, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Crabtree was released by the Ravens in late February after a fifth consecutive season with less than 11.5 yards per catch and 7.0 yards per target. However, he did catch a pair of touchdown passes in the team's lone playoff game, thereby adding to his reputation as a useful red-zone weapon. Even so, the 31-year-old wideout will have a difficult time finding a team that views him as a probable starter. Crabtree may even need to compete for a roster spot, assuming he continues his NFL career. OverTheCap.com estimates his cumulative salary earnings at $62.23 million through 10 professional seasons.

Coach Sean McVay said on The Rich Eisen Show that Kupp is "doing good" in his rehab from a torn ACL in his left knee, with the aim to have him operating at close to 100 percent by Week 1.

Almost exactly five months removed from the injury and subsequent surgery, Kupp is on pace with his rehab by all indications. He even began running at the Rams' facility in mid-March, according to Clarence Dennis of the team's official site. There's a belief Kupp will be ready to participate in training camp in late July and early August, but the real test will be in-game reps at some point in the preseason. After he was lost for the season Week 10, Jared Goff surpassed 300 yards passing just twice in nine games (as opposed to six times in the first 10 contests). A healthy Kupp should revitalize the aerial attack.

Montgomery's one-year contract is a veteran minimum deal with a $90,000 signing bonus, Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News reports.

Montgomery's experience and receiving ability might make him the favorite for the No. 2 running back job, but his contract suggests he'll face competition from Elijah McGuire, Trenton Cannon and De'Angelo Henderson. The 26-year-old hasn't done much of note since 2016 and could end up on the roster bubble if he struggles to get acclimated during the offseason program. Coach Adam Gase said he's wary of overworking Le'Veon Bell, but it's still a good bet the prized offseason acquisition pushes for 20 touches per game (his career average is 24.9).

Adams expects to handle more snaps in the slot under new coach Matt LaFleur, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. "(They) may not want to travel so-and-so with me inside," Adams said Wednesday. "If that will take their No. 1 off me, and I can get some mismatches maybe on the backer or the safety or anybody else, I think that is beneficial."

In addition to moving around the formation more often, Adams expects the new offense to place a heavy emphasis on crossing routes, whereas Mike McCarthy's scheme relied on receivers winning one-on-one battles outside. The 26-year-old obviously did just fine in the old system, but he's yet to top 8.2 yards per target in a season, so there is some theoretical room for growth beyond last year's 111-1,386-13 receiving line in 15 games. With Randall Cobb leaving for Dallas and no replacement signed in free agency, Adams is primed for another season handling a massive target share in an Aaron Rodgers offense.

Montgomery is signing a one-year contract with the Jets, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The division rival Dolphins were expected to meet with Montgomery on Friday after the running back met with the Jets on Thursday, but it's now evident New York isn't letting him slip away. With shaky depth behind Le'Veon Bell, Montgomery initially enters the Jets backfield as a legitimate candidate to open the season as the No. 2 running back. He'll compete with Elijah McGuire, Trenton Cannon and De'Angelo Henderson.

Montgomery is expected to visit the Jets on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Initially drafted as a wide receiver by the Packers in 2015, Montgomery made cameos at running back in 2016 and officially made the position switch one season later. However, he's dealt with injuries often in his career and earned just 25 touches in six games last season after he was dealt to Baltimore. In four campaigns, Montgomery has averaged 4.9 yards per carry, hauled in 73.3 percent of his 146 targets, and churned out 22.7 yards per kickoff return on 35 tries. The Jets also brought in Spencer Ware on Wednesday, so Montgomery appears to be in consideration for a reserve role behind Le'Veon Bell and Elijah McGuire.

Shepard agreed in principle Wednesday with the Giants on a four-year, $41 million extension, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Shepard, who was set to become a free agent next offseason, gets a deal that surpasses that of new teammate Golden Tate, who received a four-year, $37.5 million contract from the Giants last month. The extension immediately quiets any speculation that Tate's addition has put Shepard on the trade block and suggests the latter is a big part of what the Giants want to do offensively moving forward. With Tate specializing in the slot, Shepard seems poised for more work on the outside than he has seen in the past. In addition to Tate, Shepard will have to contend for targets with Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram.

Gibson faces added competition for a roster spot after the Eagles signed former AAF wideouts Charles Johnson and Greg Ward, Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com reports.

Ward is a familiar face who spent most of 2017 on Philadelphia's practice squad, while Johnson has no history with the organization but led the AAF in catches and receiving yards. A 2017 fifth-round pick, Gibson was active for 15 games in 2018, playing 151 snaps on special teams and just 64 on offense. He'll compete with Johnson, Ward, Mack Hollins (groin), Braxton Miller and a few other players for what likely will be two or three roster spots. Alshon Jeffery (ribs), DeSean Jackson (Achilles) and Nelson Agholor are locked in atop the Eagles' depth chart at wide receiver.

Ward signed a one-year contract with the Eagles on Tuesday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Ward accounted for 70 touchdowns in his final two seasons (2015-16) playing quarterback at the University of Houston and caught on with the Philadelphia practice squad as an undrafted rookie wideout in 2017. Released by the Eagles at the end of 2018 training camp, Ward joined the San Antonio Commanders of the now-defunct AAF, catching 22 of 40 targets for 214 yards in eight games. He'll be a long shot to stick on the 53-man roster, competing with Mack Hollins (groin), Shelton Gibson, Braxton Miller, Johnny Holton and AAF receiving leader Charles Johnson.

Taylor has workouts scheduled with the Vikings on Monday and the Seahawks on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Taylor missed the entire 2018 season after having surgery on both hips. He's spent his entire pro career with the Broncos, landing on the practice squad as an undrafted rookie in 2015, then catching 29 passes in 26 games between the 2016 and 2017 campaigns. These workouts are Taylor's opportunity to show two teams in search of wide receiver depth that he's fully healthy and ready to contribute once again. He'll hope to stick on the back end of a 53-man roster as a No. 4/5 receiver that can handle a sizable workload on special teams.