NFL Player News

Diggs (ACL) participated in on-field work in uniform and without a brace on his right knee at Day 3 of OTAs on Thursday, Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com reports.

The Patriots' photo release of OTAs reveals Diggs looking healthy and without any apparent hindrances related to his right knee, in which he suffered a torn right ACL on Oct. 27. While the 31-year-old wideout likely still has some hurdles to overcome in his rehab before being cleared for contact, his ability to get in some on-field work at voluntary OTAs lends further optimism to the notion he'll be a full-go for Week 1. Since signing Diggs to a three-year, $69 million deal in free agency, New England added a speedy vertical threat to the wide receiver room in the form of third-round pick Kyle Williams, plus a capable pass catcher in the backfield in second-rounder TreVeyon Henderson. Those additions don't represent huge threats to Diggs' position as the clear top target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye, health permitting, but Henderson and Williams are explosive options that this offense had otherwise been lacking in that regard with incumbent wideouts DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Mack Hollins, Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) and Javon Baker.

Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Wednesday that Burton has "done a good job" this offseason, Chris Roling of USA Today reports.

Burton, a 2024 third-round pick from Alabama, struggled throughout his rookie campaign, catching just four passes for 107 yards and tallying 378 kick-return yards over 14 games. Additionally, the Bengals had concerns about the 23-year-old's character, as he missed a pregame walkthrough and was involved in other incidents during the 2024 season. However, Taylor seems to be impressed with Burton's progression this offseason. If he can continue to impresses Cincinnati's staff this summer, Burton could serve as the team's No. 3 wide receiver in 2025.

Burden (undisclosed) is not participating in Wednesday's offseason practice due to a soft-tissue injury, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The exact nature of Burden's injury has yet to be disclosed, but Kaitlin Sharkey of WGNTV reports that there is currently no timetable for the rookie second-round pick's return. It's less than ideal for Burden to be missing early install reps, but he has roughly two weeks to recover before the start of mandatory minicamp June 3, not to mention training camp in late July. When healthy, Burden is expected to push for a starting role alongside DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Head coach Ben Johnson called Burden's injury "a little soft tissue deal," per Adam Jahns of The Athletic, an indication that the Missouri product isn't managing an overly serious issue.

McLaurin is not in attendance at Washington's final voluntary offseason workout Wednesday, though he had previously been a full participant, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

McLaurin is heading into the final season of the three-year, $68.2 million extension he inked with the Commanders in 2022. Fresh off a 2024 campaign in which he connected with QB Jayden Daniels to the tune of an 82-1,096-13 receiving line, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors, McLaurin's value to Washington's offense is greater than the $19-20 million in real-money compensation he's slated to earn in 2025. General manager Adam Peters said in late March that he'd like to work out an extension with McLaurin before Week 1, but the 29-year-old's absence from the final session of voluntary workouts now puts some pressure on the team to finalize a deal prior to mandatory minicamp, which will kick off June 10. Offseason trade acquisition Deebo Samuel figures to command pressure from opposing defenses without significantly threatening McLaurin's dominant target share in the deep and intermediate portions of the field, so even if hit by TD regression, the No. 1 wideout's overall volume and production has some room for growth in Year 2 with Daniels at the helm of Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

Dowell (knee) was an active participant in Tennessee's OTAs on Tuesday.

Dowell was sidelined for the entirety of last season after tearing his ACL and meniscus in Week 17 of the 2023 the campaign but is healthy again. The 2023 seventh-round pick saw limited action offensively during his rookie campaign, as he caught just one pass for three yards and saw the majority of his playing time on special teams. Dowell will likely have a similar role during the upcoming season should he make the team's final roster.

Luther signed with the Panthers on Tuesday.

Luther was waived by the Panthers on May 8, but the team has decided to bring back the 25-year-old. He has yet to appear in an NFL regular-season game after going undrafted out of Gardner-Webb in 2022. In a corresponding move, the Panthers waived/injured Moose Muhammad on Tuesday.

The Bills waived Presley on Tuesday.

Presley wasn't selected in the 2025 NFL Draft but signed with the Bills after. He didn't last long with the team, however, and loses his roster spot to veteran wideout Kristian Wilkerson. Presley posted a 31-429-3 receiving line as a senior at Baylor in 2024.

Wilkerson signed with the Bills on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The wide receiver worked out for Buffalo last Wednesday. Wilkerson has appeared in nine regular-season games across four seasons with the Patriots and Raiders, recording six catches for 60 yards and three touchdowns. He has played on only 30 special-teams snaps in his career as well, so it may be hard for him to make the Bills.

The Packers signed Janke on Wednesday.

Janke spent time with both the Texans and Dolphins during the 2024 offseason but has yet to appear in an NFL game. He will face an uphill battle to make Green Bay's final roster and could be a candidate to land on the practice squad.

Packers passing game coordinator Jason Vrable said Wednesday that Reed (shoulder) has bulked up to 199 pounds this offseason and is acting as a leader in the wide receiver room, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Reed's playing weight was listed at 187 pounds last season, so if he's able to retain his quickness despite adding bulk, additional muscle will boost his odds of managing a Year 3 breakout. General manager Brian Gutekunst said that the team still views Reed as its "top receiver" despite drafting Matthew Golden (23rd overall) and Savion Williams (87th overall) in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, but it's nonetheless difficult to project exactly how much target volume the slot specialist will be able to demand in what now looks like one of the league's more crowded WR rooms. Reed has managed to lead Green Bay in both receptions and receiving yards in his first two seasons in the league, but he's not yet strung together a 1,000-yard season. He was forced out of the team's playoff loss to Philadelphia early due to a dislocated shoulder, but Reed was able to avoid surgery and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said he "looks great" at voluntary practices.