NFL Player News

Brown finished the 2024 regular season with just nine catches (on 15 targets) for 91 yards over two games played.

Brown joined the Chiefs on a one-year pact during the offseason aiming to better his contract options this offseason, but a preseason shoulder injury cost him most of the 2024 regular season. He did compile nine catches over the final two regular-season contests but didn't contribute a ton in the Chiefs' three playoff contests, combining for just five catches for 50 yards on 13 targets. The vertical threat has missed time in the last three seasons and hasn't really shined in the last pair. However, he still has a 1,000-yard receiving campaign under his belt and is only entering his age 28 season in 2025, so there will likely be several teams interested in his services as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Jackson (knee) agreed to a contract with the Patriots on Wednesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

After going undrafted out of Rutgers last spring, Jackson initially signed with the Falcons before being cut in June and then catching on with New England. Though the wideout impressed New England's coaching staff during training camp, his hopes of making the 53-man roster ended after he suffered a non-contact knee injury during the Patriots' second preseason game. Jackson spent the entire season on injured reserve, but the 25-year-old will be brought back in the fold for 2025 and could get a chance to compete for a roster spot once again this spring and summer.

Kansas City signed Brownlee to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports reports.

Brownlee was signed to the team's practice squad Jan. 15 to give Kansas City depth at wide receiver during the postseason. He wasn't elevated to the active roster, but by signing a futures deal, Brownlee will be on the 90-man roster when the new league year begins March 12. He'll take part in OTAs, minicamp and training camp but is a long shot to earn a spot on the 53-man roster for the 2025 season.

Ross signed a reserve/future contract with Kansas City on Tuesday, Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports reports.

Ross was unable to make the team's 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but he stuck around on the practice squad. He did not record a catch in Week 9 and 10 when he was elevated to the active roster, and he was a healthy scratch for the AFC Championship Game against the Bills. Ross will be on Kansas City's 90-man roster when the new league year begins March 12, which will give him an opportunity to participate in OTAs, minicamp and training camp.

Thonton signed a reserve/future contract with Kansas City on Tuesday, Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports reports.

Thornton was waived by the Patriots in mid-November after a disappointing six-game stretch to start the 2024 season, during which he logged just four catches on eight targets for 47 yards. The 2022 second-round pick landed on Kansas City's practice squad Nov. 18, and while he wasn't ever elevated to the active roster, Thornton will have an opportunity to work out with Kansas City during OTAs, minicamp and training camp.

Worthy brought in all eight of his targets for 157 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 40-22 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

Worthy ended up being the lone bright spot in terms of stat lines following Kansas City's crushing loss to Philadelphia. The 21-year-old finished with game highs in receptions, yardage and touchdowns scored for either side in what was an incredible individual performance. Worthy finished his first regular season in the pros with 742 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns in 17 games. His strong play in the playoffs only reinforced the youngster's bright future as a top offensive option for the Chiefs.

Smith brought in four of five targets for 69 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' 40-22 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.

Smith had enjoyed his fair share of success against Steve Spagnuolo's Chiefs defenses in the previous two meetings, including the Eagles' narrow Super Bowl LVII loss to Kansas City two years prior when he'd recorded seven receptions for 100 yards. Therefore, Smith's team-leading yardage total Sunday wasn't exactly a surprise, and he got to that number with a back-breaking 46-yard touchdown grab on a perfectly thrown ball by Jalen Hurts late in the third quarter. Smith was particularly consistent down the stretch of the regular season and throughout the postseason, posting a combined 39-470-4 line on 44 targets from Week 15 on. Smith enters the second season of a $75 million extension in 2025, so he'll once again project as a key component of the offense as the Eagles look to win back-to-back titles.

Brown secured three of five targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' 40- 22 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.

Brown saw a 32-yard reception on the Eagles' first drive wiped out by an offensive pass interference penalty against him, but the talented wideout would go on to make up for it with a 22-yard reception on third down early in the second quarter and a 12-yard touchdown grab later in the period. He finished second on the team in catches and tied for second in targets with fellow wideout DeVonta Smith on the night, and after mustering just a 3-24-0 line during the Eagles' first two playoff games, Brown amassed a combined nine catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets during the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl.

The 49ers have granted Samuel (ribs) and his agent permission to find a trade partner, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Samuel requested a trade during his exit meeting with the team following the conclusion of the regular season, and San Francisco appears willing to comply with the request. After recording a career-best 77 catches for 1,405 yards with 365 rushing yards over 16 regular-season games in 2021, Samuel has struggled to replicate that production, with his best campaign in the three years since being 2023, when he posted a modest 892 yards on 60 receptions along with 225 rushing yards in 15 regular-season contests. The versatile wideout's ability to work as a ball carrier out of the backfield and to return kicks no doubt adds to his appeal, but Samuel also has dealt with various injuries in recent campaigns, and he's played in 43 of a possible 51 regular-season contests since 2021. Samuel appears to be ready to move on from the 49ers, saying, "It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have. ... But I have to do what's best. I'm more than thankful for the Niners giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I think it's best that we find another team."

Moore (abdomen) was not activated off injured reserve on Saturday and has been ruled out for Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles on Sunday, per the NFL's transaction report.

Moore was able to practice in a limited fashion this week, but he was unable to progress enough in his recovery from an abdominal injury to be activated off IR. Moore will finish the 2024 campaign having played just six regular-season games without recording a catch.