NFL Player News

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Rice (knee) is doing well in his recovery from October surgery to repair the LCL in his right knee, which Reid called "a good sign for next year," Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Rice remains on injured reserve and isn't a candidate to contribute for Kansas City's matchup against the Eagles in the Super Bowl on Sunday, but he is now nearing the end of the estimated four-month recovery timeframe for the knee procedure, which also addressed a tear of his hamstring tendon. As such, the 2023 third-round pick seemingly remains on track to kick off the 2025 campaign at full health. Rice operated as Patrick Mahomes' clear top target in the first four games of the season, and if health isn't a factor, he could settle back in atop the depth chart in 2025. He will, however, still be a candidate for a future suspension related to his involvement in a hit-and-run car crash that occurred in Dallas last March, and for which Rice received criminal charges.

The Bengals signed Tinsley to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Tinsley spent his first two years in the league with Washington, but now he'll have a chance to make a positive impression on a new coaching staff in Cincinnati. He has just three regular-season offensive snaps under his belt going into 2025.

The Panthers signed Tremayne to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Tremayne has spent most of the past two seasons on Washington's practice squad, but he's now getting a fresh start in Carolina. He played a total of 19 offensive snaps over two appearances with the Commanders in 2024, catching his only target for a loss of two yards.

Kupp announced Monday evening that the Rams informed him they will be looking to trade him in the immediate future.

"I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships," Kupp wrote Monday. "I don't agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA." He said after the Rams' divisional-round loss to the Eagles that he planned to continue his playing career, but it always felt like it was headed this direction, with the Rams and Kupp parting ways. Kupp turns 32 years old in June and is coming off an extremely slow finish to the 2024 season, one in which he was clearly overtaken as the Rams' WR1 by Puka Nacua. Kupp has two years left on his current contract, one that is set to pay him $12.5 million and $14.85 million salaries the next two seasons. It may be a difficult contract to move, but the acquiring team would likely look to restructure Kupp's deal. The Rams may envision Jordan Whittington as Kupp's much cheaper replacement out of the slot.

The Bears signed Alexander to a reserve/future contract Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Alexander has spent the past three seasons in Detroit with new Bears coach Ben Johnson. Alexander hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2022 but has been mastering the offense on the practice squad. He'll compete for a depth job in Chicago this offseason.

Covey (neck) is listed as questionable for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9 against the Chiefs.

Covey was limited in practice all week and remains on injured reserve. The return man and depth receiver hasn't played since Week 13 and has seen action on just 50 offensive snaps all season. Covey will have another week of practice to get ready for the Super Bowl.

Smith (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9 against the Chiefs.

After the first week of preparation for the upcoming Super Bowl, Smith hasn't participated in any drills due to a hamstring injury, but the issue currently won't be a hindrance more than a week out from the big game. Nonetheless, he may endure practice restrictions next week once the Eagles arrive in New Orleans, so his status bears watching over the next nine days.

Moore (abdomen) was limited in Friday's practice and is officially listed as doubtful for Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles on Feb. 9.

Moore has logged two limited practice sessions since being designated for return from IR, but he's trending in the wrong direction to be able to contribute versus Philadelphia in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs will host one more week of practices prior to deciding Moore's status, so it's possible he could still be activated to the 53-man roster if he can impress in his remaining opportunities.

Smith caught two passes for six yards, rushed twice for 30 yards and logged 155 yards as a kick returner and 178 yards as a punt returner during the 2024 regular season.

After spending all of 2023 on the practice squad, the Rams brought Smith on to serve as a return specialist, and he accrued a total of 333 yards in the role. Smith is under contract with the Rams for one more season, and with Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Tyler Johnson all unrestricted free agents, a more expanded role may be in the cards for Smith in 2025.

Johnson caught 26 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown during the 2024 regular season.

Given the Rams' injury woes for much of the season, Johnson's second season with the team bore more fruit, as he was on the field for 345 snaps on offense and held his own when pressed into significant action, including a 5-79-0 line in the Week 1 opener against the Lions. The Rams have a lot of questions in the offseason at wide receiver, with Cooper Kupp a candidate for trade or release and Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Johnson all unrestricted free agents, but Johnson's budding role may entice the Rams to give him another shot to work alongside Puka Nacua, Jordan Whittington and Xavier Smith.