NFL Player News

Jefferson (hamstring) was working with team trainers on the side at the start of Friday's practice, Emily Leiker of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Jefferson has been sidelined since last Friday, when he initially was reported to be dealing with a mild left hamstring strain. Coach Kevin O'Connell told Emily Leiker of The Minneapolis Star Tribune on Tuesday that Jefferson's rehab was "going really well. Already progressing." Now that Jefferson appears to be ramping up his activity level further, a return to practice itself could occur in the not-too-distant future.

Boutte still took some snaps with the starters during Thursday's walk-through practice, but he lost some first-team reps to Mack Hollins, who's back from the PUP list, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

In Hollins' absence, it was mostly Boutte who had been working with the first unit alongside Stefon Diggs, with DeMario Douglas in the slot. Now that Hollins is back in the mix, Boutte will continue to compete for slotting in a crowded WR corps that also includes Kyle Williams, Kendrick Bourne and Ja'Lynn Polk. While Boutte no doubt has an opportunity to secure a role in the Patriots' passing offense this season, the addition of Diggs (if healthy) in particular clouds Boutte's path to steady volume in 2025, after he was third on the team with 68 targets last season.

In his first practice since being activated from the PUP list, Hollins worked with the starters during Thursday's walk-through session, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

Reiss notes that on Hollins' first snap Thursday, he lined up opposite Stefon Diggs, with DeMario Douglas in the slot. In his absence, it had been mostly Kayshon Boutte (who also saw some some work with the starters Thursday) working alongside Diggs and Douglas, but now that he's back in the mix, Hollins will look to secure the No. 3 role in a crowded Patriots WR corps that also includes Kyle Williams, Kendrick Bourne and Ja'Lynn Polk.

Pittman (groin) participated in Thursday night's practice, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Pittman sustained a groin injury during Tuesday's session, but after an off day Wednesday, he was back on the field Thursday logging reps with the first-team offense. While Pittman's standing as a key member of a wideout corps that also returns Alec Pierce and Josh Downs remains secure, who will be throwing to that trio in Week 1 has yet to be determined, with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones in the midst of what is being described as a close competition for the assignment.

Hyatt said Friday that he currently weighs 189-190 pounds, after playing last season at around 172, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Bulk and strength have been major concerns dating back to the pre-draft process in 2023 when Hyatt checked in at 6-foot, 176 pounds. He apparently played his second NFL season at an even lighter weight, catching just eight passes across 346 snaps in 16 games. He hopes the extra pounds will help him with blocking and contested catches, but the 2023 third-round pick may nonetheless find himself on the roster bubble this summer.

Wicks (calf) participated in the early portion of Friday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

It was previously thought that Wicks and Jayden Reed (toe) would sit out the session, but both wideouts ended up practicing. As the coming campaign approaches, Wicks is competing for targets in a crowded Green Bay WR corps that also includes Reed, Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs and Savion Williams.

Williams has had an up and down training camp thus far, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

Graff notes that while Williams has been part of some of the biggest plays in camp, including a 40-yard TD from QB Drake Maye on a go route earlier this week, the wideout has also logged more drops than any other Patriots receiver. Nevertheless, if the 2025 third-rounder can curb the drops as the summer continues, Graff believes that Williams could push for the team's No. 3 WR role. However, for now he's competing with Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and Ja'Lynn Polk for slotting behind Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas.

Reed (toe) is participating in full-team drills Friday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

It sounds like there was a miscommunication, as Reed made a spectacular catch in 11-on-11s just minutes after he was announced as a non-participant. In any case, this confirms that the toe injury he suffered Thursday is nothing serious.

Coach Andy Reid revealed Friday that Worthy, who had been in the NFL's concussion protocol, actually didn't sustain a concussion upon further evaluation Thursday, Nate Taylor of ESPN.com reports.

Worthy had exited Tuesday's practice after banging his head, but after it was determined that he was not concussed, the wideout was able to return to practice Friday. Meanwhile, fellow WRs Hollywood Brown (ankle) and Skyy Moore (hamstring) remain sidelined, per Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site.

Wicks (calf) isn't practicing Friday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Wicks returned Thursday from a brief absence to log partial participation in practice. He sat out full-team drills, however, and is now missing practice entirely again. It's unclear if this is indicative of a setback or just part of Green Bay's plan to avoid aggravating Wicks' calf injury. In any case, it sounds like rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden is well on his way to locking up a top-three role alongside Jayden Reed (toe) and Romeo Doubs.