NFL Player News

Banks issued a letter to all 32 NFL teams Wednesday noting that he's on track to be cleared for full football activities in early June after undergoing surgery March 9 to address a fractured fourth metatarsal of his left foot, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Banks informed teams about where he stands in his recovery from the procedure after he underwent a CT scan Tuesday. He appeared to bolster his standing ahead of the draft with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl in January, but Banks' stock may be trending down after he suffered the broken bone during the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Though the 6-foot-6, 327-pound Banks was often dominant in the trenches during his collegiate career, health is a valid concern for the Florida defensive tackle after he was limited to just three games in 2025 due to an injury to the same foot.

Loveland (concussion) said he "feel(s) very good" and is embracing a larger role heading into his second NFL season, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.

Loveland's role expanded significantly down the stretch in his rookie season, as the 2025 first-round pick caught 28 of 48 targets for 378 yards and two touchdowns over Chicago's last four games, two of which came in the playoffs. He suffered a concussion late in the Bears' NFC divisional-round loss to the Rams, but Loveland's comments indicate he has recovered from that injury and is ready to build on his momentum from last season in a Bears offense that traded away wide receiver DJ Moore earlier this offseason. Moore finished second on the team in receiving yards behind Loveland during the 2025 regular season.

The Ravens exercised Flowers' $27.3 million team option for the 2027 season Thursday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Picking up Flowers' fifth-year option was viewed as a formality for the Ravens, after the 25-year-old led Baltimore in receptions and receiving yards in each of his three seasons since entering the NFL as a first-round selection out of Boston College in 2023. Though Flowers will be on the books for the next two seasons, the Ravens are expected to initiate talks with the wideout on a contract extension over the next few months. Flowers will be locked in as Baltimore's clear top target heading into the upcoming campaign and could have a chance at building on the career-best 86-1,211-5 receiving line he produced in 2025 after the Ravens let Isaiah Likely walk in free agency and have thus far not brought in any major reinforcements at receiver or tight end.

General manager Chris Ballard said Monday that Wohler is at the end of his rehab for the foot injury he suffered during preseason last year, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.

Wohler's rookie year was cut short by a season-ending foot injury he sustained during the second week of the preseason, but the hope is that he won't have any limitations when Indianapolis kicks off training camp in July. After the Colts lost starting safety Nick Cross to the Commanders in free agency, they neglected to bring in any big name as a replacement, meaning there could be room for Wohler to earn a spot on the 53-man roster this summer.

General manager Chris Ballard said Monday that Walley is at the end of his rehab for the ACL tear he suffered in August of 2025, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.

Walley was unable to play at all last year after tearing his ACL during training camp, but there's optimism he'll be back to full strength when training camp begins in 2026. With veteran starting corner Kenny Moore seeking a trade away from Indianapolis, the team could be in more need of Walley's services when the new season starts than it thought it would be.

The Colts are targeting a return to football activities during training camp in July for Buckner (neck), JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.

Following a one-game return in Week 16 versus the 49ers, Buckner underwent surgery to address a neck injury he sustained in Week 9 at Pittsburgh last season. Per general manager Chris Ballard, Buckner is now in a good spot, and there's hope he'll be able to practice when training camp starts up in Indianapolis this summer. If available, he projects to play a major role on the interior of the Colts' defensive line in 2026.

General manager Chris Ballard said Monday that Shrader (knee) will kick with the team during training camp in July, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.

Shrader tore the ACL in his plant leg when he was run into on an extra-point attempt in Week 5 of the 2025 season versus the Raiders, but he appears to be progressing well in his recovery. Per Ballard, he recently made a 54-yard field goal during a workout. He performed well as Indianapolis' starting kicker last year before suffering the season-ending injury, making 13 of his 14 field-goal attempts and all 14 of his extra-point tries over five games, but Blake Grupe, who signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Colts in March, will be tough competition for the club's starting kicker job this summer.

The Cowboys aren't sure if Pickens will participate in the offseason program after they ended negotiations on a long-term contract, but the team is optimistic he'll sign his franchise tag before Week 1, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Pickens likely was hoping for a multi-year deal with a signing bonus larger than his $27.3 million franchise tag. The Cowboys are hoping he'll respond to their direct approach, having informed agent David Mulugheta last week that they don't want to discuss a long-term contract and hope Pickens will play under his tag. For now, Pickens isn't technically under contract and thus can't be fined for missing practices or meetings. If he were to remain unsigned at the start of the regular season, he'd then miss out on $1.52 million each week until he signs and reports to the team. In the meantime, trade rumors are sure to swirl, especially given that this announcement comes on the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft. Pickens would have to sign his franchise tag to facilitate a trade, with any team acquiring him then having until July 15 to hammer out a long-term contract. That said, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones gave the impression that he expects Pickens to eventually sign his tag and play for the team in 2026.

Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said Wednesday that Pickens will play out 2026 under the franchise tag, with no negotiations toward a long-term deal, Jonathan Jones of CBSSports.com reports.

It's unusual for a team to make this kind of announcement, especially with nearly three months remaining before the July 15 deadline for franchise-tagged players to negotiate contracts. Pickens hasn't signed his tag and thus can't be fined for missing team activities. The tag is worth $27.3 million, which means he'll miss out on around $1.52 million per week if he declines to sign before the start of the regular season. Pickens hasn't made public comments on the situation, but it's probably safe to say he isn't thrilled.

Judkins (ankle) was spotted in uniform and rehabbing at the start of Cleveland's voluntary minicamp Tuesday, Dylan Feltovich of USA Today reports.

Judkins' exact participation level is difficult to determine, with Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland reporting that the 2025 second-round pick participated in on-field activities in some capacity, while Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports that he monitored practice from a side field. In any case, Judkins' activity level during spring figures to be largely limited to rehab work as he recovers from surgery undergone in late December to address a dislocated right ankle. Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, Judkins projects as the leader of a backfield that also houses Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders and Ahmani Marshall, all of whom are second-year pros.