NFL Player News

Bowers will open the 2026 season working with Kirk Cousins as his quarterback after the veteran was named the Week 1 starter Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

The star tight end is looking to return to the caliber of production he managed during an outstanding 2024 rookie campaign, when he recorded a 112-1,194-5 line across 17 regular-season games. Bowers endured a lingering knee injury last season that ultimately limited him to 12 games, but the combination of his return to full health and a savvy veteran familiar with head coach Klint Kubiak's system in Cousins sets the stage for a potentially productive start to the 2026 season.

Darnold did not participate in any of the Seahawks' three preseason games.

Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, AJ Barner and other Seahawks offensive starters observed all three preseason games from the sidelines, with the team seemingly not wanting to risk injury to its top contributors ahead of Week 1 against the Patriots. Darnold's pass catchers are mostly the same as those he threw to during last year's Super Bowl run, though the veteran signal caller is working under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury after Klint Kubiak accepted the Raiders' head coach position. Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker also bolted to Kansas City in free agency, and with Zach Charbonnet (knee) opening the season on the reserve/PUP list, Darnold's top options out of the backfield are rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price and George Holani. Darnold finished the 2025 regular season fifth and seventh in passing yards (4,048) and completion percentage (67.7), respectively, though his 14 interceptions were third-most behind Geno Smith (17) and Tua Tagovailoa (15).

The Lions waived Small on Wednesday.

Small suffered a concussion during the Lions' preseason loss to the Commanders on Aug. 22. The running back was waived without an injury designation or settlement, meaning he has fully recovered from the injury. If Small clears waivers, he will become a free agent able to sign with any organization.

Barkley didn't see any action during the Eagles' three-game preseason slate.

At this point in his standout career, Barkley doesn't require exhibition reps to be his usual self once the games begin to count, so it's understandable that coach Nick Sirianni opted to rest Philadelphia's No. 1 RB and other key starters. After reeling off 2,005 rushing yards in 2024 and winning a Super Bowl, Barkley took a step back last season, but he still notched 1,413 yards from scrimmage and nine total TDs on 317 touches in 16 regular-season games. Sirianni has passed off play-calling duties to new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, so it remains to be seen how effective Barkley will be in the new scheme.

The Saints signed Welch to the practice squad Wednesday.

Welch made the Saints' initial 53-man roster Sunday but was waived on Monday to make room for additions off waivers. The tight end cleared waivers himself before returning to the team on the practice squad. The tight end was elevated from the practice squad for two games last year and signed with the 53-man roster for a third in early January. Welch played 37 total snaps over the contests and will likely play a similar role for the Saints in 2026.

The Saints signed Austin to the practice squad Wednesday.

The Saints waived Austin on Monday. The wide receiver made the team's initial 53-man roster before being cut to make additional room for players claimed off waivers. The wide receiver has played in eight games for the Saints each of the last two seasons and will likely see two to three contests in 2026 via practice squad elevation to the 53-man roster.

Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that Stidham will be the Broncos' backup quarterback to begin the 2026 season, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Sam Ehlinger pushed Stidham during training camp for his spot on Denver's depth chart behind starter Bo Nix, and the team opted to keep three quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster, but at least for now, Stidham is second in the pecking order. Unless Nix gets hurt at some point, neither Stidham nor Ehlinger would be expected to get any snaps in a reasonably close game.

Juszczyk (finger) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Juszczyk continues to manage the finger injury he sustained in early August. The full return to practice after Tuesday's missed session likely means the team allowed the fullback some sort of vet rest, and he did not miss Tuesday for any worsening injury.

McBride is listed as the Cardinals' No. 1 TE on the team's unofficial depth chart.

McBride emerged as a target hog in 2024, racking up 147 in 16 regular-season games en route to 111 catches and 1,146 yards but just two touchdowns. The end-zone woes finally came to a close last season, though, as he finished with a monster 126-1,239-11 line on 169 targets in 17 regular-season contests. The catch count set an NFL record for most by a tight end in a campaign, surpassing Zach Ertz's 116 from his 2018 season with the Eagles. McBride remains the top pass catcher for QB Jacoby Brissett and Arizona's offense, but he does have competition for looks from WRs Marvin Harrison and Michael Wilson.

Davis (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Davis continues to recover from a knee injury that he sustained in a training camp practice in early August. He's been limited to side work and has yet to be cleared for team drills, and his practice participation next week will provide a better sense of whether he'll be available for the Jets' regular-season opener against the Titans on Sunday, Sept. 13. Breece Hall (groin) is also nursing an injury, leaving Braelon Allen and Kene Nwangwu as the two healthy running backs on the Jets' 53-man roster.