NFL Player News

Waller (hip) is not present for the early portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Waller didn't practice Wednesday, but coach Mike McDaniel said the veteran tight end was expected to be at least a limited participant Thursday. He could still take the field for drills, but if Waller is officially listed as a non-participant on Thursday's injury report it could be an indication he's suffered some sort of setback. Julian Hill and Tanner Conner are Miami's only available backups at tight end heading into Sunday's road matchup against the Colts.

Vaki (hamstring) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network reports.

Vaki failed to practice for a second straight day. He'll likely need to practice in some capacity Friday to have a chance to suit up for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Packers. Even if Vaki recovers, his usage is expected to be limited primarily to special teams.

The Bills placed Carter (Achilles) on injured reserve Thursday.

Carter will miss the entire 2025 season due to a torn Achilles suffered in late August. The 2024 third-round pick's focus will now fully turn to his rehab, with the goal of making a recovery in time for the beginning of training camp next season.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn announced Thursday that Vera-Tucker will miss the entire 2025 season due to a torn triceps.

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, Vera-Tucker will undergo surgery early next week under the supervision of renowned arm specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Vera-Tucker is expected to face a seven-month rehab, which should put him on track to be ready for the start of the offseason program next spring. Glenn didn't go into specifics about how the Jets plan to replace Vera-Tucker, but Joe Tippmann -- who won the starting center job coming out of the preseason -- could shift over to Vera-Tucker's spot at right guard. In that scenario, free-agent pickup Josh Myers would start at center for the Jets.

Lucas and the Seahawks agreed Thursday on a three-year, $46 million contract extension, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

A 2022 third-round draft pick, Lucas had been scheduled for free agency this spring, but the extension will keep him on the Seahawks' books through 2028. Lucas emerged as the Seahawks' top right tackle coming out of his first training camp and started in 16 games as a rookie, but he was limited to just 13 appearances between 2023 and 2024, primarily due to a pair of knee surgeries. He missed the Seahawks' Week 18 win over the Rams last season due to an abdominal injury, but he enjoyed a normal offseason and looks to be back to full health entering the 2025 campaign.

Thomas (foot) agreed to terms Thursday on a restructured contract with the Giants that frees up roughly $12.2 million in cap space for the team, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports.

The transaction puts New York roughly $2.6 million under the league cap, giving the team some breathing room financially as Sunday's season opener in Washington approaches. Thomas, whose 2024 season came to an early end due to foot surgery, required a follow-up procedure in April to remove a screw. He was activated off the PUP list shortly before the end of the preseason and was listed as a limited participant in practice Wednesday, which marked his first 11-on-11 action of 2025, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports. The starting left tackle is working to attain clearance in time for the Week 1 matchup.

Bonitto agreed to terms Thursday on a four-year, $106 million contract extension with the Broncos, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Bonitto's deal makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in franchise history and reportedly includes $70 million guaranteed. It's a massive investment in the 2022 second-round pick, who compiled totaled 48 tackles, 13.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception in 2024 en route to earning his first Pro Bowl nod. He should be viewed as a high-end IDP option at linebacker heading into his fourth NFL season.

Vera-Tucker is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery on his torn triceps in coming days, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Vera-Tucker suffered the triceps injury during practice Tuesday, and after receiving a second opinion, he determined that surgery was the best course for treatment. The 2021 first-round pick will now have missed significant time in three of his first five years in the NFL; he previously suffered a season-ending triceps tear to his opposite arm in 2022, and he missed 12 games in 2023 due to a torn Achilles. Joe Tippmann had been penciled in to start at center this season, but he could slide over to Vera-Tucker's spot at right guard for Sunday's opener versus the Steelers, which would clear the way for Josh Myers to fill in at center.

Vera-Tucker is believed to have suffered a torn triceps injury that will result in his indefinite placement on IR, and likely prove season-ending, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The starting right guard suffered the injury during a one-one-one drill at practice. Vera-Tucker also previously suffered a torn right triceps in 2022, as well as a torn Achilles in 2023, but he started 15 regular-season games last year in what was a career-best campaign. His loss is now a significant blow for the Jets. Backup guard Xavier Newman could bump into the starting lineup as a result, but New York could also opt to move one of Joe Tippmann or Josh Myers from center over to right guard for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Nailor (hand) returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since Aug. 14, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

It's not clear how much Nailor was able to do in practice, but this is a positive sign for his chances to play in Week 1. More should be known on his status when the Vikings start releasing official practice reports Thursday ahead of Monday's game at Chicago. Nailor could take on an increased role early in the campaign with Jordan Addison set to miss the first three weeks while suspended, but the acquisition of Adam Thielen may limit his upside,