NFL Player News

The Patriots released Peppers on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Peppers originally made the Patriots' 53-man roster and was expected to be a part of the team's safety rotation alongside Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie fourth-rounder Craig Woodson. However, the Patriots have elected to move on from the veteran safety, who should draw plenty of interest from teams looking to bolster depth in the secondary. Peppers played in 38 regular-season games (26 starts) for the Patriots over the past three years, posting 178 tackles (107 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and three interceptions in that span.

The Jaguars cut Singer from the practice squad Friday.

Singer's removal makes room on the Jags' practice squad roster for Austin Trammell, and the former will look to catch on with a team in need of depth at wideout. Singer finished the preseason with seven catches (on eight targets) for 59 yards across three preseason games.

Culp is in line to see increased target opportunities if No. 1 tight end Cade Otton (leg) is sidelined to open the regular season, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Head coach Todd Bowles previously remarked that Otton is expected "to be out a little bit," without further details. However, more information on a projected return timeline is expected during Week 1 practices next week, and Dix notes the Buccaneers will take a "committee approach" at tight end for any games Otton might be sidelined for. Considering No. 3 tight Ko Kieft has all of one reception since the beginning of the 2023 season, such a scenario would leave Culp and Payne Durham as the only legitimate pass-catching options at the position to open the season. That was the case during Weeks 16-18 last season when Otton sat out with a knee injury, a span in which Culp flashed some downfield chops while recording a 5-88-0 line on six targets. The second-year pro also generated three first downs on his five preseason receptions this summer, including on a 22-yard grab in the exhibition finale against the Bills on Saturday night.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Friday that Royals (knee) is not expected to suit up against the Chargers in Week 1, Jesse Newell of The Athletic reports.

Royals missed Kansas City's preseason finale due to knee tendinitis and looks set to also sit out the team's regular-season opener, but as the Chiefs didn't place him on IR while cutting down to a 53-man roster, it seems the rookie fourth-round pick is expected to miss less than four games before returning to action. With Rashee Rice (suspension) out the first six weeks of the season, Royals will have an opportunity to push for snaps behind Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown (ankle) and JuJu Smith-Schuster once healthy.

Durham could see more pass-catching opportunities than usual to open the 2025 season due to Cade Otton potentially being sidelined with a leg injury, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.

While more clarity on a potential return timeline for Otton is expected during the official Week 1 practice week, Dix reports the Buccaneers are planning on taking a committee approach at the position if he is indeed forced to miss any regular-season action. That would afford Durham more targets, a scenario that also played out in Weeks 16-18 last season when Otton was sidelined due to a knee injury. Durham secured nine receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets in that span while sharing pass-catching responsibilities at the position with then-rookie Devin Culp, and that arrangement could well be replicated in the event of any Otton absences early this season.

White, who suffered a lower-leg injury during last Thursday's practice, has yet to return to the practice field and his status remains unknown for the Bills' season opener against the Ravens, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

White has not practiced this week. Said general manager Brandon Beane on Thursday: "Tre's got a great attitude, he's attacking it. Really other than that, we're just going to take it day by day...Wednesday, I think, is the first day an injury report will be due, so we'll see what it is, whether he can practice any or not."This takes on added import for the Bills, as the player White was supposed to back up and mentor, first-round rookie Maxwell Hairston, is on IR-R with a knee injury and will miss at least the first four weeks of the season.

Surratt signed with the Seahawks on Thursday.

Surratt spent the last three years with the Jets but signed with the 49ers this offseason. He wasn't able to make the final roster in San Francisco, though he'll now land his next opportunity in Seattle. Surratt should contribute primarily on special teams.

The Bears released Wade (undisclosed) from injured reserve Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Wade had been placed on season-ending IR due to an undisclosed injury Aug. 12, but he'll now be able to sign with another team and play this year once he gets healthy. The 26-year-old cornerback hasn't logged a snap in an NFL regular-season contest since 2023, when he played in 14 contests with the Patriots, recording 23 tackles and one defensed pass.

Penning (toe) is no longer in a walking boot and could be available for the Saints' Week 1 contest against the Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 7, Matthew Paras of NOLA.com reports.

Penning was carted off the field during the Saints' preseason opener against the Chargers due to a toe injury. The 2022 first-rounder is progressing well in his recovery, though head coach Kellen Moore was noncommittal about whether Penning would be available for the Saints' regular-season opener. If Penning is not cleared to play Week 1, Dillon Radunz would be the top candidate to start at left guard.

The Bears placed Booker (knee) on injured reserve Thursday.

Booker will be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. Selected in the fifth round of the 2024 Draft, Booker appeared in all 17 regular-season games as a rookie last season, logging 21 tackles (14 solo), including 1.5 sacks.