NFL Player News

Williams and the Rams agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year, $33 million contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Williams had been heading into the final year of his rookie contract, but the 2022 fifth-round pick is now locked in through 2028, with $23 million of the deal guaranteed. Coming off back-to-back campaigns with more than 1,000 rushing yards, Williams remains atop the backfield depth chart and has proven to be a tremendous fit for coach Sean McVay's offense, with that workhorse role translating into 31 total touchdowns across the last two years. With his contract situation resolved, Williams is one of the safest RB options available in the early rounds of fantasy drafts, due to his chances of leading the league in carries.

Hobbs underwent surgery on his knee Saturday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Hobbs' surgery will help repair a partially torn meniscus that was suffered in practice last week. He is expected to miss some of training camp with hopes of returning for the Packers' season opener Sept. 7. The 26-year-old has missed a total of 16 games in four years with Las Vegas. The fifth-year corner signed with Green Bay this offseason to start at cornerback alongside Keisean Nixon.

Johnson and Ray Davis are getting more first-team reps while James Cook (contract) is absent from practices, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.

Cook was an observer at the past couple practices, making it clear to reporters that his lack of activity was due to "business" and not an injury. He's seeking an extension ahead of the final year of his rookie contract, now opting for a "hold in" after fully participating in the first week-plus of training camp. Davis presumably would fill in as the lead runner if Cook were to miss time during the regular season, but Johnson could also see his role grow in that scenario. Johnson got most of his playing time in passing situations last year, finishing the regular season with 59 touches for 497 yards and four TDs on 289 offensive snaps.

Foelsch was waived by the Steelers on Tuesday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Foelsch signed with Pittsburgh last Tuesday, but he was cut to open up space for the signing of Daryl Porter. The 24-year-old Foelsch has bounced around five different teams since going undrafted in 2024 and will once again look for a new home.

Brown (ankle) isn't practicing Tuesday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Brown hasn't practiced since making an early exit last Tuesday. He's unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Cardinals, although coach Andy Reid suggested last week that the wideout's ankle injury isn't too serious. Brown's absence could open up more first-team reps for rookie Jalen Royals, who has made a good impression early in training camp.

Saints coach Kellen Moore said Tuesday that Neal (hamstring) will miss "a few weeks" of practice, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Neal appears destined to at least sit out New Orleans' preseason opener against the Chargers on Sunday, and it sounds as though his status for Aug. 17 versus the Jaguars and Aug. 23 against the Broncos could be in jeopardy as well. The rookie sixth-round pick is competing with Kendre Miller, Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire for backfield opportunities behind Alvin Kamara.

Shough played well during Sunday's scrimmage, but Spencer Rattler took more first-team reps, Ross Jackson of LouisianaSports.net reports.

Both QBs have gotten mixed reviews from beat writers in terms of performance, but the reps seem to be shaking out in Rattler's favor lately, as he led five of seven drives with the first-team offense Sunday and was then under center with the first team at the start of the next practice Tuesday. While Jake Haener has also mixed in with the starters on occasion, coach Kellen Moore's decision ultimately figures to be between Rattler and Shough. Moore recently said he's "close" to deciding on his Week 1 starter.

Rattler worked with the first-team offense again Tuesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

It's the first time this summer that the same Saints QB has started off with the first-string offense in consecutive practices. Rattler also did the honors for Sunday's scrimmage and ended up playing five of the seven first-team drives. He'd already gotten a bit more work with the starters than rookie Tyler Shough during training camp, with the past few days perhaps marking a shift even further in Rattler's direction. Underhill and Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana are calling Rattler a clear favorite to start Week 1, although opinion has been more divided among Saints beat writers when it comes to the quality of the quarterbacks' performances in practice. Saints head coach Kellen Moore recently said he's "close" to making a decision on his Week 1 starter.

Brown (hamstring) is not participating in practice Tuesday, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Brown continues to attend practice as an observer, per Berman, rather than participating in the sort of rehab program that might indicate he was dealing with a serious hamstring injury. All indications are that the Eagles are simply taking a cautious approach to the star wideout's health, with the team's Week 1 matchup against Dallas still roughly one month away.

Ballentine signed with the Packers on Monday

Ballentine was released by Indianapolis on Friday after signing a one-year contract with them in March and now returns to a familiar place. The 29-year-old has played in Green Bay the last three seasons, appearing in 37 games and recording seven pass deflections. With the Packers looking for cornerback depth, Ballentine has a chance to once again play an important role.