NFL Player News

Odum (knee) was released by the 49ers with a non-football injury designation Saturday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The move comes a day after the safety and special teamer was placed on the active/non-football injury list. Odum also ended the 2024 campaign on injured reserve with a knee issue. The veteran played primarily on special teams over the last three seasons with San Francisco, and he will now have to look for another opportunity.

Wheeler (undisclosed) was moved to the active/non-football injury list by the Bears on Saturday.

Once Wheeler is ready to return to practice, he can come off the active/NFI list at any time throughout training camp and the preseason. The running back missed his rookie season last year with a knee injury but returned in time for June OTAs. If he can come back for training camp, he should have a chance to compete for a depth role in a backfield led by D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson.

Walker (undisclosed) was placed on the active/non-football injury list by the Bears on Saturday.

Once Walker is ready to resume practicing, he can return from the active/NFI list at any time during training camp and the preseason. The wide receiver signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in April after catching 29 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns in his final season at Texas A&M. He likely faces an uphill climb to make the Bears' roster.

Keenum (undisclosed) was placed on the active/non-football injury list by the Bears on Saturday.

Once he's ready to start practicing again, the quarterback can return from the active/NFI list at any time during training camp and the preseason. Keenum signed a one-year deal with the Bears in April after missing the 2024 season with a foot injury. The veteran, who has made 66 career regular-season starts and two playoff starts, might be able to compete with Tyson Bagent for the backup job to Caleb Williams.

Johnson (undisclosed) was placed on the active/non-football injury list by the Bears on Saturday.

Once he's ready to resume practice, Johnson can return from the active/NFI list at any time throughout training camp and the preseason. The cornerback suffered a quadriceps injury in Chicago's regular-season finale against Green Bay but returned in time to participate in OTAs in June, so this appears to be another issue. The 2023 All-Pro signed a four-year, $76-million extension with the Bears in March of 2024 and has started all 70 games he's played in during his five-year career.

The Jaguars placed Gardeck (knee) on the active/PUP list Saturday.

Gardeck tore his ACL in Week 7 of last season and is still rehabbing the injury. The veteran linebacker signed with the Jaguars in early June, but it's not clear when he'll be ready to suit up. That said, he can be activated at any point during the preseason, at which point he'll be eligible to begin practicing.

Shough agreed to terms on his four-year rookie contract with the Saints on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Shough gets his entire $10.8 million rookie contract guaranteed as well as an annual roster bonus payment structure, which no other rookie selected outside the first round has. The No. 40 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Shough enters training camp primed for a three-way competition between himself, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener (oblique) for the Week 1 starting job, an opportunity opened up by the offseason retirement of Derek Carr (shoulder). While Shough boasts the least NFL experience of the trio, he will turn 26 in September, so if he manages to impress in training camp there will be little incentive to keep him sidelined for any sort of developmental period.

Ferguson is ready to sign his rookie deal with Los Angeles after having agreed to terms with the team on his four-year contract Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ferguson had been among the second-round picks of the 2025 Draft class holding out for more guaranteed money in their rookie contracts, and Schefter now reports that he gets roughly $8 million of his four-year, $9.7 million deal guaranteed. Ferguson's draft capital and pass-catching chops promise real upside in the Rams' offense, surpassing 32-year-old incumbent starter Tyler Higbee. However, Higbee is healthy after missing most of 2024 due to injury, and he will provide a notable challenge for the rookie. Higbee is slated to hit free agency next offseason, however.

Knight agreed to terms Saturday on his four-year rookie contract with the Bengals, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.

Knight, whom Cincinnati selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 49th overall, gets roughly 80 percent of his rookie deal guaranteed at signing just in time to join the rest of the team's rookies and report for training camp Saturday. After drafting Knight, the Bengals saw fit to release Germaine Pratt (now with the Raiders), which paves a clear path for the 6-foot-2, 235-pound rookie linebacker to compete for an immediate starting role alongside Logan Wilson.

Monangai is a longshot for touches but could climb the Bears' depth chart Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.

After being drafted in the seventh round, the rookie enters a crowded backfield behind D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. Monangai will likely begin as the RB3 or RB4 but brings a productive college resume, including consecutive 1,200-yard seasons at Rutgers. Unless injuries occur, Monangai may be limited to special teams and spot work early in the year.