NFL Player News

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Thursday that Aiyuk (knee) has been "doing a tremendous job coming back," Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Aiyuk isn't expected to be ready to participate in training camp in late July as he continues to work his way back from from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, but the wideout has made a positive impression with his recovery. Lynch commented that Aiyuk has been "putting in the work" and stated that "it's kind of incredible how well he's healing." It's not year clear when Aiyuk will be ready for game action, and he probably won't be active when the 49ers open the 2025 season Sept. 7 against Seattle. However, he's on track to lead the team's wideout corps when he does return following the offseason departure of Deebo Samuel to Washington.

Hairston (hamstring) signed his rookie contract Friday.

The Bills have big plans for the speedy rookie, as he's lined up for a starting cornerback role right out of the gate after being selected 30th overall in April, assuming the pulled hamstring he suffered this week during minicamp is nothing major. Hairston's Kentucky teammate Deone Walker also signed his rookie deal Friday.

Richardson (shoulder) won't need surgery and should be healthy for the start of Colts training camp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Richardson did not participate in Indianapolis' minicamp that ended Thursday due to an AC joint injury to his right shoulder, and he sought a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who previously performed surgery to address the issue. The results of that second opinion appear to indicate that the 23-year-old quarterback does not need surgery and should be ready for training camp in late July. That's a major boost to Richardson's chances of opening the 2025 season as the Colts' starting QB, as newcomer Daniel Jones has ample starting experience and worked with the first-team offense while Richardson was unavailable during minicamp.

The Saints signed Akers to a contract Friday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

In his fifth NFL campaign in 2024, Akers split time between the Texans and Vikings, recording 104 carries for 444 yards (4.3 YPC) and two touchdowns and 14 catches (on 18 targets) for 68 yards and three more TDs. He entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and went without much interest until New Orleans' mandatory minicamp this week, when he worked out for the team. Akers showed enough to earn another opportunity, but he joins a crowded backfield behind No. 1 option Alvin Kamara along with Kendre Miller and rookie sixth-rounder Devin Neal.

Coleman was up-and-down during mandatory minicamp, showing some quality routes and a connection with Josh Allen during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, but he also struggled with occasional drops and mental mistakes, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Coleman's biggest mistake of minicamp came Wednesday, when he deflected a ball that was well out of his reach just enough to result in an incompletion to Khalil Shakir, Allen's intended target. As a rookie, Coleman was also inconsistent, finishing with 29 catches for 556 yards and four touchdowns (on 57 targets) across 13 regular-season appearances while mostly being cast as a deep threat. Buffalo was encouraged enough by Coleman in Year 1 that the team didn't make it a priority to add to the pass-catching group this offseason, though the team did ink another field-stretcher in Joshua Palmer. As Buscaglia notes, Coleman still has tremendous opportunity before him, and his development will likely be the primary deciding factor in how strongly the Bills pursue additional pass catchers during the 2026 offseason.

Dart has typically been the second quarterback to mix in for the Giants at OTAs, behind Russell Wilson and ahead of Jameis Winston, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Wilson is the clear starter, having taken all but a few first-team reps thus far, while Dart and Winston have been splitting second-team opportunities. Dart has shown impressive touch on his throws, but the rookie 25th overall pick is likely to begin his career in a backup role. The Giants could turn to Dart if they fall out of contention or Wilson struggles, and the team's difficult early schedule raises the likelihood of those scenarios.

Jackson is dealing with blood clots that are putting his availability for the 2025 season in question, though the belief is that he'll play this season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jackson previously had similar issues with blood clots in 2022 but managed to continue his NFL career, making 35 starts since the start of that campaign. His strong play earned the left tackle a three-year, $57 million extension in February. The Rams signed D.J. Humphries on Thursday to provide some insurance in case Jackson misses time in 2025 due to this issue resurfacing.

Metcalf said at mandatory minicamp that while establishing a rapport with new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the veteran signal-caller's "playmaking ability after a play breaks down" and "how quickly he releases the ball" have both stood out, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Since being dealt to Pittsburgh and signing a five-year, $150 million deal with his new team, Metcalf's outlook has improved significantly. The Steelers' signing of Rodgers to a one-year deal provides Metcalf with short-term stability at quarterback plus a signal-caller with the necessary timing to complement the strengths of his route tree. Moreover, the decision to trade George Pickens to Dallas leaves Metcalf entrenched as the unquestioned top target in the Steelers' passing game, with all of Robert Woods, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson and TE Pat Freiermuth as ancillary options. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith also indicated that his usual run-heavy tendencies could shift in 2025, saying "we didn't bring [Rodgers] in here and sign [Metcalf] for all that money to go run the wishbone," and that "you try to play to the strengths of your team."

Reynolds showcased impressive chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields at mandatory minicamp and is the early favorite to secure the No. 2 receiver role behind Garrett Wilson, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Reynolds' early rapport with Fields and willingness to contribute as a blocker in the run game have made a good impression on head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, currently giving him an advantage over Allen Lazard for the top receiver gig behind Wilson. Of course, Glenn and Engstrand seem likely to import something similar to the run-heavy approach deployed during their time together in Detroit, which would be suited to Fields' skill set. That may leave few targets left up for grabs for wideouts other than Wilson, especially with Breece Hall's presence as a capable pass catcher out of the backfield and the addition of rookie second-round TE Mason Taylor. In deeper fantasy formats, locking up the No. 2 role will at least give Reynolds a realistic path to having spike weeks in 2025.

Etienne said Thursday at mandatory minicamp that new head coach Liam Coen's offense "has been getting me in a lot of space" and "always puts us in position to make plays," Garry Smits of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Etienne expressed optimism the Jaguars' decision to draft guard Wyatt Milum in the third round of April's draft and sign five offensive linemen in free agency will lead to improvement up front, saying that across his Jacksonville career "we've been ranked 31, 32 in run blocking," but Coen and new general manager James Gladstone have demonstrated that they're "committed to the process and they know what it takes." Coen also dismissed trade rumors surrounding Etienne, saying that the 2021 first-round pick will be a key piece on offense and possesses all the elements necessary to succeed in the run game. Lastly, Etienne said Coen's scheme will have him running up the middle or off-tackle less -- situations he struggled in during the 2024 season -- and that "just not be[ing] predictable is going to help us a lot." Etienne's burst and vision indeed make him a good fit for Coen's scheme, but he faces plenty of competition from Tank Bigsby, plus fourth- and seventh-round rookies Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen.