NFL Player News

Brown (knee) should be ready to participate in drills during training camp on a limited basis, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Brown said in April that he'd be ready for the start of the regular season, per David Newton of ESPN.com. The defensive end only played in one game in 2024 due to a meniscus issue, but in 2023 he recorded 103 tackles (57 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and six pass breakups, including an interception. The 2020 first-round pick started 63 of 66 regular-season games across his first four seasons, and then he earned a four-year, $96-million extension ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Carter "said he's completely healthy" again after dealing with a back injury during the 2024 season, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

The cornerback didn't fully heal from the injury until February, per Rosenblatt. Carter had a disappointing 2024 after signing a three-year, $30.75 million extension before the season started, missing four games due to injury, playing far fewer snaps than he did in 2023 (647 to 263), starting five fewer contests (six to one) and setting career lows in tackles (24) and pass breakups (one). This year, the 2021 fifth-round pick will try to return to the form of his first few seasons, when he recorded at least 50 tackles and five pass breakups in each campaign.

Ojulari (knee) is close to practicing again after tearing his ACL in training camp last August, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon said Ojulari is progressing in his rehab while taking on a "one-day-at-a-time mindset," per Urban. The defensive end is unlikely to return before training camp, but if he can get back by then, he can compete for a role in 2025. A 2023 second-round pick, Ojulari recorded 40 tackles, including 4.0 sacks, on 394 defensive snaps across 17 regular-season games as a rookie.

McCarthy has been participating in spring practices without any issues in his surgically repaired knee, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Coming back from a meniscus tear suffered last summer, McCarthy resumed on-field work in January, setting him up for a normal offseason. As expected, he had no limitations during OTAs and then passed his physical at the start of June minicamp. With Sam Howell and Brett Rypien being the veteran quarterbacks on Minnesota's roster, McCarthy doesn't appear to have any competition for the Week 1 starting job. He's in a great situation under coach Kevin O'Connell, throwing passes to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson while playing behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. McCarthy also offers more running ability that Sam Darnold, who threw for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 TDs in Minnesota during the 2024 regular season.

Williams is expected to be ready for training camp after missing June minicamp with an undisclosed injury, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Signed to a one-year contract worth up to $6 million, Williams is hoping to rebound from a down season in 2024 with his 31st birthday coming up in October. The odds may be against him, but it's at least worth noting that last season was his first year back from an ACL tear, which means he may actually be more explosive in 2025 even though he's another year older. Williams figures to compete with Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris for perimeter snaps.

Benson said Thursday that he added seven pounds during the offseason but feels more explosive, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Benson also said he wants the Cardinals to have "two RB1s" this season, suggesting he's ready for a larger role behind James Conner after taking 69 touches for 350 total yards (on 137 snaps) during his rookie campaign. The 2024 third-round pick missed the final three games of last season with an ankle injury but came back healthy for OTAs and minicamp this spring. There aren't many running backs that offer a better combination of speed and size, with Benson having run a 4.39 40 at the 2024 Combine at 6 feet, 216 pounds. It sounds like he may have maintained that speed while pushing his weight to the 220-225 range.

Broncos coach Sean Payton said Thursday that Franklin had a good spring, looking "extremely explosive" and "about five pounds heavier," Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Franklin had 2,274 receiving yards and 23 TDs over his final two seasons at Oregon, but he fell to the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft after checking in at just 172 pounds at the combine -- an unheard of weight for a 6-foot-2 wide receiver in the NFL. He's still among the thinnest players at his position, and coming off a low-impact rookie year with 263 yards on 53 targets, but Franklin may nonetheless be part of the competition this summer for Denver's Nos. 2 and 3 WR spots behind top target Courtland Sutton. The competition includes Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele and rookie third-round pick Pat Bryant.

Thomas (shoulder) was a full practice participant Thursday, SI.com's John Shipley reports.

He returned for the final offseason practice after exiting early a day before. With the shoulder injury confirmed to minor, Thomas should be a full go for the start of training camp, where he'll look to build on a phenomenal rookie season in which he caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 TDs on 133 targets. The Jaguars have a new coaching staff, led by Liam Coen, and a new-look WR room with Travis Hunter and Dyami Brown replacing Christian Kirk (Texans) and Gabe Davis (free agent).

Jennings dealt with a minor calf injury during the offseason program, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

It doesn't sound like something that will impact Jennings' availability for training camp, but this did leave the 49ers without their projected top three WRs during spring practices, with Brandon Aiyuk still rehabbing an ACL tear and Ricky Pearsall nursing a hamstring injury. In their absence, free-agent addition Demarcus Robinson and 2024 fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing reportedly stepped up and took more reps on the first-team offense.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Thursday that Brown (undisclosed) will undergo an MRI, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Quinn did not specify the nature of Brown's issue, but the veteran wideout appeared to go down via a non-contact injury while making a catch on the ground at practice Wednesday. He was able to walk to the sideline under his own strength but then had to be carted into the building. If the MRI reveals a significant injury for Brown, Washington will have to count on one of Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, Michael Gallup (hamstring), K.J. Osborn or Chris Moore to step up as the No. 3 receiver behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel.