NFL Player News

Carter has been used in various roles during OTAs as the Giants try to balance his playing time with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Burns and Thibodeaux are the nominal starters at outside linebacker, but the Giants deployed numerous packages featuring all three pass rushers, including some sets in which Carter shifted inside. The third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft also got some reps with the second-team defense, including one on which Carter sacked Jameis Winston.

McFadden (neck) has been practicing with the Giants' first-team defense in OTAs, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

McFadden missed the final two games of the 2024 season, but the starting linebacker has returned to full health to begin offseason team activities. In addition to featuring in the base defense, McFadden was part of the Giants' dime package in practice. He has exceeded 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons.

Higgins said Wednesday at voluntary OTAs that he's adapted his offseason practice regimen to focus on preventing injuries, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Higgins, who inked a massive four-year, $115 million deal with the Bengals in March, said that in addition to focusing on strength and speed, his goal this offseason has been to "get my muscles right" and break his trend of lower-body soft-tissue injuries. Such issues forced him to miss five regular-season games in both 2023 and 2024. Even if he plays a full 17 regular-season games for the first time in his career, Higgins could have a tough time repeating his per-game efficiency from 2024, when he tallied 73 catches for 911 yards (on 109 targets) and a career-high 12 touchdowns across 12 appearances. A portion of Higgins' production can be attributed to Joe Burrow leading the league in pass attempts while struggling to compensate for Cincinnati's porous defense, which allowed 25.5 points per game. The Bengals failed to substantially revamp the defense this offseason, though, which could set the stage for a similar script in 2025, especially with Ja'Marr Chase and TE Mike Gesicki having re-signed to provide complete continuity on offense.

Guerendo (knee/ankle) was an active participant at voluntary OTAs, per the 49ers' official site.

Guerendo sustained MCL and ankle sprains in his left leg during San Francisco's regular-season finale, but the 2024 fourth-round pick appears back to full health ahead of mandatory minicamp, which will take place June 10-11. Christian McCaffrey also looks fully healthy after having been limited to four appearances in 2024, which leaves Guerendo competing for No. 2 reps entering Year 2 of his career. The 49ers saw fit to trade Jordan Mason to Minnesota this offseason and let Elijah Mitchell link up with the Chiefs in free agency, though the team did re-sign Patrick Taylor and select Jordan James in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Guerendo's combo of athleticism and explosiveness makes him a high-upside backup to McCaffrey, but injuries have been a consistent roadblock for him dating back to college.

Moore (knee) has been an on-field participant at OTAs, per the Vikings' official site.

Moore appears healthy as he begins work to carve out a depth role in Minnesota's wide receiver corps, where Jalen Nailor appears fairly secure as the No. 3 receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. A non-contact knee injury sustained last August forced Moore to spend the entire 2024 season, his first and only in Atlanta, on IR. Across three years and 39 regular-season games with Arizona, the 2021 second-rounder combined for 135 catches for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns, plus 52 carries for 249 rushing yards. If Moore's recovery hasn't impacted his burst, his unusual skill set could find a place in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Thursday that Engram (shoulder), who has been an active participant at OTAs, has shown "real good instincts" at practice, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Engram said Thursday he feels "the potential is through the roof" for second-year quarterback Bo Nix, per DiLalla, and the veteran tight end projects to be a significant part of the young signal-caller's Year 2 development. Now fully recovered from the hamstring and labrum injuries that limited him to nine regular-season appearances with Jacksonville in 2024, Engram is entrenched as Denver's top tight end above Adam Trautman, and he's staring down a seemingly straightforward path to emerging as the No. 2 option in the passing game behind top wideout Courtland Sutton. Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin project as complementary options and are joined by rookie third-rounder Pat Bryant, but Engram is clearly the Broncos' most proficient target outlet for short passes, even if his prime is in the past as he enters his age-31 season. Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports that Engram's usage at OTAs suggests a key role in the passing game.

Wallace (shoulder) is participating in OTAs, Jeff Hawkins of the Charlotte Post reports.

Wallace suffered a shoulder injury in mid-December and required surgery to resolve the issue. He spent a significant portion of his rookie season as a starter, but he'll have to compete for that role in 2025 after the Panthers added Christian Rozeboom this offseason.

Clayton (shoulder) is participating in OTAs, per the Buffalo Bills' official site.

Clayton landed on injured reserve at the close of training camp in 2024 and missed the rest of the season. While he's back on the field, he's likely a long shot to crack the Bills' 2025 roster.

Bertrand (eye) is participating in OTAs, Daniel Flick of SI.com reports.

Bertrand closed his rookie season on the sidelines with an eye injury, though the issue is now behind him. He could be in line for a key reserve role in the middle of Atlanta's defense while also serving on special teams in 2025.

Armour-Davis (hamstring) has been able to participate in OTAs, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Armour-Davis was injured throughout the 2024 season, but he ended the campaign sidelined with a hamstring injury. He'll be ready to compete for a roster spot in minicamp and training camp and is most likely to contribute on special teams.