NFL Player News

Miller (concussion) participated in voluntary OTAs on Thursday, while starter Alvin Kamara (groin) was not in attendance, Luke Johnson of NOLA.com reports.

Miller missed New Orleans' regular-season finale due to a concussion in 2024, after a pair of hamstring injuries had forced him to miss all but two of the team's first 12 games; however, he's now fully healthy. Miller will turn only 23 in June, so he still has an opportunity to secure the No. 2 role behind Kamara, a three-down workhorse who is entering his age 30-season. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and rookie sixth-rounder Devin Neal represent Miller's top competition for backup reps. Head coach Kellen Moore said he views this offseason as "a blank slate" for Miller, per John Sigler of USA Today, but the reality is that the 2023 third-round pick is likely running out of chances to prove he can stay healthy. Injuries have limited Miller to just 14 regular-season appearances (out of 34 possible games) since entering the league, and he's mustered 80 carries for 304 yards (3.8 YPC) and two scores in that span.

Olave (concussion) is participating in OTAs without restrictions and took reps returning punts Thursday, Luke Johnson of NOLA.com reports.

Olave hasn't been tasked with fielding punts or kickoffs once since entering the league in 2022, so Thursday's special-teams reps likely don't forebode any actual upcoming usage in the return game. It's simply encouraging to note that the fourth-year pro looks completely healthy at spring practices, as Matthew Paras of NOLA.com reports, and that he's been available to assist with New Orleans' three-way quarterback competition that's the result of Derek Carr's (shoulder) recent retirement announcement. Olave has some experience playing with both Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener (oblique), the latter who could be out until training camp, but rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough is an entirely new name in the mix. The Saints exercised Olave's fifth-year option in April, so his rookie deal with the team now runs through 2026.

Brown will be out until training camp after undergoing a procedure on his ankle, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

It's a bit of a hiccup for the safety who enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign in 2024, recording 77 tackles (48 solo), including three for a loss, and six pass breakups, including an interception. As long as Brown really does return for training camp, though, he should be in line to start again in 2025.

Williams (knee) appears "close to a full return" after moving well during OTAs on Thursday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The defensive end tore his ACL and MCL during training camp last August and did not play in 2024. While he was only participating with a rehab group Thursday, he seems like he should be ready for this year's training camp. Williams, a 2022 second-round pick, has yet to start a game in his NFL career, though he did play in 35 contests between the regular season and playoffs over his first two seasons, recording 48 total tackles (30 solo), including 8.5 sacks.

Pearsall is dealing with a hamstring injury, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Shanahan describes Pearsall's hamstring issue as a tweak, but the wideout, who Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News notes worked on the side during Thursday's OTA, isn't likely to resume practicing until training camp, with the team leaning toward exercising caution with Pearsall during next month's mandatory minicamp. Once he's healthy, the 2024 first-rounder is projected to have a key role in a 49ers wideout corps that no longer includes Deebo Samuel, especially with Brandon Aiyuk still recovering from ACL and MCL tears that he sustained to his right knee last October.

McPherson has recovered from a torn abductor muscle sustained in 2024, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

McPherson has been participating in Cincinnati's voluntary OTAs, indicating he's fully recovered from the abdomen injury that forced him to miss the team's final five games last season. The Florida product had the worst season of his NFL career in 2024, converting on just 16 of 22 field-goal attempts. Over the past two seasons, he's made only 52.6 percent of his field-goal tries (10 of 19) from 50 or more yards. However, he's missed just one of his last 78 extra-point attempts and appears poised for a bounce-back season in 2025.

Martin (undisclosed) was waived/injured by the Packers on Wednesday.

The undrafted defensive end from Washington appears to have picked up an injury and will be placed on the Packers' injured reserve list if he goes unclaimed on waivers. Throughout his final 13 collegiate games, Martin recorded 41 total tackles, including 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass defended.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Thursday that Pacheco "looks tremendous" at OTAs and has "put on some good weight," Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.

Pacheco missed Week 3 through Week 12 last season due to a broken fibula and looked like a shadow of his usual self when back in action, averaging just 3.4 YPC across Kansas City's five remaining regular season games and three playoff contests. When healthy Pacheco is an explosive, physical ball carrier capable of overrunning would-be tacklers, as demonstrated by his 4.9 YPC and 4.6 YPC averages in 2022 and 2023. An offseason to return to full form should securely position Pacheco atop the Chiefs' running back depth chart, especially in the wake of the team's decision to forego early-round additions to the position in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Chiefs re-signed Kareem Hunt and added Elijah Mitchell in free agency, both to one-year deals, and added Brashard Smith in the seventh-round of April's draft, but all three backs seem more likely to push for complementary snaps than an actual committee if Pacheco can indeed return to 100 percent strength.

The Dolphins have engaged in trade talks with Pittsburgh revolving around Smith, who is seeking a reworked contract after breaking out with a career-best 88 catches, 884 yards and eight scores on 111 targets across 17 regular-season games in 2024, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Smith, who earned the first Pro Bowl nod of his career in 2024 and set new franchise records at the tight end position for Miami in terms of essentially all pass-catching metrics, is currently heading into the final season of his two-year, $10 million contract with the team and slated for just a $3.49 million base salary in 2025. His involvement on offense came at the expense of star wideouts Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle, and was due in part to coach Mike McDaniel's offense uncharacteristically abandoning downfield aggression in favor of short-area targets to Smith and running back De'Von Achane. The Dolphins' willingness to engage in trade talks regarding Smith, even after his productive breakout, could signal a desire for the team to resume primarily featuring Hill and Waddle, though that will only be possible if Tua Tagovailoa (hip) can remain healthier and an O-line that lost LT Terron Armstead to retirement is able to take a step forward. Pittsburgh should be considered a real suitor despite the presence of Pat Freiermuth, given offensive offensive coordinator's fondness for Smith, who he coached in both Tennessee and Atlanta.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Thursday that Rice (knee) is "under the weather" and has been instructed to remain away from the team for this week of voluntary OTAs, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.

Rice has missed Kansas City's first group of voluntary OTAs from May 27-29 due to an illness, but he may still be able to participate June 2-4 and/or June 10-13, after which the team will host mandatory minicamp June 17-19. Reid said Rice is making progress in his recovery from the season-ending right knee injury he sustained in Week 4, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the third-year wideout "looks explosive and fast" and appears to be working with "no limitations," per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com. It remains to be seen whether Rice is yet cleared for live contact, but it's encouraging to see that he's looked quick in on-field drills so far. Rice's ability to rack up yards after the catch gives him potential to be featured even in the Chiefs' crowded receiving corps, though the potential of a suspension in 2025 or 2026 still looms.