NFL Player News

Head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that Watson (knee) has "been outstanding" in his recovery from the torn right ACL he suffered in early January and is "working hard," Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

LaFleur said Watson's work ethic approaching his ACL rehab has been impressive, per Ryan Wood of USA Today, but the timing of the young wideout's injury sheds serious doubt on his availability for the early portion of the regular season. Green Bay also invested significant draft capital at the wide receiver position in April's draft in the form of first-round pick Matthew Golden and third-rounder Savion Williams. With all of Jayden Reed (shoulder), Romeo Doubs (concussion), Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Mecole Hardman (knee) and Malik Heath also on hand, the Packers boast one of the league's most crowded receiver rooms, meaning Watson will face tough competition for snaps even if he enjoys an exceptional recovery timeline.

Campbell (shoulder) isn't taking part in rookie minicamp Friday, Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com reports.

Campbell is still recovering from a torn labrum that he had surgically repaired in March. The Eagles have more than enough talent on defense to bring the rookie first-round pick along slowly, though Campbell's expected to recover from his injury in time for training camp.

Johnson had his fifth-year option declined by the Chargers on Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

The offensive guard has started all 51 games he's played in across three pro seasons. A 2022 first-round pick, Johnson should be in line to start again in 2025, as Los Angeles' only major addition to the offensive line in the offseason came in the form of free-agent signing Mekhi Becton. Becton should slide in at right guard with Johnson, with last year's center Bradley Bozeman and tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater filling out the rest of the line, though Johnson might see time at center this year.

Ekwonu had his fifth-year option picked up by the Panthers on Thursday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The 2022 first-round pick has started all 49 games he's played in across three pro seasons. Ekwonu suited up for all 17 regular-season games in 2022 and '23 but missed two with an ankle injury in 2024. He appears likely to retain his starting left tackle role in 2025.

Elam had his fifth-year option declined by the Cowboys on Thursday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Dallas would have had to pay Elam, a depth corner with the Bills last year, about $12.7 million in 2026 if it had picked up the option, per Fowler. Elam was a first-round pick of the Bills in 2022, but he struggled to secure a starting role before being traded to the Cowboys in March. He'll now try to compete for a role in the last year of his rookie contract.

Walker had his fifth-year option declined by the Packers on Thursday, though the team still wants to work out an extension, Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports.

The 2022 first-round pick has recorded 121 (75 solo), 118 (59 solo) and 102 (72 solo) tackles across his three pro regular seasons, respectively, leading Green Bay in the category each year. Walker did miss seven combined games due to injuries the last two seasons, including three with an ankle issue and one with a concussion in 2024. Despite those injuries, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst called Walker "really impactful," "a great leader" and a player the team "would love to have" around "for longer than just a couple years," per Demovsky.

Diggs (knee) is likely to open training camp on the PUP list after undergoing surgery for a cartilage issue in January, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday that he doesn't want Diggs to miss time during the rehab process, per Watkins. Diggs suffered a torn ACL during Week 3 of the 2023 season and left Dallas during that rehab process, though he still recovered in time to start the 2024 campaign before dealing with foot, ankle, calf and groin issues, as well as the knee cartilage injury that ultimately ended his season. The cornerback recorded 11 pass breakups, including two interceptions, last year in the 11 games he managed to play in.

The Titans officially declined the fifth-year option on Burks' (knee) rookie contract Thursday, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

Burks' fifth-year option being declined is no surprise, given that he's currently working his way back from an ACL tear suffered Week 6 of the 2024 season, and when healthy had failed to secure a top three role behind Calvin Ridley, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Tyler Boyd. Westbrook-Ikhine and Boyd have since parted ways with Tennessee, though the team added Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson as experienced options to complement Ridley for new franchise quarterback Cam Ward. Per Turron Davenport of ESPN.com, head coach Brian Callahan stressed the necessity of Burks hitting the ground running and making plays once he's returned to full health when addressing the media Tuesday.

Las Vegas signed Johnson to a contract Thursday.

Johnson appeared in nine regular-season games with the Bears in 2024, ending the year as the team's No. 4 wide receiver, but he was targeted just twice over that stretch. The 2020 fifth-round pick, who has also logged action with the Jaguars and Giants, now faces an opportunity to carve out a depth role with the Raiders.

The Chiefs waived Mettauer on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The 24-year-old offensive lineman spent the 2024 season on injured reserve with a torn MCL suffered last preseason. He's still looking to make his regular-season NFL debut and will try to latch on elsewhere.