NFL Player News

The Bengals are declining Murphy's fifth-year option for 2027, Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Murphy set career-best marks across the board in 2025 with 52 tackles (28 solo), including 5.5 sacks, but that wasn't enough to convince Bengals brass to pick up the 2023 first-round pick's fifth-year option. He remains under contract in 2026 on the fourth year of his rookie deal, and Conway adds that the Bengals are still hoping to work out a long-term extension to keep Murphy in Cincinnati despite choosing not to pick up his fifth-year option.

Slayton (abdomen) recently underwent surgery on a core-muscle injury and will miss spring workouts, but he's expected to be available for training camp in July, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Slayton is expected to face a multi-month recovery timeline, but he would have plenty of time to ramp up ahead of the regular season in September if the veteran wide receiver is indeed cleared by the start of training camp. The Giants lost 2025 target leader Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency but are expected to get top wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) back in 2026 and bolstered their wide receiver room by signing Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin, in addition to drafting Malachi Fields in the third round, providing competition for Slayton's starting job.

Ekeler (Achilles) recently received full medical clearance for football activities and intends to continue his playing career in 2026, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Ekeler's 2025 season with the Commanders came to an end in Week 2, when he tore his right Achilles tendon on a non-contact play. The veteran running back underwent surgery soon thereafter and has apparently made a smooth recovery. While he's set to turn 31 years old in May, Ekeler isn't far removed from being one of the NFL's top pass-catching backs and could offer some utility in a depth role. Ekeler remains a free agent, but now that he's been given a clean bill of health, his market could pick up as teams look to fill out their running-back rooms prior to training camp.

Fotu and the Giants agreed on a one-year contract Wednesday, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports.

Fotu will head to New York after recording 11 total tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks, over eight regular-season contests with the Texans and Raiders last year. The 28-year-old will provide the Giants with an additional veteran option at defensive tackle in 2026.

The Vikings signed Johnson on Wednesday, Lindsey Young of the team's official site reports.

The details of the contract are unknown at this point, but Johnson will be linking up with his third team in as many years. He played a depth role on the interior of Indianapolis' defensive line in 2025, logging 131 defensive snaps over 12 games. He joins rookie first-rounder Caleb Banks (foot) and rookie third-rounder Domonique Orange as recent acquisitions meant to beef up Minnesota's defensive front.

Detroit signed Tufele on Wednesday.

Tufele appeared in 12 games in a depth role with the Jets in 2025, but now he's moving on to his third team in as many seasons. It looks like the Lions are going to be without veteran starter DJ Reader, so it's not hard to imagine Tufele earning a spot on the team's 53-man roster for 2026.

The Lions signed Bachie on Wednesday.

Detroit will be Bachie's fourth team in as many years. He's logged regular-season snaps, mostly on special teams, in each of his seven seasons since he made his pro debut with Philadelphia in 2020. The Lions lost veteran starter Alex Anzalone to the Buccaneers in free agency back in March, so there could be room for Bachie to stick on the 53-man roster in a depth role in 2026.

Seattle signed Bryant on Wednesday, Ari Horton of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The details of the deal are unknown at this point, but Bryant fits with the Seahawks' recent approach of seeking out hard-nosed tight ends. As for his competition, 2024 fourth-rounder AJ Barner, 2025 second-rounder Elijah Arroyo and veteran Eric Saubert are all likely to make Seattle's 53-man roster to start the 2026 season, but there's a decent chance the team keeps four tight ends, meaning one of Bryant or Nick Kallerup could potentially make the opening roster too.

The Bills signed VanSumeren (knee) to a one-year contract Wednesday, Alec White of the Bills' official site reports.

Philadelphia opted not to tender VanSumeren after his third season with the team back in March, but it didn't take long for him to get another shot with a new squad. His 2025 season ended prematurely due to him tearing his patella tendon during the opening kickoff of Week 1, but in the two years prior, his elite speed, strength and explosiveness allowed him to earn opportunities on special teams.

Kansas City waived Powell on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

After signing Emari Demercado in March and using a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Emmett Johnson on Saturday, the Chiefs found that they didn't have room for Powell anymore. The undersized running back will now have to look for another opportunity with a different team.