NFL Player News

Penix (ACL) said Tuesday at mandatory minicamp that "the expectation" is for him to participate in 11-on-11 drills during training camp, though he will first need to gain clearance from team doctors, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Penix did not participate in full-team drills at mandatory minicamp, though he reportedly showed no signs of discomfort while taking 7-on-7 and individual reps as well as footwork drills with quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt. The 26-year-old signal-caller spoke positively about his recovery progress, saying "each and every day that I come out here, I feel better than the day before." Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Penix is "exactly where he needs to be." Once Penix is fully cleared, he will face a competition with Tua Tagovailoa for the Week 1 starting job.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday at mandatory minicamp that TeSlaa has "impressed" the coaching staff this offseason and already "feels like a veteran," Tim Twentyman of the team's official site reports.

Campbell noted that he wished Detroit had gotten TeSlaa more touches as a rookie and said the receiver "became a guy [...] we had a lot of trust in" down the stretch. The 2025 third-round pick appeared in all 17 regular-season games, recording 16 catches for 239 yards and six touchdowns. While TeSlaa faces stiff competition for targets alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta (back), the "consistency" that Campbell praised could help him earn a larger role in 2026.

Coach Dan Campbell said that LaPorta (back), who was a partial participant in Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice, could be cleared for the start of training camp next month, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. "We like where he's going," Campbell said of the tight end Tuesday. "He's trending the right way."

LaPorta, who underwent surgery this past November to address a herniated disc in his back, hasn't taken part in full-speed team drills this spring. However, the tight end did work with the Lions' first-team offense during the 25-minute jog-through portion of Tuesday's session before working off to the side with a trainer during seven-on-seven and position drills. As LaPorta progresses toward working fully coming training camp, Birkett adds that the 2023 second-rounder is expected to sign a contract extension with Detroit at some point this summer. Prior to his injury, LaPorta recorded a 40/489/3 receiving line (on 49 targets) in nine regular-season contests in 2025.

Dupree, who missed the Chargers' lone playoff game last season due to a hamstring issue, is participating in OTAs, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Dupree hurt his hamstring in Week 18 last season and had to sit out the Chargers' wild-card round loss to New England. However, his attendance during OTAs suggests that the veteran linebacker is back to full health. Dupree started just five of the 16 games in which he played last year and is slated for a similar role in 2026, as Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack are back as Los Angeles' starting outside linebackers.

The Broncos excused Cooper from this week's mandatory minicamp, Jeff Legwold of ESPN reports.

"He's taking this time, obviously, he's got to work on himself,'' coach Sean Payton said Tuesday of Cooper, who was arrested twice during a seven-day span earlier this month on multiple domestic violence charges, including one felony. When asked if the Broncos planned to let the legal process conclude before a decision on Cooper's future with the team is made, Payton said: "There's a process period from the league and that involves the local law enforcement. We'll continue to gather that information.'' Regarding the linebacker's legal situation, a league spokesman said last week only that the NFL was monitoring the case.

Bell is participating during the Cowboys' minicamp, Gareth Patterson of The Lufkin Daily News reports.

Bell was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and marijuana back in April, but the NFL has yet to send down any disciplinary action. As long as he remains available, he projects to play a rotational role in Dallas' secondary in 2026.

Henningsen (Achilles) is participating during the Broncos' minicamp, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.

Henningsen sat out the entire 2025 season after tearing his Achilles during a practice in August, but it looks like he's back in shape as minicamp kicks off. He'll be competing for a depth role on Denver's defensive line in 2026.

Per coach Kevin Stefanski, Taylor (elbow) is progressing in his rehab from the injuries he was nursing at the end of the 2025 season, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor was sidelined for Kansas City's last five games of 2025 due to triceps and elbow injuries, and he's still not fully ready for football activities after signing with the Falcons in April. Until he's back in action, former Kansas City teammate Wanya Morris projects as a candidate to work at right tackle with the first team.

Nix (ankle), who returned to individual work during Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice, suggested that he could be "full-go right now if they wanted me to," Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

The Broncos are proceeding cautiously with their franchise QB, who is bouncing back from surgery to repair an ankle injury he suffered during the Broncos' divisional-round playoff win over the Bills in January, as well as a subsequent cleanup procedure to address bone spurs. In terms of his recovery, Nix indicated that his doctors have told him his ankle "looks good as new," while adding that he'll be "just fine" for the upcoming season. Though he'll remain limited in minicamp, coach Sean Payton reiterated Tuesday that Nix is in line to be a full practice participant when the team returns to training camp later this summer.

Pittsburgh signed Windmon on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Winmon spent parts of the 2024 and 2025 seasons on the Steelers' practice squad, and he's back with the team ahead of training camp. He'll be vying for a depth spot in the front seven on Pittsburgh's 53-man roster in 2026.