NFL Player News

Darnold (oblique) was listed as limited on Wednesday's practice estimate, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Since injuring his left oblique in practice ahead of the Seahawks' divisional-round game against the 49ers, Darnold has operated with practice restrictions but suited up for both of the team's playoff contests, completing 37 of 53 passes (69.8 percent) for 470 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in the process. After Sunday's victory over the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, coach Mike Macdonald told Brady Henderson of ESPN.com on Monday that Darnold was dealing with some soreness, but the oblique issue remains "nothing major." Darnold will have a week and a half to get as healthy as possible ahead of Super Bowl LX versus the Patriots on Sunday, Feb. 8.

Maye was listed as limited on Wednesday's estimated injury report due to a right shoulder injury.

During New England's three-game run to Super Bowl LX, Maye has taken an NFL-leading 15 sacks, which may have contributed to a below-average 55.8 completion percentage so far in the playoffs (down from a league-high 72 percent from the regular season). Still, he put up 533 passing yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, rushed 24 times for 141 yards and one TD and fumbled six times (three lost) during that span. Maye appears to be tending to some residual wear and tear as a result, but his status will continue to be watched during the Patriots' two-week ramp-up period for a matchup with the Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 8.

Minshew (knee) will not require any procedures to address the season-ending knee injury he suffered in Week 16 and is already back to full strength, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Minshew missed the final two games of the regular season due to a left knee injury initially reported as a torn ACL and was then diagnosed as a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture, though Schefter now reports that the veteran quarterback merely suffered a bone bruise. After having played out the 2025 season on a one-year, $1.17 million contract with the Chiefs, Minshew will now be fully healthy in time to hit free agency this offseason. If he doesn't reunite with Kansas City, Minshew should have little difficulty securing a backup role elsewhere in the league.

New Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday the team would "definitely" want Rodgers back if he decides to play in the 2026 season, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

After Mike Tomlin stepped down as the Steelers' head coach in mid-January, it was reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that Rodgers was unlikely to re-up with the team after playing out 2025 on a one-year contract. A reunion with McCarthy might make the 42-year-old quarterback reconsider, however, as the two won Super Bowl XLV together with Green Bay back in 2011 -- coincidentally, a 31-25 victory over Pittsburgh. If he doesn't return to the Steelers, Rodgers will most likely retire.

Clowney recorded 41 tackles (24 solo), including 8.5 sacks, and added four passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries over 13 regular-season games for the Cowboys in 2025.

The veteran edge rusher didn't sign with Dallas until September and didn't debut with the team until Week 4, but Clowney was fully up to speed in the second half of the season and racked up 6.5 of his sacks in his final five games. An unrestricted free agent once again this offseason, a return to the Cowboys in 2026 seems unlikely for the 32-year-old mercenary given his track record -- Clowney's played for six different teams over the last seven seasons -- but he's still capable of making an impact in the pass rush wherever he lands. Over the last three years, split between Dallas, Carolina and Baltimore, Clowney's delivered 23.5 sacks in 44 regular-season games.

Wilson recorded 71 tackles (39 solo) and a forced fumble while adding five passes defended, including two interceptions, over 15 regular-season games for the Cowboys in 2025.

Dallas had one of the worst defenses in the league, but Wilson was still able to produce decent numbers, with his pass defended and INT totals tying his career highs. The veteran safety did miss two games in the middle of the season with an elbow injury and dealt with other nagging issues throughout the year, and at 30 years old there may not be a huge market for his services in free agency. The Cowboys brought in a new defensive coordinator in Christian Parker, but Wilson might be viewed as an affordable stopgap in the secondary if the front office doesn't want to spend significant resources at the position.

Hooker recorded 52 tackles (28 solo) with one pass defended over 12 regular-season games for the Cowboys in 2025.

The veteran missed five games early in the season due to a toe injury and played through back trouble late, and his numbers suffered as a result. Hooker struggled in coverage and may not be able to hold up as a physical in-the-box safety, leaving some question of where he might fit even in a depth role. He has one year left on his current contract at $6.5 million, but the Cowboys would incur just a $2 million dead cap hit if they elect to move on from Hooker this offseason under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

Murray recorded 81 tackles (38 solo), including 1.0 sacks, with two passes defended and a fumble recovery over 17 regular-season games for the Cowboys in 2025.

The veteran linebacker was brought over from Tennessee in a March trade and was expected to be the centerpiece of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' system, which has historically led to big numbers for linebackers. Instead, the 27-year-old Murray seemed lost in the scheme and failed to make much of an impact, as he didn't collect double-digit tackles in any game. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and with Dallas having moved on from Eberflus to bring Christian Parker over from Philadelphia as the new DC, Murray likely will have to find another employer.

James recorded 91 tackles (40 solo) with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble over 14 regular-season games in 2025.

A fifth-round pick out of Florida in the 2025 Draft, James was inactive for the first three games of the season as former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus leaned heavily veteran linebacker Kenneth Murray, but once James got into the lineup he made an impact, producing double-digit tackles on three separate occasions. However, James struggled in coverage, and he lost his starting spot again briefly once DeMarvion Overshown returned from knee surgery in Week 11. James drew back in when Overshown suffered a Week 16 concussion, and the rookie wrapped up the season with 13 tackles in Week 18 against the Giants. Depending on the Cowboys' offseason moves, James could be in line to start in Week 1 next season under new DC Christian Parker, who brings a LB-friendly system with him from Philadelphia.

Walker was arrested Friday at LaGuardia Airport in New York and charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm, the New York Post reports.

After he attempted to check a bag that contained a firearm, the 25-year-old was taken into custody and appeared in Queens County Criminal Court on the gun charge before he was released later Friday. According to Walker's attorney, the Green Bay offensive tackle's gun was legally licensed in Wisconsin, but Walker wasn't aware that he couldn't travel with the firearm to New York. Walker is due back in court March 19, and the NFL will likely wait until the legal matter is resolved before deciding whether he'll be subject to any discipline.