NFL Player News

The Cardinals and Brissett haven't made inroads on an amended contract, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

According to Weinfuss, the two sides are "significantly" far apart on a new deal, and Brissett will continue to stay away from Arizona's offseason program without one, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Brissett is seeking an increase in the $1.5 million in guarantees on his current contract for 2026, which likely was spurred by the combination of his output from his 12 starts last season (3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 65.1 percent passing), the fact offseason signing Gardner Minshew has $5.14 million in guaranteed money for the upcoming campaign, and the Cardinals drafting Carson Beck in the third round of this year's draft. The situation could gain clarity as the team draws closer to mandatory minicamp (June 8-10), as Brissett's continued absence then would be subject to fines.

James "seems the most likely" of San Francisco's running backs behind Christian McCaffrey to earn the No. 2 role for the upcoming campaign, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Brian Robinson served as San Francisco's No. 2 back last season, but he's since joined Atlanta. That leaves James, Isaac Guerendo, rookie Kaelon Black, Patrick Taylor and Sincere McCormick to battle for position behind McCaffrey, who led the NFL with 413 regular-season touches last year. The 49ers may want to reduce McCaffrey's workload in 2026, but that could hinge on whether a reliable No. 2 back emerges from the above-mentioned group. Wagoner suggests that James has an inside track on the job based partly on his strong play during garbage time in the 49ers' blowout loss to Seattle in the NFC divisional round, when he rushed six times for 28 yards and caught his lone target for seven yards. That's a very small sample size and is far from a guarantee that James -- who didn't play until Week 16 last year -- will take hold of top backup role, though it's worth noting that Guerendo, who may be James' biggest competition for the job, appeared in 14 regular-season games in 2025 but didn't log a single snap on offense.

Jones (neck) is "feeling fine" and back around the Steelers for OTAs, Michael Baca of NFL.com reports.

Jones suffered a neck injury in the Steelers' Week 12 loss against the Bears last season, one that required a spinal fusion surgery the veteran offensive tackle is still recovering from. Considering the Steelers selected offensive tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Jones, once healthy, may need to compete for a job that he previously appeared to have a solid grasp on.

The Eagles stated Friday that Dejean will be moving to safety in a base defense, Brandon Lee Gowton of bleedinggreennation.com reports.

Dejean played many of his 2025 snaps as the slot cornerback in the Eagles' scheme, but it appears the team intends to test Marcus Epps with a competition for the starting strong safety job. With Michael Carter joining the team after a 2025 midseason trade, it seems defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is attempting to maximize his defensive backs. Both Dejean and Carter have received All-Pro votes at slot cornerback, with Dejean winning first team honors in 2025. If Dejean can translate that talent to safety, the Eagles could field elite value at both positions as they attempt to defend the NFC East title.

Campbell (shoulder) may not participate in OTAs but will be ready for training camp, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio made it clear that the linebacker would be ready for training camp and left the door open for Campbell to even log some reps in the latter portion of OTAs. The 2025 first-round pick is set to step into a starting role next to Zack Baun in 2026. The departure of Nakobe Dean in free agency means Campbell will take on an expanded role in the Eagles' defense.

GM Joe Hortiz noted Thursday on the 'Up & Adams' show that the "door is not closed" regarding a possible return to the Chargers by Allen, Eric Smith of the team's official site reports.

Allen, who caught 81 of his 122 targets for 777 yards and four TD in 17 regular-season games with Los Angeles in 2025, remains unsigned at this stage of the offseason. For now, Hortiz said that the Chargers are "in a spot where we're looking at the roster and letting (the team's) young guys get a chance. But I've had some communication with Keenan's representation and we've talked." As things stand, Tre' Harris, Brenen Thompson, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Derius Davis are in line to compete for WR targets that don't go to Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.

Ward noted Thursday that he's he's lost 10 pounds during the offseason by focusing on his diet, Turron Davenport of ESPN reports.

"I think it'll help me with durability...just being faster, getting up in the pocket, and trying to play my speed," said Ward, who Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site indicates has recovered from an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder suffered in Week 18 last season. With that in mind, coach Robert Saleh said Thursday of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, "his arm's perfectly healthy. He's slinging the ball. I mean, he's got some good velocity on it." As the coming campaign approaches, Ward will be working with a WR corps that welcomes back Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, and that was notably bolstered by the signing of free agent Wan'Dale Robinson and addition of Carnell Tate via the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 Draft.

Robertson-Harris suffered an Achilles tear during Thursday's practice, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

With Robertson-Harris presumably out for most or all of the 2026 season, New York will need more snaps out of veteran signings DJ Reader and Shelby Harris or youngsters Darius Alexander and Bobby Jamison-Travis. The team traded star DT Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati earlier this offseason, leaving new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson without a clear standout on the interior line. The Giants are counting on edge rushers Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux to provide the vast majority of sacks and pressures this season. Robertson-Harris has just 19.0 sacks in 134 regular-season games, but he's made 79 starts, including 17 last year in New York.

The Texans waived/injured Carter (hamstring) on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Carter ended his rookie season on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, and it's uncertain if his current injury is related. Regardless, the 25-year-old cornerback will land on injured reserve if he isn't claimed on waivers. Carter played two games for the Texans last year and stuck to special teams.

Payton (head) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Payton was evaluated for a concussion to end the season and never returned, but there's no lingering effects to start the offseason program. The 26-year-old has logged 23 tackles (11 solo) -- mostly on special teams -- and two pass breakups through 25 games over his first two years in the league.