NFL Player News

McLaughlin is working to earn an increased workload entering Year 2 while competing with backfield mates Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post reports.

McLaughlin has been one of the earliest to arrive throughout Denver's voluntary offseason workouts, and at mandatory minicamp he reportedly looked more explosive than in his rookie season, when he averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi praised McLaughlin's "speed, acceleration (and) explosiveness," saying "I don't know if there's anyone who works harder than him." Still, the Broncos' backfield is crowded, with Javonte Williams presumably still the No. 1 option and another year removed from his ACL injury, plus rookie fifth-rounder Audric Estime (knee) and undrafted free agent Blake Watson having been added to the mix.

The Browns waived Phelps on Thursday.

The move follows a Wednesday night incident in which the defensive end was charged with drunken driving. Phelps, who first joined the Browns as an undrafted free agent last May, spent the 2023 season on the team's practice squad and was subsequently signed to a reserve/future contract in January.

Stevenson has agreed to a four-year extension with the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Per Schefter, Stevenson's deal is for $36 million, of which $17 million is reportedly guaranteed. The move to extend the 2021 fourth-rounder beyond his current pact solidifies the Patriots backfield ahead of Jerod Mayo's first season as head coach, and with the team transitioning at the QB position, look for Stevenson and fellow RB Antonio Gibson to be key drivers of New England's offense in 2024. Over the course of 12 regular-season games last season, Stevenson logged 156 carries for 619 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 38 catches for 238 yards on 51 targets. As training camp approaches, the 26-year-old has moved past the ankle issue that cost him time down the stretch in 2023, with Stevenson's new contract terms reflecting his continued status as his team's lead back.

Higbee (knee) remains without a timetable to return, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Higbee suffered ACL and MCL tears during a wild-card loss to the Lions on Jan. 14, and the timing of the injury makes it likely that he'll start training camp on the PUP list. If he's unavailable at the start of the season, the Rams will rely onColby Parkinson, Davis Allen and Hunter Long at tight end.

Harrison has impressed throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp and quickly solidified himself as the top option in Arizona's wide receiver room, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports.

Harrison was fully expected to ascend as the No. 1 target for quarterback Kyler Murray upon being chosen No. 4 overall in April's draft, so it's no surprise that his offseason transition to the NFL has been "pretty seamless," per coach Jonathan Gannon, who also said the rookie has been "everything I expected." By all reports, Harrison has had no issues picking up Arizona's playbook, with positional mate Michael Wilson calling him "very perspicacious," saying "I truly think sky's the limit for [Harrison]." Tight end Trey McBride may represent more real competition for targets than fellow wideouts Wilson or Greg Dortch, but it's easy to envision a scenario where the Cardinals' passing offense is heavily filtered through its top two targets. The biggest question for Harrison will be whether he can live up to his hype immediately, as his ADP has already risen to the early second round of most 2024 fantasy drafts.

Kittle (core muscle) recently told the Bussin' With The Boys podcast that he lost nearly 30 pounds at the beginning of the offseason while rehabbing injuries.

Kittle had core muscle surgery after the Super Bowl and was also recovering from shoulder and rib injuries at the time -- a combination that prevented him from doing both upper- and lower-body weightlifting for about a month. He said he's "almost back to 100 percent" and has regained most of the lost weight, but he still wants to add about 10 more pounds before the start of the regular season. It sounds like Kittle will be ready for the beginning of training camp in late July.

Teamer is slated to sign a one-year contract with the Saints on Thursday, Matthew Paras of NOLA.com reports.

Teamer, a New Orleans native and former Tulane standout, spent the last three seasons in Las Vegas but attended the Saints' rookie minicamp and mandatory minicamp. He was waived by the Raiders back in November and also arrested for a DUI. Now, Teamer faces an opportunity to compete for a depth role at safety, where his ability to contribute on special teams could also come in handy.

Mims is slated to sign with the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Mims was waived by Pittsburgh on Tuesday, but he's quickly found a new opportunity to compete. He logged time on the Steelers practice squad last season, though he never suited up for a game with the team. The 2020 second-round pick spent the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Jets, before being traded to the Lions during the 2023 offseason, then failing to make Detroit's roster.

The Packers waived Podlesny on Wednesday.

Podlesny agreed to a reserve/future contract with the Packers in January after going undrafted last spring, but the team has now decided to part ways with the 24-year-old kicker. With Podlesny getting waived, Green Bay's kicking competition will be between Greg Joseph and Anders Carlson, barring any outside additions prior to training camp.

The Steelers waived Thompson (neck) on Wednesday.

Thompson appears to have recovered from the neck injury that caused him to be placed on injured reserve back in January, as he wasn't waived with an injury designation. He suited up for six contests (one start) with Pittsburgh in 2023, recording 22 tackles, three passes defensed and one interception. Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com relays that Thompson opted against undergoing offseason surgery and was able to recover from the neck injury through rest and rehab.