NFL Player News

Mahomes has been working to improve his footwork in the pocket this offseason, Dianna Russini of ESPN reports.

Mahomes has a big enough arm to often make up for his poor footwork, but growth in that area could help him raise an already impressive 66 completion percentage in his first year under center. He may have to adjust to life without one of his biggest weapons from 2018, however, as Tyreek Hill remains suspended indefinitely from team by the Chiefs. Perhaps in preparation for Hill's suspension carrying over into the regular season, Mahomes has been working on developing more chemistry with Sammy Watkins in the early stages of the offseason.

According to Mike O'Hara of the Lions' official site, Stafford played with "broken bones in his back" during the later stages of the 2018 season.

A regular on Lions injury reports over the final four weeks of the campaign, Stafford wasn't listed as less than limited on any of them while gutting out a back injury. The extent of the issue wasn't revealed until O'Hara's proclamation, though. With that knowledge, it's understandable why Stafford dipped below 200 passing yards twice in that four-game stretch after doing so just two times in the first 12 contests of the season. His health hasn't been a question mark during the offseason program as he acclimates to a more run-based offense under the direction of coordinator Darrell Bevell. Considering that development, Stafford's output could take a hit, though the presence of rising third-year wideout Kenny Golladay (chest) doesn't hurt his cause.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski expects Cousins to take a big step forward in his second season with the Vikings, NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman reports. "Having one year under his belt around his teammates is a big deal and there's so much that goes into understanding the nuances of each one of your receivers and your tight ends and knowing how they come out of routes," Stefanski said.

Cousins finished his first season in Minnesota with career highs for completion percentage (70.1) and passing touchdowns (30), but he produced just 6.6 YPA after a Week 10 bye as the team stumbled to a 3-4 finish and missed the playoffs. Stefanski was promoted to replace John DeFilippo as offensive coordinator for the final three weeks, helping secure two easy victories prior to a season-ending collapse against the Bears in Week 17. The Vikings seem to be tweaking their philosophy and terminology rather than overhauling, with the hope that some offseason changes can put the same core group of players in better positions to succeed. A shaky offensive line got some help in the form of first-round pick Garrett Bradbury and free-agent signing Josh Kline, while offensive advisor Gary Kubiak should be a useful asset for the coaching staff. There's also some hope the offense can become more versatile, with second-round pick Irv Smith Jr. potentially allowing for increased use of formations with multiple tight ends. The Vikings had three wideouts on the field for 69 percent of their snaps last season, despite getting minimal production from No. 3 receiver Laquon Treadwell.

Darnold and the Jets offense struggled during June minicamp, though dropped passes were part of the problem, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports.

Darnold's work throughout the offseason program has mostly drawn praise from the media, but it sounds like the Gang Green defense got the best of the offense in the final few practices before training camp. In addition to learning a new scheme from coach Adam Gase, the 22-year-old quarterback is trying to get comfortable with offseason acquisitions Le'Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder. The Jets have a well-balanced group of pass catchers, though tight end could be a weak spot early in the season with Chris Herndon expected to serve a short suspension.

Garoppolo (knee) took a single rep in full-team drills during Wednesday's practice, Joe Fann of the 49ers' official site reports.

Garoppolo completed a pass to Dante Pettis on the play. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Garoppolo was not yet cleared for team drills, according to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area, and this single practice rep shouldn't serve as evidence that the quarterback's status has changed. However, even if he didn't fully "return to team drills," Garoppolo's activity is nonetheless a small step in the right direction in his recovery from a torn ACL. Garoppolo should be back on the field for training camp late next month.

Garoppolo (knee) is doing individual drills and 7-on-7 work at mandatory minicamp, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Garoppolo has been throwing on a field since January and participating in 7-on-7 sessions throughout the offseason program. He's on track to participate in full-team practices at the start of training camp, but his mobility may be limited for the foreseeable future while he plays with a large brace over his surgically repaired knee. The typical outcome for quarterbacks returning from ACL tears is that they're able to play the next season but aren't quite at their best. Then again, Deshaun Watson ran for 551 yards and five touchdowns on 99 carries last season, also completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 8.2 yards per attempt with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Watson suffered his ACL tear in early November of 2017, while Garoppolo's happened in late September of 2018.

McCoy (lower leg) practiced on the rehab field during Thursday's minicamp session, Craig Hoffman of 106.7 The Fan reports.

McCoy was expected to participate in minicamp to some extent and is still expected to be ready to go when training camp begins in late July, barring any major setbacks. The 32-year-old appears to be progressing well in his recovery from his third surgery on a fractured right fibula. Even when fully healthy, McCoy will likely be limited to a backup role behind Case Keenum and first-round pick Dwayne Haskins.

Dalton (thumb) participated in OTAs throughout May, CBS WKRC Cincinnati reports.

Dalton had season-ending surgery in late November to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. He resumed throwing in February and now appears headed for full participation during training camp. Dalton was on track for one of his better seasons in 2018 before A.J. Green (toe) was injured, winning five of his first eight games while averaging 262.8 passing yards and 2.1 touchdowns per week. Green is far behind Dalton in the rehab process but should be available at some point this summer.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said Jackson won't be running "20 times a game" this coming season, ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley reports.

Jackson averaged 22.6 pass attempts and 17 carries in his starts last season, winning six of seven games with the help of a strong defense. Bisciotti said the massive rushing workload was a product of the team doing whatever it took to reach the playoffs after starting the year 4-5. With a full offseason to craft a scheme under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Ravens will aim for a more balanced approach in 2019, perhaps looking to keep Jackson closer to 10-12 carries per game. For a point of reference, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has landed between 6.0 and 8.7 carries per game in each of his eight NFL seasons, maxing out in 2017 at 139 carries for 754 yards and six TDs (a line similar to Jackson's from last year). Jackson is on a different level than Newton in terms of both speed and elusiveness, but the 22-year-old is also about 30 pounds lighter. The Ravens are counting on Jackson to develop as a passer, potentially getting a boost from first-round pick Marquise Brown (foot) and third-round pick Miles Boykin (hamstring). The team also returns Willie Snead, Chris Moore and second-year tight ends Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst, while free-agent addition Mark Ingram provides an upgrade in the backfield.

Garoppolo (knee) is doing 7-on-7 work at OTAs, putting him on pace for a return to 11-on-11s at the start of training camp, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Garoppolo plans to wear a brace over his surgically repaired left knee in 2019. He may not regain his usual mobility until late in the season or even the following year, but everything seems to be on track for Week 1, at which point he'll be 11.5 months removed from tearing his ACL. The 27-year-old quarterback is in his second full offseason under coach Kyle Shanahan, leading an offense that added running back Tevin Coleman and wide receivers Deebo Samuel, Jalen Hurd (knee) and Jordan Matthews.