NFL Player News

Jones (Achilles) is present at OTAs on Wednesday and is throwing to teammates on individual routes, Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star reports.

Jones continues to progress in his recovery from a torn right Achilles suffered early last December, and it's encouraging to see him already handling individual dropbacks and passing drills at OTAs. While Indianapolis has yet to provide an expected timetable for Jones' return to team drills, after OTAs conclude his next chances to ramp up his activity level will arrive during mandatory minicamp from June 9-11, and then during training camp in July. In Jones' stead on Wednesday, Anthony Richardson started first-team reps for the Colts' offense, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports. After signing a two-year, $88 million contract extension in March, Jones is locked in as Indianapolis' starting QB when 100 percent healthy. In April, GM Chris Ballard expressed optimism that Jones could be ready for Week 1, and for his part the 29-year-old signal caller "absolutely" expects to be available at that time, per James Boyd of The Athletic.

Daniels (elbow) is participating in OTAs this week, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

Daniels' 2025 campaign was filled with injuries, and he missed the final four weeks of the regular season with an elbow injury that he originally suffered in Week 9 against the Seahawks. He returned for Week 14 against Minnesota but aggravated the injury and was shut down for the remainder of the campaign. In total, Daniels made just seven starts last season, completing 60.6 percent of his 188 pass attempts for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran 58 times for 278 yards and a pair of scores. Daniels will be learning a new offense this summer after Washington hired OC David Blough to replace Kliff Kingsbury.

Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Penix (ACL) has not yet been cleared for 11-on-11 drills at OTAs, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Penix took part in non-contact 7-on-7 drills and individual work during OTAs in mid-May, but he's not yet ready to ramp up his participation level to 11-on-11 activities. In the meantime, the full allotment of such reps will go the way of Tua Tagovailoa. Once Penix is fully recovered from the surgery he underwent in mid-November of the 2025 season to repair a partially torn left ACL, however, he and Tagovailoa will be slated to compete for No. 1 reps. Stefanski declined to offer a specific assessment of Penix's rehab progress to date, per Raimondi, though he said the 2024 first-round pick is doing "outstanding" and is "exactly where he needs to be" despite not yet being "100 percent."

Jones agreed to terms Wednesday on a contract restructure with the 49ers that adds a $300,000 roster bonus for 2026, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Jones' contract for 2026 now stands at $3.55 million with another $2.25 million in incentives, a justified increase in salary after he went 5-3 as a starter in Brock Purdy's stead last year while completing 69.6 percent of his passes with an average attempt distance of 7.4 YPA, both career-high marks. After the 2026 campaign, Jones will be positioned for free agency. Jones has proven an ability to thrive in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense and stands as one of the top insurance options in fantasy formats that allow multiple starting QBs.

Brissett didn't report to Arizona's OTAs on Tuesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Brissett remained away from the team after already missing all of last week, which was the first week of the Cardinals' OTAs. The veteran quarterback is holding out in the hope of securing a restructured contract, as his current deal is worth a maximum of only $5.39 million, with just $1.5 million guaranteed. Per Weinfuss, Arizona has informed Brissett that he is the team's starting quarterback, though he'll obviously need to eventually join the team in order to accept that role.

Mahomes (knee) participated in Kansas City's opening OTA practice Tuesday, Nate Taylor of ESPN reports.

While the extent of his participation wasn't revealed, a video was posted on social media of the QB making a throw on the field while sporting a brace on his left knee. Mahomes is bouncing back from December surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL, and his participation in Tuesday's session, in any capacity, is encouraging. The two-time MVP's stated goal is to be ready for Week 1 action, and in recent weeks Kansas City has expressed optimism that Mahomes will be in uniform Sept. 14 against the Broncos.

Jackson is present Tuesday for the second week of voluntary OTAs, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Jackson missed the first week of voluntary OTAs, but he was at the team facility for part of April to get his playbook and start the offensive install under new coordinator/playcaller Declan Doyle. Head coach Jesse Minter downplayed any concerns about Jackson missing the three OTA sessions last week, telling reporters that the QB "had a couple things going on" and "has been one of our leaders of the offseason program," per Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com.

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.

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.

Stafford and the Rams agreed on a one-year, $55 million contract extension Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Stafford was set to enter the 2026 campaign in the final year of his two-year, $84 million contract that he signed with Los Angeles ahead of the 2025 season, but he now will be under contract through 2027. The 38-year-old is coming off of an MVP campaign in which he compiled 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns while completing 65 percent of his passes over 17 regular-season contests. His new deal is worth up to $60 million dollars, so Stafford could earn up to $105 million over the next two seasons. The Rams drafted the quarterback's successor in Ty Simpson 13th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Simpson may get a chance to sit behind Stafford for multiple years.