NFL Player News

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that Boutte is not in attendance for the team's voluntary offseason workout program, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.

Boutte has been linked to trade rumors due to the steady drumbeat of New England's interest in potentially acquiring A.J. Brown after June 1, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reports, as well as the team's decision to ink Romeo Doubs to a substantial four-year contract on the outset of free agency. A 2023 sixth-round pick, Boutte has now compiled back-to-back seasons with over 500 receiving yards, and he posted an impressive average catch distance of 16.7 yards (fifth in the NFL) in 2025.

Tremayne inked his exclusive-rights free-agent tender with Carolina on Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Tremayne will officially return to Carolina for at least another season after being tendered by the club in early March. The 26-year-old was a regular part of the offense for the first time as a pro last year, tallying 14 catches for 160 yards over 262 offensive snaps spanning 16 regular-season games. He also played regularly on special teams and likely will retain the same role as a depth wideout and special-teamer during the upcoming season.

Coker signed his exclusive-rights free-agent tender with the Panthers on Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Coker was tendered by Carolina in early March and made his return to the team official Monday. The 24-year-old posted a 33-394-3 receiving line over 11 regular-season contests last year, nearly replicating his stats from his rookie 2024 campaign. However, Coker exploded for a 9-134-1 line in the Panthers' wild-card round loss to the Rams, and he could take another step forward as one of QB Bryce Young's top targets during the upcoming campaign.

Smith signed his exclusive-rights tender with the Rams on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Smith signed a $1.075 million tender to remain with the Rams in 2026. The depth wide receiver is all set to suit up as a special teams player who also can provide offensive utility for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Smith hauled in 18 receptions for 303 yards over 16 regular-season contests in 2025, a significant improvement from his two receptions for six yards in the Rams' 2024 campaign.

Melton (knee) signed his exclusive-rights tender with the Packers on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Melton is set to receive $1.145 million in 2026 after playing 16 regular-season contests for the Packers in 2025. The wide receiver and special teams piece suffered a knee injury at the end of the 2025 regular season, but he's healthy and ready to go for the start of the 2026 offseason.

Remigio (knee) signed his exclusive-rights tender with the Chiefs on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Remigio missed the last two games of the 2025 regular season due to a knee injury. Now healthy, the kick and punt returner is set to run it back with the Chiefs for the 2026 regular season. Remigio played in 14 regular-season games in 2025, totaling 741 kick-return yards and 191 punt-return yards.

Nacua is participating in the start of the Rams' voluntary offseason workouts Monday, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Nacua checked into a rehab facility in March and now is back at team facilities and participating in strength and conditioning with teammates. The All-Pro wideout, who led the NFL with 129 receptions across his 17 regular-season appearances in 2025 while totaling a career-high 1,715 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. That makes the 24-year-old eligible for an extension, the likes of which could rival the four-year, $168.6 million deal fellow 2023 draftee Jaxon Smith-Njigba received from Seattle earlier this offseason, though Nacua's off-field circumstances may complicate negotiations, per the Los Angeles Times. A civil lawsuit was filed against Nacua in March, stemming from a Dec. 31, 2025 incident. Head coach Sean McVay said in late March that the team's "expectations" are that "this will be an opportunity for [Nacua] to learn and grow, and we are hopeful that he's a Ram for a really long time."

Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Monday that Pierce is facing roughly a three-month recovery timeframe after undergoing a "clean-up" ankle procedure, Noah Compton of SI.com reports.

Ballard noted that Pierce is expected to retake the field during training camp, which kicks off in late July, and that the team doesn't "expect any long-term implications" resulting from his ankle procedure. The only two regular-season games Pierce missed in 2025 were due to the NFL's concussion protocol, though he was briefly listed with an Achilles issue on the injury report in mid-December. Pierce re-signed with Indianapolis on a four-year, $116 million deal this offseason and faces a clearer path to targets after the team traded fellow WR Michael Pittman to Pittsburgh, though it still remains to be seen whether QB Daniel Jones (Achilles) -- who re-signed via a two-year extension in March -- will be ready to start Week 1.

The Patriots remain at the clear forefront in terms of trade talks for Brown, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Considering that a potential deal for Brown isn't likely to happen before June 1, Schefter notes that another team still could emerge as a contender to acquire the wideout, but for now the Patriots appear to be the favorite to land the 28-year-old. Added context regarding the chances of New England being Brown's landing spot will arrive in the coming days, via the team's approach to the WR position at the upcoming NFL Draft. Meanwhile, since the end of the 2025 regular season, the Eagles have bolstered their depth at wide receiver by adding Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks and Elijah Moore.

Branch was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Ga. on two possible misdemeanor charges, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Branch is facing misdemeanor charges of obstructing public sidewalks/streets -- prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. The former Georgia wide receiver is expected to be a Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.