NFL Player News

Robinson said Wednesday he's measured new career-high GPS speeds in practice and feels a "night-and-day" difference physically compared to last offseason, when he was rehabbing a serious knee injury, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Robinson had his 2022 rookie season cut short due to an ACL tear, and while he returned to play 15 regular-season games in 2023 en route to a 60-525-1 receiving line, it's reasonable to believe that his knee was still less than 100 percent. A truly healthy offseason should pave the road to Robinson taking a step forward Year 3, especially with the addition of rookie first-rounder Malik Nabers to attract more attention from opposing defenses. Still, questions remain about the passing game's overall effectiveness, especially with starting quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) now recovering from an ACL tear of his own. Darius Slayton (undisclosed) is also expected to start in three-wideout sets, with Jalin Hyatt, Allen Robinson Isaiah Hodgins and Isaiah McKenzie competing for depth reps.

Boutte turned in a strong effort during Wednesday's mandatory minicamp session, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

On the last day of minicamp practice prior to the Patriots' summer break, Boutte logged a team-high five catches during team drills, which Lazar notes included a sequence in which the 2023 sixth-round pick reeled in three consecutive scores. As the coming season approaches, Boutte will have to compete with the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor for slotting in a wideout corps that also includes Kendrick Bourne (knee) -- who is recovering from an ACL tear -- as well as likely roster locks in the youthful trio of DeMario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Additionally, it's possible that Boutte faces NFL discipline stemming from his January arrest and subsequent charges of computer fraud and gaming prohibited for persons under 21, which occurred during his time in college at LSU.

Chase has been a limited participant in minicamp this week, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Chase seems to be opting for a "hold-in" rather than a holdout, as he's shown up for mandatory minicamp but is participating only in walkthroughs and team meetings. The star wideout likely doesn't want to risk an injury while his agent is negotiating a contract extension, so it'll be interesting to see what approach he takes if he's unable to strike an agreement on a new deal before the start of training camp in late July. Fellow receiver Tee Higgins, meanwhile, is missing minicamp without accruing fines, as he still hasn't signed his franchise tag and technically isn't under contract.

Slayton (undisclosed) departed Tuesday's practice at mandatory minicamp early due to an apparent injury, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Slayton appeared to sustain an injury after colliding with a teammate, but he was able to walk off the field under his own power. The 27-year-old remains in position to handle a starting role for the Giants, though rookie phenom Malik Nabers is likely the clear No. 1, so the Giants' offense can ill afford to have Slayton miss any time. With tight end Darren Waller having now officially retired, New York is lacking for depth behind Nabers, Slayton and third-year pro Wan'Dale Robinson. If Slayton is sidelined, more reps will open up for Jalin Hyatt, Allen Robinson and Isaiah McKenzie.

Sutton said Tuesday he underwent ankle surgery earlier this offseason and was away from the team during OTAs as a result of his rehab, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Sutton added that he feels healthy for the beginning of June minicamp, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports. It was presumed that Sutton's absence during OTAs related mostly to ongoing talks on a contract extension, which he said Tuesday are still at a "stalemate." The wideout still has two years remaining on his deal with Denver, but with only $2 million in guarantees.

Shakir exited Tuesday's minicamp practice early due to an apparent lower-body issue, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Per Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo, Shakir chatted with trainers after suffering the injury and then limped off the field. He didn't return to the session and can be considered day-to-day. The 2022 fifth-rounder is the top returnee in a Buffalo WR corps that no longer includes Stefon Diggs or Gabe Davis, leaving Shakir to compete for snaps and targets with a group of newcomers that includes Curtis Samuel, rookie Keon Coleman, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chase Claypool and Mack Hollins.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that Jeudy (undisclosed) isn't practicing but is in the building and "working through some things," Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Jeudy appears to be dealing with a minor injury, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, though details remain undisclosed. It doesn't sound like Jeudy is in any danger of being less than a full go for training camp in late July, but there's a possibility he won't get back on the field before then. After being traded to Cleveland in March, he quickly agreed to a three-year extension with the team. Jeudy is positioned to work as the No. 2 wideout behind Amari Cooper, who is holding out from mandatory minicamp.

Coach Dave Canales said Tuesday that Legette (hamstring), who isn't participating in practice, is expected to be 100 percent for training camp, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Legette has been dealing with a hamstring injury since May, but it doesn't seem the issue will prevent him from handling full reps during training camp. Canales downplayed the severity of Legette's injury, per Joe Person of The Athletic, stating that if the Panthers were currently preparing for a game week the wideout would be practicing. Once healthy, Legette should have a clear path to earning a starting role alongside veteran receivers Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson.

Jets coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday that Williams (knee) has a similar rehab timeline to what Breece Hall had last season, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

The Jets kept Hall out of spring practices last year and activated him from the PUP list Aug. 15. He took just 33 snaps over the first two weeks of the regular season but ended up playing all 17 games and finishing second among running backs in PPR scoring. While Williams doesn't have that kind of fantasy upside, it sounds like he's on a similar timeline while recovering from the same injury, an ACL tear, with the Jets likely to hold him out from the start of training camp even if they feel he's on track to be ready for Week 1. He hasn't participated in any offseason practices thus far and has been limited to side work as he rehabs the knee injury he suffered in Week 3 of last season with the Chargers.

Cooper isn't present Tuesday for the start of mandatory minicamp, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Cooper is in the final year of his contract and presumably wants an extension. The Browns can fine him while he's absent, and it's possible this stretches into training camp if the wideout doesn't have a new contract by late July. Cooper had career highs for receiving yards (1,250) and yards per catch (17.4) last season, buoyed by a 25-485-3 receiving line in the four games he played with Joe Flacco as Cleveland's starting QB. Cooper also did well with Deshaun Watson, reaching 90 yards in four of the six full games Watson played, whereas Cleveland's other main pass catchers -- namely TE David Njoku and WR Elijah Moore -- struggled to get anything going with the supposed franchise QB. The Browns added Jerry Jeudy this offseason, likely pushing Moore back to the No. 3 role and giving Cooper more competition for targets.