NFL Player News

As the coming season approaches, Austin is in line to compete with several newcomers for depth chart slotting behind top wideout George Pickens, Chris Ward of Steelersnow.com reports.

In the wake of the offseason departures of Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson, the Steelers added Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Scott Miller via free agency and used a third-round draft pick on Roman Wilson. Austin, who was taken in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, is coming off a 2023 regular season in which he caught 17 of his 30 targets for 180 yards and a TD while rushing 11 times for 57 yards and a TD in 17 games. In his third season as a pro, the speedy 5-foot-9, 162-pounder has an opportunity to carve out an increased role in Pittsburgh's offense under new coordinator Arthur Smith.

Waddle signed a three-year, $84.75 million contract extension with the Dolphins on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The deal includes $76 million guaranteed.

Waddle is now one of the top five highest-paid receivers in the NFL with an annual salary of $28.25 million. The 2021 first-round pick has been dominant since entering the league, ripping off three straight seasons with 1,000-plus yards, including a 2022 campaign where he produced 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns across 17 regular-season games. The 25-year-old battled injuries last season but is fully healthy ahead of the 2024 campaign. Waddle is still the clear No. 2 receiver behind Tyreek Hill, but there's clearly room for both players to produce as the fastest receiving duo in the league.

The Steelers signed Gathings to a one-year contract Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Gathings spent time on the Chiefs' practice squad last season and signed a reserve/future deal with Kansas City in February before being cut May 4. The 23-year-old out of Middle Tennessee joins a deep Pittsburgh tight end corps that is headed by Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward, though that group was relatively unproductive last season.

Jennings and the 49ers agreed Wednesday on a two-year deal worth up to $15.4 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Niners gave Jennings a second-round restricted free agent tender in March. Given that it was unlikely any team would give up a pick that early for the right to pay Jennings a considerable contract, a trade was the only other viable option. Both parties were able to avoid that situation with this new deal, which is akin to a one-year extension that keeps him with San Francisco through the 2025 season. Jennings will be back to fill the No. 3 wide receiver role behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk during the upcoming campaign.

Legette missed practice Wednesday, with head coach Dave Canales noting afterward that the rookie "looked tight" the day before, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The 32nd overall pick appears to be dealing with a minor muscular injury in his lower body. Assuming he doesn't miss too much time, Legette is in good position to earn plenty of snaps as a rookie within a Carolina offense that's badly in need of a downfield target to complement veteran possession receivers Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson. The Panthers didn't get much from 2023 second-round pick Jonathan Mingo last season, but they went back to the well for a physically similar player this April, hoping Legette's 4.39-second 40-yard dash time in a 223-pound frame will translate to the NFL in a hurry.

Corley left Wednesday's practice early with an undisclosed lower-body injury and returned without a helmet, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

Hughes notes that Corley walked with a limp after the incident, giving another hint that the rookie won't return to practice Wednesday. The injury doesn't sound especially serious, as a player typically would stay inside rather than joining his teammates to watch the rest of practice if there were concern about a major health issue. With Mike Williams (knee) unavailable for offseason practices, the Jets seem to have a wide-open depth chart at receiver behind No. 1 option Garrett Wilson. Coming in as a third-round pick, Corley should get some first-team reps and may eventually win a role as the team's No. 3 receiver behind Wilson and Williams. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers apparently is a fan, having recently said that Corley was his favorite wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.

Head coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday that Williams (knee) doesn't have a timeline to return to practice, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

Williams has been at the Jets' team facility for their offseason program, mostly working indoors with the training staff. He was spotted on a side field last week, but the 29-year-old still isn't expected to practice with teammates any earlier than training camp. Williams profiles as the Jets' No. 2 receiver once he makes it back from the left ACL tear he suffered Week 3 last season with the Chargers. His one-year, $10 million contract reportedly includes $8.3 million guaranteed, with an additional $5 million available via incentives, per Albert Breer of SI.com.

Collins agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year, $72.75 million contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Collins is coming off a breakout 2023 season in which he piled up a 80-1,297-8 receiving line on 109 targets (15 games), and even with Stefon Diggs in town on a one-year deal, Collins represents the future for Houston's wide receiver corps, as does second-year pro Tank Dell. While the addition of Diggs crowds the Texans' target distribution, as does the presence of capable pass-catching options like Joe Mixon in the backfield and tight end Dalton Schultz, this significant monetary commitment to Collins provides a bit of extra incentive for offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik to allow Collins and C.J. Stroud to feature the chemistry they demonstrated last season. If Stroud and the Texans can build off 2023 and hit the ground running, Collins should find himself as a frontman in one of the league's elite passing offenses.

Higgins and teammate Ja'Marr Chase are not present at voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, Ben Baby of ESPN reports.

Higgins still hasn't signed the franchise tag Cincinnati placed on him back in February, and with Chase also eligible for an extension, both of the Bengals' top wideouts appear to be vying for new deals. Until Higgins signs the franchise tag, he won't be eligible to report for organized team activities. He formally requested a trade after having the franchise tag placed on him but has since indicated he anticipates suiting up for the Bengals for the 2024 season, and coach Zac Taylor plainly stated that he's not worried about the absence of either Higgins or Chase at this time.

Chase and teammate Tee Higgins are not present for voluntary OTAs on Tuesday as they continue to negotiate potential contract extensions, Ben Baby of ESPN reports.

Chase hasn't yet participated in voluntary workouts for Cincinnati this offseason, and he's now eligible for a contract extension. The Bengals picked up his fifth-year option. Higgins, meanwhile, has yet to sign his franchise tender after Cincinnati placed the one-year tag on him back in February. Coach Zac Taylor stated that he's not worried about the absence of either wideout, saying "they'll be ready and focused when it's time to come back." For now, though, Joe Burrow (wrist) will be taking reps without either of his top receivers present.