NFL Player News

Kirk (groin) said Monday that he feels back to full health and looks forward to leading Jacksonville's revamped wide receiver room in 2024, Shaaz Peerani of WJXX ABC 25 Jacksonville reports.

Kirk missed the final five games of the 2023 season due to a groin issue, but he said that he's now healthy and "ready to wake some people back up and remind them of the type of player I am." The 27-year-old is now the most experienced starter in the Jaguars' wideout corps, with Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones having been replaced by Gabe Davis and rookie first-round pick Brian Thomas. Kirk praised Thomas and second-year pro Parker Washington, but the 27-year-old is the favorite to re-emerge as Trevor Lawrence's most trusted target, with tight end Evan Engram also primed to occupy a key role in the passing game.

Aiyuk remains away from team facilities for OTAs as he continues to negotiate for a contract extension, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Aiyuk wasn't present at San Francisco's facility for offseason activities back in April, so it's unsurprising to see him still absent for voluntary OTAs. The wideout hasn't indicated, however, that he'll consider an extended holdout if contract talks remain at a standstill when mandatory minicamp kicks off. Aiyuk is currently slated to play out the 2024 season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, which would pay him $14.12 million, while recent contracts for the top players at his position have landed in the range of $30 million annually. The 49ers selected Ricky Pearsall in the first round of April's draft and have Jauan Jennings returning behind top wideout Deebo Samuel, giving the team some additional leverage in negotiations.

Ezukanma (neck) participated in OTAs on Tuesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Ezukanma played in just two games at the beginning of 2023 before being placed on the reserve/non-football injury list in September due to a neck injury. He was cleared of his injury before the end of last season, and he admitted to reporters Tuesday that he had been concerned that he would not be able to play again, per Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post. Ezukanma has appeared in three regular-season games since the Dolphins drafted him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he will battle for a spot on Miami's wide receiver depth chart in 2024.

Jackson (ankle) practiced Tuesday.

Jackson worked as the Titans' punt returner last season before he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 against the Chargers. Now healthy, he'll likely be competing with 2024 sixth-round selection Jha'Quan Jackson for that role.

Landers signed a contract with the Browns on Tuesday.

Landers joined the Seahawks as a UDFA out of Arkansas last spring and spent time on their practice squad, as well as on Carolina's after Seattle cut him. He'll get a new opportunity with Cleveland ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Williams (knee) has not yet been cleared for football activities and is working on a side field at OTAs on Tuesday, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Williams went down to a left ACL tear in Week 3 last season while with the Chargers, so he was never a likely candidate to be ready for OTAs. The start of training camp in July could represent a better target for Williams, though the Jets haven't offered an official estimate for his return timeline. On the plus side, Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) is participating in OTAs without any setbacks, so Williams will be able to start building chemistry with his new quarterback as soon as he gains clearance. The big-bodied 29-year-old will complement top wideout Garrett Wilson as the No. 2 option for New York once healthy.

Dell (leg) is on the field for the start of OTAs on Tuesday with no apparent limitations, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The wideout sustained a left leg wound as an innocent bystander during a shooting in late April, but Dell's already back on the practice field and running routes and seems to be an unrestricted participant to begin OTAs. The 2023 third-rounder has already recovered from the fibula injury he suffered last December, and he rejoins a wide receiver room that added Stefon Diggs as a trade acquisition and returns Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Noah Brown (shoulder) and John Metchie.

Higgins is not expected to sign his franchise tender by the end of the week, which will make him ineligible to report in time for the start of OTAs next week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Higgins formally requested a trade from Cincinnati after the team placed the franchise tag on him prior to free agency. He appeared to have a change of heart in April, as the wideout hinted that he anticipated playing for the Bengals in 2024 at his youth camp, per Ben Baby of ESPN.com. It remains to be seen if that will occur via the franchise tag or the long-term extension the pass catcher has been seeking. As of now, it looks like this conflict will linger into OTAs.

Parker announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Two months after signing a one-year contract with the Eagles, Parker has had a change of heart on a 10th season in the league. The 31-year-old cited spending more time with his family as the primary factor in his decision. He spent his first seven seasons in Miami before playing the previous two in New England. The Louisville product's most productive season came in 2019, as he tallied 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns on 72 receptions for the Dophins. He was projected to compete for a role behind A.J. Brown (knee) and DeVonta Smith at wide receiver in the upcoming season.

Ismail signed with the Ravens on Monday, Matt Ryan of the team's official site reports.

The son of former Baltimore receiver Qadry Ismail, Qadir made it through the team's recent rookie minicamp. The younger Ismail caught 16 passes for 156 yards during his final two collegiate seasons at Samford.