NFL Player News

Dell (fibula) noted earlier this month that he expects to join his teammates when the Texans take the field for OTAs this spring, Aaron Wilson, KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Per the report, Dell, who is reportedly making a speedy recovery from a broken fibula he sustained Dec. 3 against the Broncos, is expected to be a full participant in the Texans' offseason conditioning program. Beyond that, the 2023 third-rounder indicates he hopes to "hit the ground running" once Houston's OTAs commence this spring. At that stage, however, it remains to be seen how close to 100 percent Dell will be, but barring any setbacks, the 24-year-old wide receiver should be good to go ahead of Week 1, at which point he'll profile as one of QB C.J. Stroud's primary passing targets this coming season.

Dell (lower leg) expects to return to the field when the Texans hold their first Organized Team Activities this spring, Michael Shapiro of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Prior to suffering a season-ending fibula injury in Week 13 last season, Dell recorded 47 catches on 75 targets for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games, including three 100-yard performances. Looking ahead, the 2023 third-rounder -- whose recovery is reportedly on track -- is poised to reclaim a key role alongside fellow WR Nico Collins in Houston's C.J. Stroud-helmed passing offense.

The Buccaneers may release Gage (knee) before he's due a $1.5 million roster bonus March 1, Dan Pompei of The Athletic reports.

Gage also has a non-guaranteed $8.5 million base salary for the third and final year of his contract, though the use of void years means the Buccaneers will free up only $6.5 million in 2024 cap space if he's released. The 28-year-old suffered a torn patellar tendon in August, putting his NFL future in jeopardy. Gage might consider renegotiating his contract to stay in Tampa Bay and continue his rehab with the Buccaneers.

The Steelers will add $10 million in 2024 cap space if Robinson is released this offseason, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

Robinson has one year remaining on his contract but was always a long shot to actually see the money. That's especially true after he somehow managed to produce just 280 receiving yards and no TDs despite starting all 17 games in 2023 and playing 72 percent of Pittsburgh's snaps on offense. If Robinson does stick around, it'll be with a renegotiated contract that puts him much closer to the veteran's minimum than to his currently scheduled salary of $10 million. Even in that scenario, he's unlikely to be assured of a top-three role under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

The Raiders can add $11.8 million in 2024 cap space if they release Renfrow with a post-June 1 designation, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Renfrow has just one season left on his contract, but the use of void years means dead-cap charges for 2025 and 2026 will accelerate onto the 2024 sheet if he's traded before June 1 or released without the aforementioned designation. Either way, the Raiders would avoid paying him an $11.53 million base salary, $100,000 workout bonus and up to $629,000 in per-game roster bonuses. It's an obvious move given his lack of production the past two seasons, though there is a scenario in which Renfrow stays in Las Vegas via a renegotiation or extension that drastically lowers his compensation. He's highly unlikely to have a trade market under the terms of the current contract.

Kansas City may release Valdes-Scantling this offseason, a move that would clear up $12 million in cap space, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic.

It's a no-brainer move barring a renegotiated contract, despite Valdes-Scantling's contributions in the playoffs the past two seasons. He's won two rings since signing a three-year, $30 million contract with the team in March 2022, but he caught only 21 passes for 315 yards and one touchdown in 16 games during the 2023 regular season. Valdes-Scantling will turn 30 years old next October and has never reached 700 yards in a season despite taking nearly all of his NFL snaps with either Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers under center.

Patrick (Achilles) is a strong candidate to be released this offseason, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

Patrick has twice suffered season-ending injuries in training camp since signing a three-year, $30 million contract in Nov. 2021. He's now entering the final year of the deal and the 30-year-old has a non-guaranteed $9.5 million base salary for 2024. It is possible Patrick accepts a pay cut to stay in Denver and attempt his return from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in August.

Gallup may be released this offseason, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.

The last time we saw Gallup in uniform he caught six passes for 103 yards in a wild-card loss to the Packers. It was his first 100-yard game since Nov. 2021, six weeks before he suffered a career-altering ACL tear. Gallup has three seasons remaining on the five-year, $57.5 million extension he signed a few months after suffering the injury, but none of the remaining money is guaranteed. The Cowboys can free up $9.5 million in 2024 cap space if Gallup is designated as a post-June 1 release, while cutting him without the designation would free up just $800,000 but keep him off the books for 2025. He'll probably need to accept a pay cut if he wants to stay in Dallas

Slater announced Tuesday that he has retired from professional football.

Slater, 38, is calling it a career after 16 seasons in the NFL, all of which were spent with New England as a core contributor on the Patriots' special-teams units. The 2008 fifth-round pick retires with three Super Bowl rings, five first-team All-Pro nods, and 10 Pro Bowl honors under his belt. Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick recently referred to Slater as the best special-teams player in NFL history, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, saying he was glad to have coached the greatest players in all three phases of the game, the others being Tom Brady on offense and Lawrence Taylor on defense.

Bateman finished the 2023 regular season season with 32 catches for 367 yards and one touchdown on 56 targets over 16 games.

The bright spot for Bateman was that he was able to stay healthy for most of the season, with the 16 games being a career high. Other than that, it was a down season for the 2021 first-round pick. He caught just 57 percent of his targets and had a 7.1 percent drop rate. Bateman was also not a threat after the catch with an average of 2.1 YAC per reception. Quarterback Lamar Jackson averaged 8.0 yards per attempt but Bateman averaged just 6.6 yards per target. The wideout saw the second-most snaps on the team among receivers, but he just wasn't able to draw much volume or convert those targets efficiently. Bateman now enters the final year of his rookie contract with significant pressure to produce. The Ravens could look to add a receiver in what is widely considered to be a strong group in the 2024 draft.