NFL Player News

Gipson is expected to have competition as New York's primary return specialist heading into the 2024 season, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Gipson operated as the Jets' kick returner and punt returner for the entirety of the 2023 season, but with the team signing running back Tarik Cohen on Wednesday, Gipson may not be a shoo-in for the role again in 2024. Head coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday that Gipson will get "first dibs," but the returning job is an "open competition."

The Buccaneers waived Thompkins (undisclosed) with an injury designation Thursday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Thompkins was re-signed to a one-year deal with Tampa Bay in March after appearing in all 17 of its regular-season contests and two postseason games in 2023, but he's now dealing with an apparent injury that could sideline him for the season. If the wide receiver clears waivers, he'll likely revert to the Buccaneers' injured reserve ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Baltimore officially listed Cunningham as a wide receiver during OTAs, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Cunningham has gotten reps at wide receiver since the Ravens brought him on board back in December, and his transition to the new position (from quarterback) is now officially complete. He's part of a relatively thin wide receiver room, so he could very well find his way onto Baltimore's final 2024 roster if he impresses during training camp.

Odunze (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Odunze was featured in a video from practice catching a contested pass from rookie QB Caleb Williams. With the hamstring tightness behind him, the No. 9 overall pick will continue to build chemistry with Williams while working as the No. 3 receiver for now behind DJ Moore and Keenan Allen.

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.