NFL Player News

Saints coach Dennis Allen doesn't expect Thomas (ankle) to participate in June minicamp, Rod Walker of the Times-Picayune reports.

The Saints still hope to have the two-time NFL receptions leader available at some point, but it won't happen during the offseason program. While he's been spotted at the team facility, Thomas still hasn't practiced or played since 2020, and he ended up needing another surgery on his problematic ankle after experiencing a setback in October or November. The Saints haven't commented on expectations for training camp.

Meyers (undisclosed) said Thursday that his minicamp participation has been limited by "pretty much normal bumps and bruises," Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal reports.

With no serious injury to report, Meyers should be fine for training camp at the end of July. He'll have more competition for targets this year after the Patriots traded for WR DeVante Parker, but the impact of any lost volume could be offset by improved efficiency, especially if QB Mac Jones takes a big step forward in his second NFL season. Meyers seems to expect as much, responding "Capital YES," when reporters asked him Thursday if he sees Jones taking ownership of the New England offense, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. "We're all trying to catch up to what's in his mind, his vision," Meyers said of the 23-year-old Jones.

Coach Dan Campbell (knee) said Thursday "I don't see" Williams (knee) being ready for the start of training camp, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

Campbell said he's "very hopeful" about Williams, but that he doesn't expect the rookie first-round pick to be ready for the start of training camp. Still, that leaves a potential window for Williams to return to the field at some point in camp, and the idea of him suiting up at some point during the first months of the regular season has been floated previously. Williams is coming off a left ACL tear suffered back in January, and when ready for game action, he stands to join Amon-Ra St. Brown and DJ Chark atop Detroit's wide receiver depth chart.

Quarterback Tom Brady said Thursday that Gage will play a "very important" role in Tampa Bay's offense, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Gage inked a three-year, $30 million dollar with the Buccaneers early on in free agency, and Brady is now talking up his involvement on "a pass-heavy offense," which seems indicative that the two have already established some chemistry. While Chris Godwin (knee) works his way back from a Week 15 ACL tear Gage stands to operate as the No. 2 wideout behind Mike Evans, a role which could certainly involve significant and high-value targets from Brady, especially if Godwin is unavailable for the early portion of the season.

Kupp agreed Wednesday with the Rams on a three-year, $80 million contract extension, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The 28-year-old was already under contract for the next two seasons for more than $29 million, and he's now set to receive nearly $110 million from the Rams over the next five years. Kupp was the most productive wide receiver in the NFL in 2021, catching 145 of 191 targets for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns in 17 games. He'll now get paid like one of the top receivers in the league.

Meyers was limited during Wednesday's minicamp practice due to an undisclosed injury, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Meyers was one of a handful of offensive weapons who were limited, but the severity of their injuries remains unknown. The undrafted wideout out of NC State led New England with 83 receptions, 126 targets and 866 yards last season, so the Patriots will likely be extremely cautious with Mac Jones' favorite target.

Washington head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday he expects McLaurin to participate in next week's mandatory minicamp, Pete Hailey of NBC Sports Washington reports.

McLaurin has remained away from voluntary OTAs while attempting to negotiate a new contract with the Commanders. The 2019 third-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and he's once again facing the task of establishing chemistry with a new quarterback, this time former Eagles and Colts signal-caller Carson Wentz. Thus far in his career, McLaurin has averaged 74 catches for 1,030 yards and 5.3 touchdowns per season. In McLaurin's absence, rookie first-round pick Jahan Dotson has reportedly made strides in establishing a rapport with Wentz.

Dotson has been a standout at OTAs and is already establishing trust with quarterback Carson Wentz, Bijan Todd of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Dotson has consistently gotten open and become one of Wentz's favorite targets at OTAs, according to Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports. Granted, the Commanders are still only holding non-contact drills, but it's encouraging to see the rookie first-round pick making a solid first impression. Top wideout Terry McLaurin hasn't been participating in offseason activities due to dissatisfaction with his current deal, so Dotson will have plenty of opportunities to continue establishing a rapport with Wentz.

Williams (knee) isn't practicing during Tuesday's mandatory minicamp, Jeremy Reisman of SB Nation reports.

This isn't surprising given that the 2022 first-round pick tore his ACL during the National Championship Game in January. Williams will be roughly eight months removed from the injury when the NFL regular season kicks off and has already targeted training camp as a potential return date. However, the Lions are expected to be extremely cautious with him, so while there's optimism Williams will be available Week 1, he may not make an impact right away.

Osborn didn't practice during Tuesday's mandatory minicamp due to an undisclosed injury, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The severity of Osborn's injury is unclear, but he joined fellow wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette (leg) as a non-participant Tuesday. Despite their offseason injuries, Osborn and Smith Marsette are slated to be the top two receivers behind Minnesota's dynamic duo of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.