NFL Player News

Campbell (foot) is 100 percent healthy and has been running routes since March or April, Andrew Walker of Colts.com reports.

The 2019 second-round pick had terrible luck as a rookie, suffering a sports hernia, a broken hand, a fractured foot and a hamstring injury. He somehow managed to play seven games in between, putting up an 18-127-1 receiving line on 196 offensive snaps. The Colts expect Campbell to handle a much bigger role in Year 2, with coach Frank Reich specifically mentioning the slot as a place where the soon-to-be 23-year-old should thrive. T.Y. Hilton and rookie second-round pick Michael Pittman also are capable of working inside, while Campbell has the size/speed profile to function as an outside receiver if need be. Reich will have plenty of options as he decides how to deploy his wide receivers for new quarterback Philip Rivers.

Moore is one of the few key holdovers from 2019 for a Panthers team that underwent huge changes in the offseason, ESPN.com's David Newton reports.

The new faces include coach Matt Rhule, OC Joe Brady, QB Teddy Bridgewater and WR Robby Anderson, while the crucial departures on offense were TE Greg Olsen, WR Jarius Wright and QBs Kyle Allen and Cam Newton. The switch from Allen to Bridgewater could prove especially fruitful for Moore, who largely made a living on short and intermediate throws during a breakout 2019 campaign. The 23-year-old wideout missed the majority of Week 16 and all of Week 17 due to a concussion, but he previously had been on pace for 98 catches and 1,342 receiving yards. With plenty of time to recover this offseason, Moore should be ready to go whenever the Panthers are able to practice.

Ridley (abdomen) has been working out with Matt Ryan, who believes the young wideout "could explode" in his third pro season, AL.com's Mark Inabinett reports. "He's a guy I think could explode going into a year like this," Ryan said. "He's in phenomenal shape, he's been running great and I think his grasp of the offense and his mastery of our system is so much further along than it was last year."

Ridley missed the final three games of last season with an abdominal injury, but the estimated recovery timeline of only 3-to-4 weeks allowed for a healthy offseason. He piled up 395 yards and three TDs in his final four appearances last year, potentially setting the stage for a 2020 breakout. Ryan seems to be on board with the idea, noting that Ridley should benefit from his recent on-field workouts with the veteran quarterback and other teammates. Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter also expects Ridley to improve in Year 3, mentioning route running as a potential area for continued growth.

Jefferson is expected to be a Week 1 starter, Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune reports.

The 22nd overall pick landed in a run-first offense that likes to use multi-TE formations, but the upside is that he'll face soft competition for WR snaps behind Adam Thielen. While offseason addition Tajae Sharpe may technically compete for a starting job, Jefferson is a clear favorite to emerge as Minnesota's No. 2 receiver. The rookie largely worked from the slot at LSU, but with 4.43 speed in a 6-foot-1, 202-pound frame, he has the necessary physical tools to succeed outside. It's unclear if Jefferson or Thielen will get most of the slot routes.

James is recovering from a broken bone in his wrist, with the expectation of being sidelined for at least two months, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

With Deebo Samuel recovering from foot surgery and both Trent Taylor (foot) and Travis Benjamin (quad) looking to rebound from season-ending injuries last year, the 49ers suddenly have depth issues at what previously appeared to be a deep position. James played all 16 regular-season games in 2019, returning 33 punts for 264 yards and 20 kickoffs for 428 yards and adding a 9-165-1 receiving line on 204 offensive snaps. Any absence could create an opening for Benjamin, Dante Pettis or D.J. Reed to get more work on returns.

With Deebo Samuel recovering from foot surgery, the 49ers may need to give Aiyuk a bigger role than initially planned early in the season, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Aiyuk and Samuel both are known for their prowess picking up yards after the catch, a trait that's especially valuable in Kyle Shanahan's horizontally oriented offense. The rookie first-round pick already had a decent shot to earn a starting job before the Samuel injury, as he was supposed to compete for snaps with the likes of Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor, Jalen Hurd and Dante Pettis. While Samuel expects to complete his rehab process in approximately 10 weeks, other reports put the estimate anywhere between two and four months. Meanwhile, Aiyuk has been medically cleared from the core muscle surgery he had in early April, presumably leaving him ready for full participation whenever the 49ers are able to practice.

Samuel underwent a procedure Thursday to address the Jones fracture in his left foot, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Samuel sustained the injury earlier this week while training with teammates. The 24-year-old has now already undergone the required surgery, which reportedly "went perfect." Reports on the sophomore's recovery timetable have been scattered, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggesting a "return within 12-16 weeks," Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reporting that Samuel could be ready to kick off the regular season, and Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area indicating that the dynamic wideout should retake the field in just 10 weeks. In any case, already having undergone a successful procedure will allow Samuel to begin his rehab process as early as possible.

Johnson signed his rookie contract with the Jaguars on Thursday, John Oehser of the team's official site reports.

A rookie fifth-round pick, Johnson's lanky frame (6-foot-6, 222 pounds) immediately sets him apart in Jacksonville's receiver room. Coming off a productive four years at Texas, in which he showed uncommon finesse for a wideout of his size, Johnson could be utilized as unique a depth weapon as a rookie if he's able to adjust to the NFL's level of physicality. The 22-year-old could even possess limited upside in the red zone.

The 49ers revealed Thursday that Samuel suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot while training with teammates earlier this week, ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports.

Per the report, Samuel's injury -- which will require surgical repair -- entails "a break between the base and the middle part of the fifth metatarsal of the foot." While Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously suggested that Samuel "should return within 12-16 weeks," a timetable that would presumably result in missed regular-season action for the wideout, ESPN's Adam Schefter offers the more optimistic take that Samuel is expected to be available for Week 1 action. Supporting that notion is that Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area relays that Samuel believes he'll be back in 10 weeks.

Samuel suffered a broken foot Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Samuel picked up the injury during a throwing session in Nashville. According to Rapoport, Samuel underwent surgery with noted Dr. Robert Anderson and is expected to be healthy in 12-16 weeks. With such a timetable, he won't be available Week 1, but a midseason appearance seems likely.