NFL Player News

Polk (shoulder) isn't participating in full team drills during the Patriots' current organized team activities, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

That said, Lazar notes that Polk -- who is bouncing back from an offseason shoulder procedure -- has been running routes during team periods of practice with offensive assistant Riley Larkin, adding that the 2024 second-rounder appears to be going at full speed. Once Polk is cleared to absorb contact, he'll look to secure a role in a wideout corps that still includes DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker and has added Stefon Diggs (knee), Mack Hollins and rookie third-rounder Kyle Williams to the mix. However, after a disappointing rookie season in which he caught just 12 passes in 15 games, Polk has some ground to make up before he re-enters the fantasy radar in re-draft formats.

Rice (shoulder) was spotted participating in Wednesday's practice, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

The 23-year-old finished his 2024 campaign on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, but his participation in Wednesday's practice suggests he's moved past the issue. Rice appeared in three games during his rookie season, failing to tally any stats across 13 total snaps. Now fully healthy, Rice is expected to compete for a depth role in Los Angeles' wide receiver corps throughout the summer.

Kirk (collarbone) is participating in on-field positional drills at OTAs on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Kirk no longer looks hindered by the broken collarbone that ended his 2024 season in Jacksonville after just eight games. The Texans traded for Kirk in early March, then selected two rookies out of Iowa State -- Jayden Higgins (second round) and Jaylin Noel (third round) -- in the 2025 NFL Draft. Even with Tank Dell (knee) nursing a serious enough injury that he could miss most, or all, of the upcoming season, Higgins and Noel represent notable competition for targets behind No. 1 wideout Nico Collins. At 6-foot-4, 212 pounds with 4.47 speed, Higgins is a physical clone of Collins capable of joining him on the boundary, while Noel's smaller frame and 4.39 speed seemingly positions him to begin as a deep threat. That leaves Kirk with a clear path to dominate slot reps, with the catch being that Noel could eventually compete for such snaps, and Houston's other wideouts could emerge as higher-priority targets for C.J. Stroud.

Flowers (knee) is participating in on-field drills at OTAs on Wednesday.

Flowers missed both of Baltimore's playoff games last year due to a right knee sprain sustained during the team's regular-season finale against Cleveland, but he didn't require surgery to address the issue and now appears back to full health. He'll work to take another step forward as the leader of the Ravens' wide receiver corps entering Year 3, after having tallied a 74-1,059-4 receiving line (on 116 targets) across 17 regular-season appearances in 2024. Baltimore remains a run-heavy offense featuring QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry, leaving a smaller share of targets to be distributed between the 2023 first-round pick, Rashod Bateman and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, but Flowers' ability to create separation downfield and 4.42 speed make it possible for him to produce efficiently even without heavy volume.

Hardman (knee) participated during OTAs on Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Hardman finished the 2024 season on Kansas City's injured reserve list with a knee issue, but it doesn't seem to be hindering him anymore with offseason workouts now underway. Hardman will have to do everything he can to try to impress Green Bay's coaching staff, as he might not be a lock to make the final 53-man roster after the team added Matthew Golden and Savion Williams via the draft.

Burks (knee) practiced in a limited capacity during OTAs on Wednesday, John Glennon of NashvillePost.com reports.

It's an encouraging sign to see Burks working with the team as he heals from the ACL damage he incurred in Week 6 of the 2024 season. Per Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com, coach Brian Callahan said Wednesday that while Burks isn't fully back, he'll be involved in practice as he progresses in his recovery. Once he's fully healthy, Tennessee hopes Burks will be able to compete for targets that don't go to Calvin Ridley with veteran wideouts Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson, as well as rookies Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor.

Waddle was Miami's most impressive player at OTAs on Wednesday, Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald reports.

Waddle is coming off his worst season as a pro, having failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his NFL career with just a 58-744-2 receiving line (83 targets) across 15 regular-season games in 2024. As he works to bounce back entering his age-27 campaign, it's encouraging to see Waddle impressing early at practice with Tyreek Hill (wrist) sitting out most receiving drills. David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that Waddle put his speed on display Wednesday and torched Miami's defensive backs multiple times, though it's worth noting that Jalen Ramsey has not been present for voluntary practices. Waddle has fallen down fantasy draft boards significantly following his disappointing 2024 showing, but he could be in solid position to rebound if the Dolphins' offensive line can do a better job of keeping Tua Tagovailoa upright, and if coach Mike McDaniel's offense is able to return to its norm of manufacturing explosive plays in the intermediate and deep areas of the field rather than peppering De'Von Achane and Jonnu Smith with short targets.

Doubs (concussion) is participating in OTAs on Wednesday and was spotted getting in extra work with passing game coordinator Jason Vrabel during the special-teams period, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Doubs, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, has gained full clearance to participate in OTAs after he sustained a concussion during Green Bay's wild-card round loss to the Eagles in January. Jayden Reed (shoulder) and newcomer Mecole Hardman (knee) are also practicing Wednesday. Rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden and third-rounder Savion Williams represent additional notable additions to the Packers' wide receiver corps, which also returns Dontayvion Wicks and Christian Watson (ACL) in what looks like one of the league's most crowded units, though Watson's recovery could realistically sideline him until mid-season. Reed appears destined to dominate slot reps, and general manager Brian Gutekunst has talked him up as Green Bay's top wideout, while Golden's draft capital and playmaking ability give the team every incentive to find him a starting role. Doubs has proven himself as a jack-of-all-trades and a capable starter, but he's now entering a contract year facing tough competition for targets and snaps.

Jones (groin) participated during OTAs on Tuesday, Ryan Meyer of the Bengals' official site reports.

Jones missed Cincinnati's last regular-season game of the 2024 campaign due to a groin issue, but he seems to be back to full strength with offseason workouts underway. He was involved more as a returner last season than on offense, something that doesn't figure to change much in 2025 as long as Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins remain available.

Reed (shoulder) is participating in on-field positional drills at OTAs on Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Reed appears back to full health after having suffered a dislocated shoulder during Green Bay's 22-10 wild-card loss to the Eagles in January, an injury for which he didn't require surgery. The third-year pro has prioritized bulking up early in the offseason, with passing-game coordinator Jason Vrable saying in mid-May that Reed is currently 199 pounds after playing at 187 pounds in 2024. The Packers' selection of Matthew Golden in the first round of April's draft, plus Savion Williams in the third round, provides Jordan Love and the passing game the requisite tools to grow more dynamic in 2025, a development that could prove positive for Reed in Year 3 even if he faces increased target competition. Romeo Doubs (concussion) and newcomer Mecole Hardman (knee) are also practicing Wednesday.