NFL Player News

The Cardinals signed Palmer to a reserve/future contract Monday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Palmer failed to make the Cardinals' active roster in late August, but he spent his 2024 campaign on the practice squad and will remain in Arizona after inking a reserve/future contract Monday. The 2024 sixth-round pick from UAB has yet to appear in an NFL game, but he's expected to have the opportunity to compete for a depth spot in the Cardinals' wide-receiver room throughout the offseason.

The Cardinals signed Baccellia to a reserve/future contract Monday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The 28-year-old spent his 2024 campaign with the Cardinals' practice squad after failing to make the team's active roster in late August. Baccellia most recently appeared in a regular-season game with the Cardinals in 2023, tallying 22 kick-return yards while playing 64 total snaps (46 offensive and 18 on special teams). He's expected to compete for a depth role in Arizona's wide-receiver corps throughout the offseason.

Legette caught three of his five targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons.

Legette was limited while playing through wrist and hip injuries in Sunday's game, finishing fourth among Panthers wide receivers in offensive snaps played (28). Despite the limited playing time, the 2024 first-round pick from South Carolina was somewhat productive, recording 30 or more receiving yards for the 10th time in his rookie campaign. With the Panthers out of playoff contention, Legette concluded his first pro season with 49 receptions for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games, ranking seventh in receiving yards among rookies in Carolina's history.

Atwell secured five of eight targets for 37 yards during Sunday's 30-25 loss to the Seahawks.

The impending unrestricted free agent's role on offense picked up considerably with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp earning the day off, but Atwell wasn't able to do much with his sudden bevy of targets. Taking out a 22-yard catch in the first quarter, Atwell's other four catches combined for just 15 yards, while Jordan Whittington and Demarcus Robinson combined for 158 yards on their six catches. During the 2024 regular season, Atwell recorded 42 catches for 562 yards, both career highs, but failed to record a touchdown for the first time since his rookie campaign. Heading into a wild-card weekend showdown with the Vikings, Atwell is likely to move back to his minimal role on offense.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that Watson is done for the year due to a torn right ACL, Lily Zhao of Fox 6 News reports.

Watson will miss the entirety of Green Bay's postseason, which will kick off Sunday on the road against the Eagles in a wild-card round matchup. The 2022 second-round pick also may be in significant danger of missing time during the 2025 campaign due to the timing of his right knee injury. With Watson officially unavailable for the playoffs, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs (illness) and Dontayvion Wicks will be the regulars in three-wide sets for Jordan Love (hand), if the quarterback gains clearance to play. Bo Melton and Malik Heath also are positioned to take on expanded depth roles.

Jennings finished with seven receptions on 10 targets for 52 yards in Sunday's 47-24 loss to Arizona. He was ejected in the second quarter for fighting with a Cardinals player.

Jennings took over as the 49ers' No. 1 option due to Deebo Samuel (ribs/wrist) sitting out Sunday's regular-season finale. The 26-year-old Jennings had a career year in 2024, setting new highs in receptions (77), yards (975) and touchdowns (six) while primarily filling in for Brandon Aiyuk (knee) midseason, though his combativeness may have cost him his first 1,000-yard season after getting ejected with a half-plus left to play. The upstart receiver will now enter the second year of a two-year contract reconstruction, with the possibility of continuing his elevated role for the 49ers in 2025.

Washington secured four of five targets for 48 yards during Sunday's 32-20 loss to the Jets.

Washington's rookie year got off to a quiet start, with just 10 grabs for 54 yards across his first 10 regular-season appearances, but in his last four games the sixth-rounder managed a 16-169-0 line on 20 targets. To see Washington compile some late-season momentum as a rookie is encouraging for his future prospects, especially with the development of Tyreek Hill seemingly wanting to move on from the Dolphins. If Washington can string together a strong offseason, he could earn a key role behind Jaylen Waddle for the 2025 campaign.

Slayton did not catch his only target in a 20-13 Week 18 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. He finished the regular season with 39 receptions (on 70 targets) for 573 yards and two touchdowns along with two rushes for 17 yards.

In what may have been Slayton's final game with the Giants, he actually led the team's wideouts with 48 offensive snaps but had just one pass thrown his way by QB Drew Lock. The lack of production has been typical for the veteran wideout of late. After catching four passes for 108 yards against Pittsburgh in Week 8, Slayton didn't exceed three receptions or 49 yards in any of his final eight contests. He came into 2024 having paced New York in receiving yards each of the previous two campaigns, but it was clear that there was going to be a changing of the guard after the Giants drafted Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 Draft. The passing of the torch did indeed take place -- Nabers enjoyed a massive rookie campaign, catching 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns -- and Slayton slipped to No. 3 in the wideout pecking order behind Wan'Dale Robinson, who ranked second on New York in targets, catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Slayton will be a free agent after the conclusion of the campaign and could seek to join a new organization with the Giants embarking upon a rebuild.

Thielen said Monday he intents to evaluate his potential playing future now that Carolina's regular season has concluded, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Thielen said he's currently leaning a certain direction but isn't ready to reveal his thoughts. The 34-year-old veteran has one year remaining on his contract with the Panthers, though Carolina has a potential out this offseason with only $5 million in dead cap. Still, Thielen was again one of Bryce Young's most trusted targets in the passing game during the 2024 campaign, in which he compiled a 48-615-5 line on 62 targets, despite suiting up for just 10 games. If Thielen decides to continue his NFL career, it would seem in the best interest of both sides for him to stick with the Panthers.

Lazard caught all three of his targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 32-20 win over the Dolphins. He finishes the season with 37 catches for 530 yards and six touchdowns on 60 targets in 12 appearances.

Lazard caught Aaron Rodgers' 501st regular-season touchdown pass on a 13-yard strike 59 seconds before halftime. The 29-year-old wide receiver scored five times through Week 6, but the Week 18 score was his only touchdown thereafter, as Lazard missed five games due to a chest injury and took a back seat after Davante Adams' arrival. The Jets almost certainly will utilize their out at the halfway point of Lazard's four-year, $44 million contract this offseason, as he hasn't come close to justifying that deal.