NFL Player News

The Texans signed Kelly to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Kelly spent the entire 2025 season on the Texans' practice squad after failing to make the Cowboys' 53-man roster at the end of training camp in late August. He didn't appear in a regular-season game, but by signing a future contract, he'll be on Houston's 90-man roster for the offseason and will be eligible to participate in OTAs and minicamp.

Chicago signed Richardson to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Richardson signed with the Bears in April as an undrafted free agent and opted to stay in Chicago on the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster following the conclusion of training camp. His lone elevation to the active roster came in Week 17 against the 49ers, though he didn't end up seeing the field. Richardson will have the opportunity to participate in OTAs and minicamp during the offseason as a member of the Bears' 90-man roster.

The Bears signed Kalinic to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Kalinic joined the Bears' practice squad in late August after failing to make the Falcons' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He was elevated to Chicago's active roster four times, including in each of the Bears' two playoff games, though he did not record a target. Kalinic will be a part of the Bears' 90-man roster for the offseason and will be eligible to participate in OTAs and minicamp.

The Bears signed Carlson to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

With a future contract, Carlson will be on the Bears' 90-man roster when the offseason begins Feb. 9 and will be eligible to participate in offseason programs such as OTAs and minicamp. The Princeton product spent the entire 2025 campaign on the Bears' practice squad and appeared in two regular-season games, though he did not record a catch across those two contests.

Brown signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears on Tuesday.

The fourth-year running back spent most of the season on the Bears' practice squad. Brown appeared in three regular-season games and logged five carries for 37 yards and one touchdown while returning one kickoff for 23 yards, all of which came in Week 9 against the Bengals, when he served as Kyle Monangai's backup due to the absences of D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. By signing a future contract, Brown will be a member of the Bears' 90-man roster when the offseason starts Feb. 9, which gives him the opportunity to participate in OTAs, minicamp and any other offseason program.

The Bears signed Alexander to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Alexander spent most of the 2025 season on the Bears' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. His lone appearance came in Week 17 against the Packers, when he played one snap on offense without showing up on the box score otherwise. Alexander has appeared in eight regular-season games since entering the league in 2022 as an undrafted free agent, and he'll be a member of Chicago's 90-man roster when the offseason officially starts Feb. 9. That gives the Florida International product an opportunity to participate in offseason programs and make a positive impression on the coaching staff ahead of training camp in July.

Smith is progressing in his recovery from season-ending knee surgery and is on track to play next season, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The rookie-third corner landed on injured reserve in early November and was not cleared to return after undergoing a procedure on his knee. Smith also missed four games earlier in the year due to a hamstring injury and was limited to just four regular-season games, logging six tackles (three solo) and one fumble recovery while serving on special teams and the Texans' third corner behind Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter. Whether Smith is available at the start of the 2026 regular season largely depends on his level of participation during training camp.

The Packers waived Diggs on Tuesday.

Diggs joined the Packers in late December after being waived by the Cowboys. He played 33 defensive snaps against the Vikings in Week 18 when the Packers' starters rested, but he played just one defensive snap during Green Bay's NFC wild-card loss against Chicago. Per Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com, the Packers were open to restructuring Diggs' contract, and there's a chance that the 2020 second-rounder sticks around in Green Bay for at least the upcoming season.

The Packers signed McCord to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

McCord was selected by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was unable to beat out Tanner McKee or Sam Howell for a spot on the 53-man roster behind Jalen Hurts, so McCord spent his entire rookie season on Philadelphia's practice squad. McCord will get a new opportunity in Green Bay, and he would have a clearer path to the backup quarterback job behind Jordan Love if Malik Willis opts to sign with a different team when the offseason officially begins Feb. 9.

The Saints re-signed Blackmon (shoulder) to a one-year deal Tuesday, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

The 27-year-old from Utah signed a one-year deal with the Saints last offseason but played in just one game in 2025 due to a shoulder injury. Blackmon appeared in 16 games for the Colts in 2024, recording 86 total tackles, including 0.5 sacks, and four passes defensed, including three interceptions. Now back with the Saints, the veteran safety will likely start alongside Justin Reid in 2026.