NFL Player News

Smith (knee) is participating in OTAs this week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Smith suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 that landed him on injured reserve until returning in Week 8. He then sustained a season-ending torn meniscus in his knee in Week 9. Wilson reports Smith is now 100 percent healthy and has no restrictions this offseason. He'll compete for a role behind starters Derek Stingley, Kamari Lassiter and slot corner Jalen Pitre.

McCaffrey said after Thursday's OTAs that he's looking forward to sustaining another heavy workload in 2026, and that any reductions in touches should come in practice rather than games, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

"I think everything else can be monitored during the week or with a practice schedule or certain ways you train, whatever it may be," McCaffrey said. "But when it comes to game days, I like to think you prepare yourself for playing every snap." McCaffrey handled a career-high 413 touches during the 2025 regular season, leading the NFL in that category for the third time in his nine-year career. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier in the offseason that the team would like to provide McCaffrey more help in the backfield to ensure the star running back stays fresh and effective down the stretch, but McCaffrey has no plans to cede a significant share of regular-season snaps to any of Jordan James, Kaelon Black, Isaac Guerendo (pectoral), Patrick Taylor, Jordan Mims or Jermar Jefferson, all of whom are competing for slotting behind McCaffrey on San Francisco's running back depth chart.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Thursday that Miller (ACL) is not practicing during OTAs as he continues to progress through his rehab, Arye Pulli of USA Today reports.

Miller is recovering from a torn ACL suffered Week 7 of the 2025 campaign, an injury which derailed what was otherwise shaping up to be an impressive season. Prior to tearing his ACL, Miller had compiled a 47-193-1 rushing line across seven games while handling a complementary role behind Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle). He also had five catches for 30 yards and 393 kickoff-return yards. Now, in addition to completing his rehab and making a full recovery, Miller faces the difficult task of competing for a role behind new No. 1 option Travis Etienne, Kamara, and 2025 sixth-rounder Devin Neal (hamstring).

Blue is competing with Malik Davis and Phil Mafah for No. 2 running back reps behind starter Javonte Williams at OTAs, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.

Blue, a 2025 fifth-round pick, was a healthy scratch for 12 games as a rookie and only tallied 38 carries for 129 yards and one score across the five regular-season appearances he did log. Among those games was Dallas' regular-season finale against the Giants in Week 18, however, in which Blue stepped into the No. 1 role with both Williams and Davis sidelined, totaling 16 carries for 64 yards and his sole career score. Blue is undersized at 5-foot-9, 196 pounds, but he boasts 4.38-second 40 speed and could carve out a change-of-pace role behind Williams with a strong offseason.

Gregory (knee) is participating in OTAs.

The defensive tackle was placed on injured reserve in January after New England's AFC divisional-round win over Houston. Gregory recorded eight tackles across seven games for the Patriots last year.

Dial (knee) is participating during the Patriots' OTAs, Sophie Weller of USA Today reports.

Dial spent the whole 2025 season on IR after tearing his ACL during training camp, but he's now back on the practice field with his teammates. In his rookie year in 2024, he played 60 snaps on defense and 363 snaps on special teams.

San Francisco placed Forrest (undisclosed) on its injured reserve list Thursday.

It's not clear what kind of injury Forrest is dealing with, but he's now on track to spend the entire 2026 season on IR unless he negotiates an injury settlement with the 49ers. His absence could open up more opportunities for rookie undrafted free agents Jalen Stroman and Larry Worth.

Vera-Tucker (triceps) is participating in organized team activities, Darren Hartwell and Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston report.

Though he's not yet participating in 11-on-11 drills, Vera-Tucker has been good to go for "half-speed periods or periods with no defense," per Perry. The offensive guard missed the entire 2025 campaign with a torn triceps and has played in just 43 regular-season contests since being drafted in the first round by the Jets in 2021.

Campbell (knee) is participating during the Patriots' OTAs, Darren Hartwell and Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston report.

Campbell is taking reps with the first team and is moving well, per Perry. Campbell suffered a torn right MCL in Week 12 at Cincinnati last year, but he was able to return for New England's regular-season finale and postseason run. He just turned 22 in January and will be looking to take a step forward as the Patriots' starting left tackle in 2026.

Miller (ankle) is participating in OTAs, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.

The left tackle started four games last season before suffering a hairline fracture to his ankle in a September matchup with the Bears. Miller was able to practice near the end of the regular season, though, so his participation in OTAs is perhaps not a surprise. The veteran has started 112 of the 114 games he's played in during his eight-year career.