NFL Player News

Smith (ankle) was spotted at Thursday's training camp practice.

Smith dealt with back and ankle injuries in 2025, which limited him to 12 regular-season games, though he appears to be fully healthy for the start of training camp. The 2021 sixth-rounder enters camp as the favorite to secure a starting spot at right guard.

Shepherd could be a candidate for an increased snap count in 2026 if Bryan Bresee (knee) cannot play, Doug Joubert of Sports Illustrated reports.

Bresee is feared to have torn his ACL during practice earlier in the week, which would leave a big hole on New Orleans' defensive front. The veteran Shepherd is an obvious contender to take a large chunk of the snaps left behind, although he'll have to compete with John Ridgeway, 2024 sixth-rounder Khristian Boyd and 2025 third-rounder Vernon Broughton, among others.

Slater (kneecap) was seen participating in training camp practice Thursday, Gilberto Manzano of SI.com reports.

Expectations were high for Slater after the 2021 first-rounder signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension with the Chargers in July of 2025. However, he ended up missing all of last season after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured patella tendon that he suffered during training camp. Slater is fully recovered from the injury, and his return will bolster a Chargers offensive line tasked with protecting franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.

Broughton (hip) is an active participant in training camp practices, Matthew Paras of NOLA.com reports.

Broughton was a third-round selection of the Saints in the 2025 NFL Draft, but his rookie campaign was cut short by a season-ending hip injury that he sustained in Week 1 against the 49ers in September. He's fully healthy for the start of training camp, and he has the opportunity to earn a starting role at defensive end opposite Cameron Jordan if Bryan Bresee (knee) is sidelined for the entire 2026 season.

Gillotte suffered a strained hamstring during the Chiefs' training camp practice Friday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Whether the injury will impact Gillotte's availability for Week 1 of the regular season will depend on the severity of the strain. As long as he's sidelined, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and rookie second-rounder R Mason Thomas will be candidates to see an uptick in reps on the edge.

Banks (ankle) has been participating in training camp practices, Matthew Paras of NOLA.com reports.

Banks was a first-round selection of the Saints in the 2025 NFL Draft and started in all 17 regular-season games last year. He suffered an ankle injury during the Saints' regular-season finale against the Falcons in early January, but he is fully healthy for the start of training camp. Banks figures to keep his starting role at left tackle for the 2026 campaign.

Harris (knee) has been participating fully in training camp practices, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

A sixth-round selection of the Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft, Harris appeared in 14 regular-season games (five starts) last year and logged 28 tackles (18 solo), five pass defenses and one forced fumble. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in late December but is fully healthy for training camp, where he will look to solidify a starting role in the secondary for the 2026 campaign.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that Taylor (elbow) is progressing well and that he hopes he can return in the next few days or weeks, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor is still working to come back from the triceps and elbow injuries that kept him sidelined for the last five games of the 2025 campaign, and it looks like he could be close to a return to action. He projects to start at right tackle for Atlanta once he's healthy.

The Bills waived Owens on Friday.

The move corresponds with the Bills signing cornerback D.J. Miller. Owens has yet to appear in a regular-season game since signing with the Bills as an undrafted free agent in May of 2025. He'll look to catch on with a team in need of depth at safety.

Mahogany (undisclosed) was removed from the Lions' active/non-football injury list Friday after passing his physical, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.

Mahogany has been cleared to practice after recovering from an undisclosed injury. He's slated to serve as the Lions' starter at left guard for the 2026 season, with his main competition coming from Juice Scruggs and Miles Frazier.