NFL Player News

Rice (knee) is being eased back into the mix during training camp, Jesse Newell of The Athletic reports.

As Rice works his way back from an offseason knee procedure with a ramp-up period, Pete Sweeney of the Kansas City Star relays that the wideout hasn't been logging reps in team drills. That context has enabled rookie fifth-rounder Cyrus Allen to open some eyes early on in training camp, but once Rice upgrades his practice participation level, he'll step back into a prominent role in a WR corps that also features fellow returnees Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton.

Sanders continues to rotate first-team reps with Deshaun Watson, and the former is lined up to work with the starters in Cleveland's first padded practice Monday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Sanders and Watson have been alternating first-team reps in the early days of camp. Watson got the first-team spot for Friday's training camp practice, so Sanders is set to take his next turn Monday, when the team puts on pads for the first time. Cleveland's quarterback competition is unlikely to be decided until after Sanders and Watson play in the preseason.

Tagovailoa (back) did not take part in team drills Friday due to a "precautionary thing" related to back tightness and said he is unsure when he will be fully cleared for on-field activities, Marc Raimondi of ESPN reports.

Tagovailoa said that if the Falcons were preparing for an actual regular-season game he would likely be ready to play, but it remains to be seen whether he will be cleared to handle more than individual drills at training camp. With Michael Penix (ACL) also capped at 7-on-7 work for the moment, Jack Strand and Cooper Rush will continue piloting Atlanta's offense during the early stages of training camp. Tagovailoa and Penix are competing for the Falcons' starting quarterback job, even as both signal-callers currently deal with their respective health-related hurdles.

Watson will continue to rotate first-team reps with Shedeur Sanders as the Browns begin practicing in pads, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Watson is getting the first-team reps Friday, which lines Sanders up to work with the starters Monday in what Oyefusi reports will be Cleveland's first practice in pads. Cleveland's quarterback competition is unlikely to be decided until much closer to the regular season.

Gay worked as the first-team kicker at Friday's training camp practice and made all of his attempts, Sam Warren of the Athletic reports.

Gay rotated in ahead of Kansei Matsuzawa, the latter of whom had a 40-yard miss in Friday's practice but made the rest of his attempts. With 102 games of regular-season kicking experience under his belt, Gay looks like the early favorite in the competition against the undrafted rookie Matsuzawa.

Wright (neck) has been taking part in training camp, Jacob Richman of MLive.com reports.

Wright could earn an expanded role under new OC Drew Petzing, who has a penchant for utilizing sets with multiple tight ends. Tyler Conklin (knee) figures to be Wright's primary competition for the second spot on the depth chart behind Sam LaPorta.

Head coach Mike McCarthy envisions using Wilson all over the formation, Brian Batko of the Steelers' official site reports.

"He's done a heck of a job inside, and I haven't even talked to him about this yet, but I think we can start working him a little bit more outside, too," McCarthy said of Wilson. "He can line up at X, Z and F, and so far, he's done exactly what we asked." Wilson is competing with rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard for the third spot on Pittsburgh's wide receiver depth chart behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman. Bernard got most of the first-team slot reps at Friday's practice, per Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, while Wilson worked mostly on the outside with the second-team offense, which marks a departure from previous practices, when Wilson played primarily in the slot.

Browns running backs coach Duce Staley said Friday that the "sky's the limit" for Judkins, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

"I'm gonna push him to find out," Staley added of Judkins, who is participating in training camp after recovering from a dislocated right ankle and fractured fibula suffered in Week 16 of the 2025 season. Prior to the injury, Judkins enjoyed a productive rookie campaign, totaling 998 scrimmage yards and seven rushing touchdowns in 14 regular-season appearances. Judkins is expected to work as Cleveland's lead back, with fellow second-year pro Dylan Sampson serving in a change-of-pace role.

Allen (calf) will practice Friday after being removed from the active/PUP list, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.

Allen sat out the first two practices of training camp due to what GM Chris Ballard described as a muscle strain in Allen's calf, but the rookie second-round pick has now been cleared for action. The 53rd overall selection out of Georgia is the favorite to start out of the gate at middle linebacker for the Colts.

Murray continued to split first-team reps with J.J. McCarthy on Thursday, Rob Kleifield of the Vikings' official site reports.

Murray had an up-and-down practice as he continues to adjust to his new surroundings. The first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft is the perceived favorite in Minnesota's quarterback competition against McCarthy, who struggled in 2025 after sitting out his rookie campaign in 2024 due to a knee injury.