NFL Player News

The Bears released Jones (hamstring) from injured reserve with an injury settlement Wednesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Jones was placed on injured reserve Monday with an undisclosed issue. The cornerback likely believes he can return promptly and participate in the 2026 regular season, leading to the injury settlement with the Bears. Jones is now a free agent and can sign with any franchise's 53-man roster or practice squad as soon as he is medically cleared.

Ferguson did not play in any of the Cowboys' three preseason games.

Ferguson, George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott were all sidelined for the entire preseason, ensuring that they will all be available for Week 1 against the Giants on Sunday, Sept. 13. Ferguson is coming offf a career year, finishing the 2025 regular season with 82 catches (on 102 targets) for 600 yards and eight touchdowns across 17 games. Even with Lamb and Pickens both commanding 100-plus targets last year, Ferguson's reliability in the passing game has made him a go-to option for Prescott in the passing game. Ferguson will operate as the Cowboys' top pass-catching tight end this season, with Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker providing depth at the position.

Jones and Jordan Mason are listed as co-starting running backs on the Vikings' unofficial depth chart following cut-down day Sunday, Rob Kleifield of the team's official site reports.

Jones and Mason effectively split Minnesota's backfield in 2025, with the former earning 160 touches in 12 regular-season games and the latter getting 173 in 16 such appearances. Mason's goal-line work (29 rushes inside the 20-yard line) helped him total six TDs, while Jones (14 such carries) ended up with only three end-zone visits, which matched the lowest of his career for a campaign. The duo should have a similar breakdown of reps this season, but Jones' age (31) and injury history seemingly make him the riskier of the two to roster for fantasy purposes.

The Lions waived McLaughlin on Wednesday.

McLaughlin was diagnosed with a concussion last Saturday. The center was not waived with an injury designation, meaning he has recovered quickly from the head injury. The 2025 undrafted free agent out of Ohio State will now be subject to waivers, and if he clears, he will become a free agent able to sign with any organization.

The Saints waived Wesley (undisclosed) from injured reserve with an injury settlement Wednesday.

Wesley is headed to waivers just two days after being placed on injured reserve. The 27-year-old will now look to get healthy and catch on with another team.

The Panthers waived Funderburk (undisclosed) from injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Funderburk reverted to the Panthers' injured reserve list with an undisclosed issue Monday after clearing waivers. The cornerback was not waived from IR with an injury designation or settlement, meaning he may have recovered from the issue. Funderburk has already cleared waivers and is now a free agent able to sign with any franchise as soon as he regains his health.

The Saints waived Beanum (undisclosed) from injured reserve with an injury settlement Wednesday.

Beanum's tenure in New Orleans has come to an end after he spent last season on the team's practice squad. The 2025 undrafted free agent will now look to get back to full health and find another opportunity with another team.

The Vikings signed Bell to the practice squad Wednesday, Rob Kleifield reports.

Bell made the Vikings' initial 53-man roster but was promptly waived Monday to make room for waiver claims. The wide receiver cleared waivers himself and has now returned to the team on the practice squad. The undrafted free agent out of Georgia will compete with other practice squad additions to receive a potential elevation to the active roster during the 2026 season if any starting wide receivers must miss time due to injury.

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht praised Godwin on Monday for his consistency and veteran leadership, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.

"I would be remiss if I did not mention [Godwin] for all he has done for this organization and talk about being a consistent, steady, Mr. Clutch player, that is him and he looks very, very good out there right now," Licht relayed Monday. For the first time in his NFL career, Godwin enters the season out of the shadows of Mike Evans (groin), who signed a three-year contract with the 49ers in March. Godwin logged 1,000-plus yard seasons four times from 2019 to 2023, and he was the league leader in receptions before dislocating his ankle in Week 7 of the 2024 season. He was limited to nine regular-season games last year due to a fibula injury, but Godwin is fully healthy entering the 2026 campaign and will serve as a go-to target in the passing game for quarterback Baker Mayfield. Godwin could operate in an elevated role early in the season depending on the statuses of Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) for Week 1 against the Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 13.

The Cowboys signed Milton to their practice squad Wednesday.

Milton is staying in Dallas after going unclaimed on waivers. The 26-year-old completed 29 of his 43 passes attempts for 378 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions across three preseason outings and will likely serve as the team's emergency third quarterback behind Dak Prescott and Sam Howell.