NFL Player News

Kraft (knee) said Monday that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery to repair a torn ACL and hopes to be "bulletproof" by Week 1 of the 2026 season, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Kraft noted that the Green Bay training staff generally recommends a nine-month recovery timeframe to rehab from ACL tears, and the Packers' Week 1 game would be about 10 months post-surgery. The athletic tight end emerged as a leader in the receiving game to kick off the 2025 campaign, recording an impressive 32-489-6 receiving line across his eight appearances. However, the Packers were without wideouts Jayden Reed and Christian Watson for the majority of those contests. Kraft may open training camp on the PUP list, but if he's indeed able to enter Week 1 at full health, he'll project to immediately reprise a key role in what may be an improved aerial attack for the Packers.

Moore caught 11 of 23 targets for 207 yards and one touchdown while adding a nine-yard carry across 14 appearances during the 2025 regular season.

Moore began the season on the practice squad but spent most of the season on the Commanders' active roster and saw a surprisingly high amount of usage due to the team's injuries at wide receiver. That didn't amount to much production, though. He'll be a free agent ahead of his age-33 season and will likely have to compete for a roster spot somewhere in training camp.

Smith signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Smith appeared in seven regular-season games for the Eagles as a rookie, but the 2024 fifth-round draft pick was waived prior to the 2025 season and subsequently signed with Carolina's practice squad, where he spent the entire 2025 campaign. He will likely get a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Panthers in training camp in 2026.

Johnston secured three of six targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 16-3 loss to the Patriots in the wild-card round.

Johnston finished second on the Chargers in terms of targets behind Keenan Allen (eight), but like the rest of Los Angeles' pass-catching offense which Ladd McConkey led with just 32 receiving yards, he was inefficient versus New England's defense. Still, during the regular season, Johnston demonstrated improved chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert, as the 2023 first-round pick managed a respectable 51-735-8 line on 84 targets across 14 regular-season appearances. Johnston also was hampered by shin, hamstring, groin and shoulder injuries during the second half of the campaign. He'll look to take another step forward in 2026, which is currently positioned as the final year of his rookie deal with the Chargers, though the team could exercise his fifth-year option this offseason.

Reed signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Reed spent his rookie 2025 season on Carolina's practice squad. The wide receiver out of San Diego has yet to make his NFL regular-season debut.

Pierre signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Pierre's sticking around after spending the 2025 season on Carolina's practice squad. Despite underwhelming production from Carolina's tight ends in 2025, Pierre didn't get the opportunity to make his NFL regular-season debut.

Chisena signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on Monday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Chisena spent most of the 2026 season on Carolina's practice squad but was elevated for one game during the 2025 regular season. He has 38 regular-season appearances but just three catches in his NFL career. Chisena will likely get a chance to compete for a roster spot in training camp.

Hudson finished the 2025 regular season with 19 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 24 targets.

Hudson recorded exactly 19 catches for a second consecutive season while setting career highs in both games played (15) and touchdowns (two). The seven-year NFL veteran will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason after spending the last three seasons in Cincinnati.

Rhyan (knee) suffered a bone bruise in his knee but doesn't have any ligament damage, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Rhyan was listed with a knee injury on the injury report down the stretch, but that didn't stop him from starting seven of the Packers' last eight regular-season games, as well as the team's playoff loss to the Bears in the wild-card round. The pending unrestricted free agent's injury is unlikely to impact his market.

Wyatt (ankle) expects to be ready for training camp as he recovers from a broken fibula and torn ligament in his ankle, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Wyatt was placed on injured reserve Dec. 5 due to an ankle injury, and the details of his injury have been revealed following the Packers' elimination from the postseason at the hands of the Bears in the wild-card round. The 2022 first-round pick is expected to reprise his role as a key player along the interior of Green Bay's defensive line in 2026 while playing on the fifth-year option in his rookie contract.