NFL Player News

The Panthers signed Taylor to a contract Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Taylor was not on an NFL team roster or practice squad during the 2025 season. He played for the Columbus Aviators in the UFL before a stint in the CFL with the Ottawa Redblacks, eventually being released in May. Now in Carolina, Taylor will have the opportunity to audition for a spot on the Panthers' 53-man roster or practice squad by the end of training camp.

The Panthers waived/injured Smith (undisclosed) on Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Both Smith and Gabriel Benyard were let go Tuesday in moves that corresponded with the Panthers signing wideouts Roc Taylor and Elijah Cooks. Because Smith was cut with an injury designation, he would revert to the Panthers' injured reserve if he goes through waivers unclaimed. That would force the 2024 fifth-rounder to sit for the entire 2026 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with Carolina.

The Packers waived Lachey (foot) with an injury designation Tuesday.

Lachey is currently in a walking boot and using a scooter due to a left foot injury. Once he clears waivers, Lachey will head to the Packers' injured reserve list. He can then be cut with an injury settlement at a later date or spend the entirety of the 2026 season there.

The Packers waived Maryland (hamstring) with an injury designation Tuesday.

Maryland will likely clear waivers and then head to Green Bay's injured reserve list where he'll either spend the entire 2026 season or be cut with an injury settlement at a later date.

Lane made a one-handed catch in team drills with the starters at Tuesday's practice, according to Quentin Corpuel of baltimoreravens.com.

The 6-foot-4 rookie is already showing off the contested-catch skills that helped make him a third-round pick (80th overall) this spring. After playing second fiddle to Makai Lemon during his college career, Lane finds himself in a battle for early playing time in Baltimore, likely competing against Devontez Walker and Elijah Sarratt for a top-three role alongside veterans Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.

The Bears and Wright agreed to terms on a four-year extension Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The $116 million deal includes $93 million guaranteed, the latter of which marks the most for an offensive lineman in NFL history. Since the Bears selected him 10th overall in the 2023 Draft, Wright has started all 49 regular-season games in which he's played and even earned second-team All-Pro honors after the 2025 campaign. He's now locked in with Chicago through the 2031 season.

Lachey is in a walking boot after suffering a left foot injury at practice last week, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

In addition to the walking boot, Lachey is using a scooter to get around the facility. A seventh-round pick in the 2025 Draft, Lachey spent the entirety of last season on the Texans' practice squad and is still looking to make his regular-season NFL debut. He's competing for a job in Green Bay this summer.

Bishop (knee) has been participating in Bills training camp, Nick Wojton of Bills Wire reports.

The safety underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee during the offseason but is back to 100 percent health and appears locked into a starting job in the Buffalo secondary. Bishop started all 17 regular-season games last season, posting 85 tackles (53 solo), including 2.0 sacks and seven pass breakups, including three interceptions.

Fant has been diagnosed with a torn ACL and sprained MCL and will miss the 2026 season, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Fant was injured in Monday's practice after he took a shot to the knee. He was competing for a role behind Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford at tight end in Dallas. Fant has yet to record a regular-season catch across 11 appearances.

Taylor could see more opportunities this summer after teammate Kenyon Sadiq (sports hernia) suffered a setback in his return from May surgery, ESPN.com's Rich Cimini reports.

Fantasy interest in Taylor took a cliff dive after the Jets drafted Sadiq in the first round this spring. While the rookie's presence is still a huge issue for Taylor's long-term outlook, it won't be at all surprising if the 2025 second-round pick is a Week 1 starter with a workload of 40-plus snaps. If nothing else, Taylor retains some appeal as a dynasty bench stash and an endgame pick for best ball. Streaming value for redraft is also possible, especially if Sadiq isn't ready for Week 1 or otherwise doesn't have much of a role early in the season. Jets coach Aaron Glenn did say Tuesday that he still hopes for Sadiq to be ready by Week 1.