NFL Player News

Payton (undisclosed) reverted to injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The cornerback is thus slated to spend the coming campaign on IR unless he reaches an injury settlement with the Giants. The 26-year-old is coming off a 2025 regular season in which he recorded 12 tackles in nine contests while working in a reserve role in New York's secondary.

Ahead of training camp, Nick Suss of the Nashville Tennessean projects that Ayomanor is line to compete for a rotational role in a Titans WR corps that added Wan'Dale Robinson via free agency and landed Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

As a rookie, the 2025 fourth-rounder logged a 41/515/4 receiving mark on 89 targets in 16 regular-season contests, while fellow fourth-round choice Chimere Dike put up a 48/423/4 mark (on 74 targets). However, with Robinson and Tate on board and slated to command their share of targets in 2026, both Ayomanor and Dike face obstacles to steady volume in their second pro campaigns, especially given that Calvin Ridley -- who was limited to seven games last year -- remains in the mix. In that context, Ayomanor brings modest fantasy lineup appeal to the table out of the gate this season unless injuries hit Tennessee's pass-catching corps in advance of Week 1.

As the coming season approaches, Nick Suss of the Nashville Tennessean projects that Dike is in line to compete for a rotational role in the Titans' re-tooled WR corps.

As a rookie, the 2025 fourth-rounder compiled a 48/423/4 receiving line (on 74 targets) across 17 regular-season games, adding a pair of punt return scores, while fellow 2025 fourth-rounder Elic Ayomanor logged a 41/515/4 mark on 89 targets. However, the free-agent addition of Wan'Dale Robinson, coupled with the selection of Carnell Tate fourth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, poses a threat to the volume of both Dike and Ayomanor in their second pro campaigns, given that Calvin Ridley (limited to seven games last year) also remains in the mix. As Suss notes, Dike's speed makes him an asset, but as Week 1 approaches the Florida product's weekly role in Tennessee's passing game is TBD considering his team's offseason moves. That said, Dike should continue to make his mark as a returner after establishing the all-time NFL rookie record for all-purpose yards (which included 1,588 kickoff return yards and 398 punt return yards) in 2025.

Liufau is expected to play outside linebacker under new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker this season, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

In anticipation of the move from off-ball linebacker to the edge for Dallas, Liufau has bulked up this offseason. "I'm excited, [it's] just another opportunity to get on the field," Liufau said. "At the end of the day, it's not something I can't do. I'm excited to really showcase what I can do. I will be fine." Liufau is expected to get more opportunities to rush the passer under Parker. A third-round pick in 2024, Liufau has appeared in all 34 regular-season games since entering the league but logged just 18 percent of the defensive snaps under DC Matt Eberflus last season. With Parker now at the controls on the defensive side, Liufau could get more reps in tandem with Rashan Gary.

Bigsby is expected to enter the 2026 season as the Eagles' primary backup behind Saquon Barkley, Glenn Erby of Eagles Wire reports.

Bigsby was acquired from the Jaguars prior to Week 2 last season, and he went on to rush for 344 yards and two touchdowns on 58 carries across 16 regular-season appearances for Philadelphia. His 5.9 yards per carry would have ranked first in the NFL if Bigsby had enough carries to qualify. Though the Eagles also currently employ Will Shipley, Dameon Pierce and Elijah Mitchell at running back, Bigsby appears set to be Barkley's clear No. 2 and someone who will be worth stashing on fantasy benches in the event of a Barkley injury.

Texans running backs coach Danny Barrett said Sunday that he still envisions Marks taking on a sizable workload in his second NFL season, even after Houston acquired David Montgomery earlier in the offseason, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. "I think the key for Woody is understanding his role, which he does," Barrett said. "He's going to get lots of opportunities."

As a rookie fourth-round pick in 2025, Marks led the Texans in rushing yards (703) but averaged just 3.6 yards per tote. Poor offensive line play was a factor in Marks' inability to churn out big gains on the ground, though Houston appears to have upgraded that group with the signings of veteran guard Wyatt Teller and offensive tackle Braden Smith and the selection of center/guard Keylan Rutledge in the first round of the draft. While the presence of Montgomery will likely limit Marks' touches on early downs, any improvement in his efficiency as a runner to go along with a heightened role on passing downs -- he shined as a pass catcher with a 24-208-3 receiving line as a rookie -- may be enough for Marks to build on his first-year production. The Texans are also looking to take advantage of Marks' shiftiness in space by deploying him on kickoff returns.

Dotson is set to compete for slotting in a "wide open" Atlanta wideout depth chart behind Drake London, Bobby Kownack of NFL.com reports.

Dotson had some solid stretches early in his career with Washington, but his production dropped dramatically after he was traded to the Eagles ahead of the 2024 season. Of course, Philadelphia had the stud wideout duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith hogging most of Jalen Hurts' targets and consequently impeding Dotson's opportunities. Things are a bit different for the Penn State product after he signed with Atlanta in early March -- though London (undisclosed) is the team's clear alpha at wideout, the No. 2 slot in the WR pecking order is probably going to come down to whoever wins the competition between Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus and third-round rookie Zachariah Branch. With that said, the Falcons will also feature TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson as key components of their air game, so even if Dotson emerges with a starting role, he figures to be behind multiple players in terms of distribution of targets.

Christensen (Achilles) has been cleared for contact, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Christensen is bouncing back from season-ending Achilles surgery that he underwent this past October, and the free agent is one step closer to landing a contract for the coming campaign. A return to the Panthers is one possibility, but wherever he lands in 2026, the 29-year-old brings multi-position versatility to the table.

Raridon will enter training camp with an opportunity to establish himself as the No. 2 tight end behind starter Hunter Henry, Jordy McElroy of USA Today reports.

The Patriots selected Raridon in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he has a clear path to snaps with Julian Hill (knee) on season-ending IR and Austin Hooper having signed with the Falcons. At 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, the Notre Dame standout possesses the athleticism, speed and catch radius to threaten defenses down the seam and provide Drake Maye with another receiving option. Raridon still needs refinement as a blocker, but a strong training camp could position him for a meaningful rookie-year role. Meanwhile, Henry is positioned to hit free agency in 2027.

The Giants waived Payton (undisclosed) with an injury designation Tuesday, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports.

Payton will revert to New York's injured reserve if he goes unclaimed. The exact nature of the 26-year-old cornerback's injury remains undisclosed.