NFL Player News
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Tyler Smith OT | DAL
Cowboys' Tyler Smith: On track for OTAs
Smith underwent minor cleanup surgery on his right knee after the Pro Bowl, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.
With Smith now over two weeks removed from the procedure, the report indicates that the Cowboys' left guard is expected to be 100 percent before the start of the team's offseason program in April. The 2022 first-rounder appeared in 16 regular-season games in 2025 en route to earning his third straight Pro Bowl nod.
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Jonathon Brooks RB | CAR
Panthers' Jonathon Brooks: Rehab going smoothly
General manager Dan Morgan said Tuesday that Brooks (knee) is doing well in his rehab, and the Panthers are optimistic that the running back will be able to contribute in 2026, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Morgan didn't provide any specifics regarding where Brooks stands in his rehab program for the right knee ACL tear he sustained in December 2024, but the 22-year-old at least appears to have avoided any setbacks in his recovery from surgery. A second-round pick in 2024, Brooks has appeared in just three games through two seasons, as he was delayed at the start of his rookie campaign while recovering from an ACL tear that he sustained in college in the same knee. Coming off a pair of major surgeries, Brooks will need to prove that his explosiveness hasn't been compromised as he aims to secure a role out of the Carolina backfield. The Panthers leaned primarily on the duo of Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard out of the backfield in 2025, but with Dowdle bound for free agency this offseason, Carolina could have an opening for Brooks to serve as the top complement to Hubbard during the upcoming season.
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Rico Dowdle RB | PIT
Panthers' Rico Dowdle: Uncertain to return to Carolina
General manager Dan Morgan said Tuesday that the door is open for Dowdle to return to Carolina in 2026, but the Panthers will give him the opportunity to test the market in free agency, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Though the Panthers are seemingly keen on retaining Dowdle at the right price, it's possible that the franchise won't be able to afford the running back coming off his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season. If Dowdle heads elsewhere, Morgan expressed confidence in the remaining members of the running back room (Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne) being capable of picking up the slack. After opening 2025 as the Panthers' starter before sliding to second on the depth chart, Hubbard had already moved back into a near-even timeshare with Dowdle by the end of the regular season and then handily out-snapped and out-touched Dowdle in the Panthers' wild-card loss to the Rams.
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Spencer Brown OT | BUF
Bills' Spencer Brown: Has contract restructured
Bills GM Brandon Beane said Tuesday that Brown's contract was restructured in a move that will save the team around $10.4 million, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.
Brown has three years remaining on the four-year, $72 million extension he signed in September of 2024. The specifics on the restructured deal haven't been made public yet, but the agreement helps Buffalo get closer to salary cap compliance. Brown has been a solid and durable part of the Bills' offensive line and figures to once against start for the team at right tackle next season.
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Cody Mauch G | TB
Buccaneers' Cody Mauch: Should be ready for training camp
Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday that Mauch (knee) is slated to be healthy for the start of training camp, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Mauch injured his knee in mid-September and missed the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Prior to getting hurt, he had started 36 consecutive regular-season contests to begin his NFL career. Mauch figures to retake his starting role at right guard when the 2026 campaign kicks off.
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David Walker LB | TB
Buccaneers' David Walker: Should be healthy by training camp
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday that Walker (knee) is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
After being selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round of last April's NFL Draft, Walker missed all of his would-be rookie campaign due to a torn ACL. It sounds like he's progressed well in his recovery, but Licht's comments don't make it clear if Walker will be able to participate in OTAs. Regardless, the Central Arkansas product is in line to make his NFL debut in 2026 and could serve in a key rotational role.
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Tyler Linderbaum C | LV
Ravens' Tyler Linderbaum: Baltimore working to retain center
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said Tuesday that Baltimore has made a market-setting offer to impending free agent Linderbaum, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.
DeCosta added that the Ravens will not be using the franchise or transition tag on Linderbaum. While Baltimore is working hard to retain its starting center, there's a chance he'll opt to test free agency and see what else is out there in two weeks. Linderbaum has missed just two starts since he was taken with the 25th overall pick in the 2022 Draft by the Ravens.
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Patrick Jones II DE | CAR
Panthers' Patrick Jones: Fully cleared from back injury
Panthers GM Dan Morgan said Tuesday that Jones (back) has been fully cleared after undergoing surgery during the season, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Signed to a two-year, $15 million deal last offseason following a breakout 2024 campaign with the Vikings, Jones appeared in just four regular-season games during his first season with Carolina. The outside linebacker will look to return to form in 2026 after he racked up a career-high 7.0 sacks across 15 regular-season games with Minnesota two seasons ago.
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Nate Wiggins CB | BAL
Ravens' Nate Wiggins: Recovering from surgery
Wiggins (undisclosed) underwent offseason surgery, Jonas Shaffer of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
The nature of Wiggins' surgery is unclear, as new coach Jesse Minter offered no details when speaking with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. Wiggins, however, did deal with a foot injury in December, though he didn't miss any game action. He finished the 2025 season with 76 tackles (57 solo) and 14 pass breakups, including three interceptions. Wiggins is expected to be a big part of Minter's defense in Baltimore.
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Tyson Bagent QB | CHI
Bears' Tyson Bagent: Subject of trade chatter
Bears GM Ryan Poles said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that teams have called about the availability of Bagent via trade this offseason, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Bagent was signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Shepherd in 2023 and started four games as a rookie, completing 94 of 143 passes for 859 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions across five total appearances. He's attempted just six regular-season passes over the last two campaigns but has looked good during the preseason when on the field. Bagent has two years remaining on his contract at $4 million each season, so he's very affordable and could be a stop-gap option for a rebuilding team.