NFL

A knee injury suffered in late November ended Howard’s 2023 season, as the veteran tackle required surgery to correct the issue. While we don’t know the specifics of the injury, we do know that Howard was sidelined for the majority of OTAs and minicamp while recovering. Now appearing healthy to kick off the first day of training camp, it looks as if Howard is nearing a full return in the coming days.

Cobb is walking away from the field and entering the broadcasting game as a studio analyst for the SEC Network. The former Kentucky wide receiver was a second-round pick of the Packers in 2011 and established himself as one of the league’s top slot receivers during his second season when he went for 80-954-8 on 104 targets. Cobb’s production topped out at 91-1287-12 in 2014, but the veteran receiver strung together a long, productive career in which he totaled more than 7,600 receiving yards along with 54 receiving touchdowns. His final season, which came last year with the Jets, was an underwhelming one. After being brought in by long-time Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers, Cobb played a minimal role for the team in 2023, catching just five passes over the 11 games he appeared in.

The Texans explored adding to their offensive line on Wednesday by working out Cam Erving. He spent last season with the Saints and has versatility, playing as a guard and tackle throughout his career. With 98 games played through nine seasons with the Browns, Chiefs, Cowboys, Panthers, and Saints, Erving brings experience. Injuries hit the soon-to-be 32-year-old later in his career, but Erving could be a swing tackle or guard depth add if signed.

A third-round pick in this year’s draft, Amegadjie will start training camp on the non-football injury list. He did not participate in the offseason programs as he recovers from a quad injury suffered at Yale last season. Rehabbing from October surgery, Amegadjie will have to wait a little longer to see the field.

Kraft and center Zach Tom were both placed on the PUP list after suffering torn pectoral muscles in the spring. Head coach Matt LaFleur does not expect them to miss much of camp, but it is notable that they are in danger of missing camp reps. Especially for Kraft, the second-year tight end who will compete with fellow sophomore tight end Luke Musgrave for opportunities this season. Kraft missing early camp reps could give Musgrave a better shot at being the starter. Regardless, Kraft is not expected to be out long but should be valued as the Packers’ second tight end heading into the season.

It’s a homecoming for Matakevich, who spent the first four years of his career with the Steelers (2016-2019) after being drafted by them in the seventh round. Matakevich has played in 129 games over his career, contributing primarily on special teams. He’s started just one game on defense and has never totaled more than 23 tackles in a season.

Collins was sidelined throughout the spring as he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery. Fresh off signing a new three-year, $72 million deal, the Texans are hoping Collins can replicate the success he had in 2023, which led to a breakout campaign that saw him total 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. Collins posted career numbers across the board while also averaging a career-high 16.2 YPR in Bobby Slowik’s offense. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver will face stiff target competition with the arrival of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell (ankle) returning from injury, but Collins should still have plenty of upside as a high-end WR2 in an offense that’s expected to take a massive leap forward after last year’s success.

Adams’ agents have already refuted any talks of a trade, saying those rumors are “baseless” while adding, “There has been absolutely no trade talk — period.” Adams was one of the receivers featured on the Netflix series “Receiver,” and was heard saying on the sideline at one point that he had to “get out of here before I get killed.” While that can be interpreted in a few different ways, it’s no surprise that some would infer that Adams is looking for a trade out of Vegas. The veteran receiver joined the Raiders in 2022 to team up with former college teammate Derek Carr, only to see Carr benched at the end of the season and leave for the Saints during the 2023 offseason. Adams continues to be a high-end producer, but he’s stuck on a roster that isn’t expected to compete for a championship any time soon. It sounds like he’ll be ready to catch passes from Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew for 17 games when the time comes.

As we now know, Smith didn’t take the role, instead landing the offensive coordinator job with the Steelers. ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio later learned that part of the reason Smith didn’t take the job with the Jets was “because the role wasn’t clear.” On the one hand, it’s not surprising to learn that the Jets sought out an assistant for Hackett, whose struggles have been amplified since his one-and-done season as head coach of the Broncos in 2022. Hackett was brought in last season at the request of Aaron Rodgers, who has continuously stuck by the OC due to their previous relationship at Green Bay. Hackett, along with head coach Robert Saleh, both enter this season on the hot seat after any hopes of success in 2023 were dashed by Rodgers’ Achilles injury. Assuming Rodgers is healthy and playing well, Hackett should be fine. However, if things start to go awry, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Saleh turn over play-calling duties to someone else. The Jets’ first training camp practice is scheduled for July 24.

Tunsil underwent the procedure in February and is “expected to ease into the start of camp,” per Wilson. The veteran left tackle started 14 games for the Texans last season and was named to his fourth Pro Bowl in five years after allowing just five sacks on 20 pressures. His PFF pass-blocking grade of 85.4 ranked as the second-highest grade amongst all tackles (min. 300 pass-blocking snaps). Tunsil, who turns 30 in early August, reportedly “dealt with some swelling and tightness” last season, per a February report from Wilson. We’ll assume this wasn’t anything too serious and that he’ll be up to full speed in short order, barring any setbacks.