NFL Player News

Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show on Monday, Lions GM Brad Holmes said he "definitely would expect" Gibbs to "see more of the load" out of the backfield in 2024.

Holmes added that he thinks Gibbs will also be even more involved in the passing game in his second season. Only seven running backs saw more targets than Gibbs' 71 in 2023, and his 52 catches were tied for the ninth-most at the position. Backfield mate David Montgomery out-carried Gibbs, 219-182, but Gibbs had a commanding edge in the pass game with 47 more targets than the veteran. There's reason to believe Gibbs' touches will rise in 2024, but Montgomery isn't going away. This backfield will remain a one-two punch, and Montgomery is the favorite for carries when the Lions are trying to kill the clock when they have a lead. Gibbs' fantasy ceiling remains extremely high due to the overall explosive nature of Detroit's offense.

Brown was waived by the 49ers on Tuesday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Brown headed to San Francisco in February after appearing in 12 games over two seasons with the Rams. The Northwestern product will depart the team, along with center Corey Luciano, to make room for recent additions Chris Hubbard and Shakel Brown.

The 49ers signed Hubbard (biceps) to a one-year, $1.38 million contract Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Hubbard fills a need for San Francisco as a depth swing tackle. The veteran's 2023 campaign with the Titans came to an early end in Week 11 due to a biceps injury, from which he's now presumably recovered.

Coach Raheem Morris said Tuesday that McClellan (foot) will sit out practice due to injury, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Morris said the rookie sixth-round pick as well as Bijan Robinson (ankle), who is also tending to an injury, are both expected to be available for mandatory minicamp, as reported by D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It appears that McClellan is still not fully recovered from the foot injury that kept him from working out at either the NFL Combine or Alabama's Pro Day, but the Falcons expect him to be ready for practice sooner rather than later. He will need all the reps he can get to have any chance of carving out a notable role behind both Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

Claypool will have more competition for a roster spot after the Bills signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a one-year deal Tuesday.

The Bills seem to be signing as many journeymen wideouts with proven upside as they can this offseason, and seeing who can stick alongside highly touted rookie Keon Coleman and third-year man Khalil Shakir. For now, it looks like MVS, Claypool, Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins will battle for roster spots and positioning on the depth chart.

Coach Raheem Morris said Robinson will not participate in Tuesday's OTA practice due to an ankle injury, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Morris said that Robinson is expected to be on the field for Atlanta's mandatory minicamp, as is rookie Jase McClellan (foot), who is also currently sidelined. The insinuation that Robinson's injury is only a minor issue is a relief, but the situation will still warrant monitoring until such time as the star running back is officially back on the field. Robinson could be primed for a Year 2 breakout with the arrival of Kirk Cousins (Achilles) promising an improved Falcons offense, but for the rest of OTAs, Tyler Allgeier could get a chance to handle the top backfield reps.

The Bills are slated to sign Valdes-Scantling to a one-year contract worth up to $4.5 million Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Valdes-Scantling was released by the Chiefs back in February, and he now lands with another AFC powerhouse. Buffalo's revamped wide receiver corps, which lost Stefon Diggs via trade and Gabe Davis to free agency, could use a deep threat to complement Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel and rookie second-round pick Keon Coleman. Working as the No. 4 man on the depth chart could be an ideal situation for Valdes-Scantling to contribute, though if utilized only as a situation downfield target, he's more likely to slightly raise Josh Allen's ceiling than carry standalone value. Across 16 regular-season games last year, the 29-year-old compiled a career-low 21-315-1 receiving line.

Manning (undisclosed) cleared waivers and reverted to the Panthers' injured reserve list Monday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

The severity of Manning's injury is not yet known. The offensive guard will need to reach an injury settlement with the team to potentially play in 2024.

Stepp signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The running back carried the ball 97 times for 476 yards and three touchdowns over two seasons at Western Kentucky. Stepp transferred there after playing at Nebraska and USC. The rookie is now one of six backs on New York's depth chart.

El-Zayat signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The Eastern Michigan product caught 27 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns during his final collegiate season in 2023. El-Zayat will now get a chance to compete on a New York depth chart that is 12 wide receivers deep at the moment.