NFL Injury Updates: Trapilo, Horton, Hunter
Things were looking up for the Bears as they finished the season with a winning record for the first time since 2018, made the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and won a playoff game for the first time since 2010. They also seemed to have found a possible answer to their long-standing questions at left tackle, as well, but the team’s trip to the postseason threw a bump in the road for that answer when rookie second-round tackle Ozzy Trapilo suffered a torn patellar tendon, ending his postseason and guaranteeing at least some missed games in 2026 but possibly all of them, according to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Trapilo was patient as a rookie. Starting out on special teams duty, the Boston College product was asked to fill in at right tackle when starting left tackle Braxton Jones went down with injury and right tackle Theo Benedet, filling in for an injured Darnell Wright, flipped over to cover the blind side. Wright was able to return the next week to spell Trapilo after he had a rough outing in his first opportunity at extended time on the first-team offense. By Week 12 of the season, though, Trapilo got his second chance at a starting opportunity and was ready for it. Mainly a right tackle in college, Trapilo was asked to try his hand at the left tackle spot, and the team saw immediate results. Not having manned the spot with a consistently reliable name since Charles Leno, Jr.‘s six-year run ended in 2020, it seemed sunshine had broken through the clouds before Trapilo went down in the playoffs.
We were aware that Trapilo was expected to miss time in 2026, and expectations had grown to speculation of a lengthy absence, but head coach Ben Johnson‘s comments this week changed that picture a bit. Per Finley, the second-year head coach informed the media that the team isn’t sure if they “will get…Trapilo back at all (for the 2026) season.” The Bears have some options to utilize as they bridge the gap until Trapilo’s return, recently adding former Browns starting left tackle Jedrick Wills to the pair that started the season at the position last year, Jones and Benedet.
Here are a couple other injury updates from around the NFL:
- A promising rookie campaign for Seahawks fifth-round wide receiver Tory Horton was unceremoniously cut short when he suffered a shin injury and missed the second half of the season. According to general manager John Schneider (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson), Horton is still going to be limited for spring workouts, but he is expected to be ready to return in time for training camp. The second-year Colorado State product will be returning to a receiving corps that still includes Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, former triple crown-winner Cooper Kupp, and — added since the last time Horton played — the dangerous, speedy Rashid Shaheed.
- Lastly, a much-anticipated rookie year for Jaguars second-overall pick Travis Hunter was similarly cut short after only seven games when he underwent a season-ending LCL repair procedure. According to Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union, head coach Liam Coen relayed to the media this week that Hunter is “very well ahead of where he’s supposed to be,” in regard to his injury rehabilitation. He added that “the docs and athletic trainers feel really good about him.” Primarily working as a wide receiver in Year 1 and playing off the bench at cornerback, the two-way player is expected to play more defense upon his return from injury, receiving fewer offensive snaps next year, as a result.
Poll: Will Eagles Trade A.J. Brown?
The future of Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has been in question since he voiced his frustration with their offense on multiple occasions in 2025. The heat has turned up since the Eagles’ season ended with a listless offensive showing in a 23-19 loss to the visiting 49ers in the wild-card round. Trade rumors centering on Brown have persisted over the past two-plus months, and that may be the case for at least several more weeks.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has considered dealing Brown, though it does not appear that he will budge for less than a first-round pick as this month’s draft approaches. One GM confirmed to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe that the Eagles have asked for “a one and change” this offseason. It would come as a surprise if a trade occurs before or during the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports writes, as the finances would work heavily against Philadelphia.
Trading Brown before June 1 would leave the Eagles with a $43.51MM dead cap hit — a record for his position — and cost them $20.12MM in space. A trade on June 2 or later would enable the Eagles to spread the dead money over two years. They would take on $16.35MM in 2026 and $27.1MM in ’27, though parting with Brown would open up $7MM in breathing room next season. While that makes a summer swap more likely, Jones does not “get the impression” a deal will come together immediately on June 2.
As for teams that could acquire Brown, the Patriots, Chargers, Bills and Chiefs are reportedly on the three-time Pro Bowler’s wish list. Los Angeles, Buffalo and Kansas City have not shown much interest, though perhaps they or other teams will enter the sweepstakes depending on how the draft unfolds. L.A.’s more successful franchise, the Rams, engaged in talks with the Eagles, but a trade between the NFC powers is unlikely to occur.
On the other hand, it would not surprise anyone if the Patriots reel in the soon-to-be 29-year-old Brown. Even after adding ex-Packer Romeo Doubs on a four-year, $68MM contract in free agency, the Pats are considered the favorites to acquire Brown (there is a “broad assumption” they will, Volin writes). He would offer a more-than-capable replacement for the reigning AFC champions’ 2025 leading receiver, the released Stefon Diggs. Brown also has a strong relationship with head coach Mike Vrabel dating to their time together in Tennessee from 2019-21. Now a seven-year veteran, Brown registered two of his six 1,000-yard seasons as a Titan.
The Patriots or any other acquiring team would expect Brown to notch a fifth straight 1,000-yard campaign in 2026, but losing his consistently solid production would weaken a contending Eagles team. With Philadelphia expected to push for a third consecutive NFC East title next season, Roseman may be content to keep the Brown-DeVonta Smith receiver tandem intact. How do you expect this saga to play out?
What will happen with A.J. Brown?
G Kenyon Green To Work Out For Bucs
Former first-round pick Kenyon Green‘s four-year NFL career has not gone according to plan, but a fourth organization could soon give the free guard another chance. Green will work out for the Buccaneers next Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports.
Although Green was a two-time consensus All-American at Texas A&M, his dominance with the Aggies has not transferred to the pros since the Texans chose him 15th overall in 2022. The 6-foot-4, 323-pounder started 14 of 15 games as a rookie, but Pro Football Focus rated him the worst full-time guard in the league during a penalty-happy debut in which he struggled to protect quarterback Davis Mills.
The rest of Green’s Texans tenure didn’t go any better. After missing his entire second season with a torn labrum, a dislocated shoulder limited Green to 12 games (nine starts) in 2024. At the time the Texans placed him on IR, Green had allowed the most pressures (27) and sacks (five) among guards.
Houston pulled the plug on Green when it traded him to Philadelphia for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson as part of a late-round pick swap a year ago. The move was a swing and a miss for both sides. The Eagles cut Green before the season, while the Texans released the mercurial Gardner-Johnson last September after he groused about his role and feuded with teammates. Green caught on with the Ravens’ practice squad at the end of September, but they did not elevate him for any games.
Hoping to play his age-25 season in 2026, Green could compete for a backup spot in Tampa Bay if the team signs him. Green has played all his snaps at left guard, where the Buccaneers have a full-time starter in Ben Bredeson. Meanwhile, Cody Mauch is entrenched at right guard, though he and Bredeson missed a combined 21 games with injuries last season. With that in mind, it is no surprise the Buccaneers are eyeing guard depth. The Bucs brought back reserve interior lineman Dan Feeney last month, but backup guard Michael Jordan remains unsigned on the heels of an 11-game, nine-start season.
Roger Goodell Defends Rooney Rule, Addresses NFLRA Standoff
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended the Rooney Rule this week, indicating that the league will push back against an attack from Florida attorney general James Uthmeier.
“One thing that doesn’t change is our values, and we believe that diversity has been a benefit to the National Football League,” Goodell said (via ESPN’s Ben Baby). “We are well aware of the laws and where the laws are changing or evolving. We think the Rooney Rule is consistent with those.”
Goodell specifically noted that, contrary to Uthmeier’s assertion, the rule is not a mandate that forces teams to hire minorities. It merely requires that minority candidates be considered for top coaching and executive positions.
“The clubs make those decisions individually,” he added.
The Rooney Rule has resulted in expanded opportunities for minority coaches, though this year’s hiring cycle proved that it is still an imperfect system. Only one of the 10 open head coaching jobs went to a minority, which somewhat flies in the face of Uthmeier’s criticism.
“It’s intended to try to help, and it’s been used by industries far beyond football and far beyond the United States to help identify candidates, and a diverse set of candidates bring in better talent and give us an opportunity to hire the best talent, ultimately,” Goodell said.
The longtime commissioner also addressed the league’s ongoing standoff with the NFL Referees Association. He is hoping to reach a labor deal with the union soon, but is willing to use replacement officials if necessary.
“We will be prepared to play,” Goodell said. “We are taking appropriate steps to be ready, but we’re also keenly focused on negotiation. So we’d like to get a negotiated deal, and we certainly are focused on that.”
Makai Lemon Sets Up Four More Visits
As one of the best wide receivers in this year’s draft class, USC’s Makai Lemon has a chance to come off the board in the top half of the first round. Several teams with high picks have met or will meet with Lemon, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. In addition to the previously reported Titans (No. 4), Commanders (seventh) and Saints (eighth), the Jets (second and 16th), Giants (fifth), Chiefs (ninth) and Dolphins (11th) are on the list.
The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon lined up in the slot over 75% of the time during his three-year run in college. He got off to a quiet start with the Trojans in 2023, quarterback Caleb Williams‘ last season at the helm. Lemon caught just six passes in nine games, but he made significant progress in his final two seasons at USC.
After hauling in 52 passes for 754 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games in 2024, those numbers soared to 79-1,156-six in a dozen contests last year. Lemon earned the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best receiver in college football, and finished his USC tenure with just four drops in 33 games.
Whether Lemon is the best receiver in this year’s class is up for debate, especially with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate in the mix. But Lemon at least appears to be a surefire first-rounder. In ranking Lemon as the No. 12 prospect available, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com writes that comparisons to Lions superstar and fellow USC product Amon-Ra St. Brown are “warranted.” Considering St. Brown has amassed a record 547 receptions in his first five seasons, that’s lofty praise.
Expecting a St. Brown-like impact may be unrealistic, but Lemon should provide an upgrade to his next team’s receiving corps. He is probably not a candidate for the Jets at No. 2 overall, but if Lemon is still on the board for their second pick, they could grab him as a much-needed Garrett Wilson complement. In heading to the Giants, Lemon would replace departed slot target Wan’Dale Robinson and partner with No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers.
We learned Friday that Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice will not face a suspension for domestic violence allegations, but off-field issues and injuries have held him out of 23 games in his three-year career. Rice also has just one year left on his rookie contract. Regardless of whether he is part of the Chiefs’ long-term plans, their receiving corps could stand to improve around Rice and 2024 first-rounder Xavier Worthy.
Meanwhile, having traded Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos, the Dolphins clearly have the least talented cast of receivers in this bunch. Adding Lemon would give newly signed starting quarterback Malik Willis a second exciting weapon to pair with running back De’Von Achane.
Florida DT Caleb Banks Up To 8 Pre-Draft Visits
Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks has already completed pre-draft visits with the Chiefs, Ravens, and Cardinals, per Zach Goodall of 247 Sports. Remaining on the docket are the Lions, Titans, Broncos, Falcons, and Chargers.
The 23-year-old flew up draft boards after an impressive performance at the Combine, which featured a 5.04-second 40-yard dash and a 9-foot-6 broad jump at 327 pounds. The hype around Banks cooled after a pre-draft visit revealed a foot fracture suffered the night before he took the field in Indianapolis. Testing well on a broken foot is impressive, but after Banks missed most of the 2025 season due to a foot injury, teams are understandably wary of using a top pick on him. Banks underwent surgery in mid-March and is expected to miss some of his first NFL offseason program.
Medical concerns are almost certainly the driver behind his busy schedule. Teams will need to be comfortable with the state of his foot, especially given the multiple injuries.
But as far as talent and long-term upside goes, Banks is up there with the top defensive prospects in the draft. He checks every physical box with a 6-foot-6, 327-pound frame with 35-inch arms. His power and athleticism overwhelmed most college offensive linemen and led to constant disruption in the trenches. Banks will need to shore up his technique in the NFL, where he will not be as much of a size outlier, but he has all the tools to succeed.
It remains to be seen if Banks’ injury will drop him out of the first round. Teams are certainly interested, and it only takes one to be comfortable enough with his foot to lock him down as early as possible.
Bears Will Not Receive Draft Compensation For Ian Cunningham Hire
The Falcons’ decision to hire Ian Cunningham as their new general manager led to an initial decision by the NFL not to award compensatory draft picks to the Bears. Standard practice in recent years for minority hires has been for their previous employer to receive a third-round selection in two consecutive years.
The league’s stance in this case was that Cunningham will hold the GM title but will not operate as Atlanta’s top decision-maker in the front office. Indeed, Matt Ryan will serve as the team’s president of football and in doing so will outrank Cunningham and the rest of the Falcons’ management team. The Bears reached out to the NFL to discuss the mater further, but a reversal will not be forthcoming.
“The matter is now closed following the club’s appeal,” a league statement reads (h/t Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune). “The NFL informed the Bears today they will not receive compensatory picks. The policy is designed to provide picks for the Primary Football Executive position. The League determined Mr. Cunningham did not fill that role with the Falcons as it is defined in League rules.”
Ryan’s return to Atlanta brought with it questions about his ability to oversee the wide-ranging changes brought on during the 2026 hiring cycle due to his lack of expereince. Cunningham and new head coach Kevin Stefanski are now in the fold, and they will look to bring about improved play relative to the Raheem Morris/Terry Fontenot tandem. Cunningham’s first NFL general manager opportunity will come about with his hometown team.
The Bears will again be led in the front office by general manager Ryan Poles for 2026. Following Cunningham’s departure, Jeff King was promoted to the role of assistant GM. Those two and the rest of Chicago’s staff will move forward knowing no compensation will be coming the team’s way. The Bears currently own seven picks in April’s draft.
Chiefs’ Rashee Rice Will Not Face NFL Suspension
Following Rashee Rice‘s six-game 2025 suspension in connection with felony charges from a hit-and-run incident, the Chiefs wide receiver faced ugly allegations of domestic violence made by his ex-girlfriend.
The alleged victim, Dacoda Jones, filed a civil suit accusing Rice of repeatedly assaulting her between December 2023 and July 2025. In January, she displayed photos of injuries that Rice allegedly inflicted on her. Jones, who has two children with Rice, claims most of the alleged abuse occurred when she was pregnant.
On Friday, however, the NFL concluded Rice “has not engaged in conduct that violates the personal conduct policy,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. No suspension is coming at this time, per Schefter. This will be welcome news for Rice and the Chiefs, who have certainly run into a few high-profile off-field issues over the past several years. One season remains on Rice’s rookie contract.
Given the timing of this report, it certainly qualifies as a Friday news dump. Although the 25-year-old receiver was never charged with a crime, the NFL’s personal conduct policy has brought suspensions for players not charged criminally in the past. In this case, though, Rice will not enter a second straight season with a suspension.
Jones’ civil suit indicated “Rice has grabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, thrown, scratched, hit, and headbutted Ms. Jones, as well as hit her with inanimate objects.” Rice’s attorney, however, released a statement indicating that on October 9, 2025, “Ms. Jones stated under penalty of perjury in a sworn Affidavit for a Non-Prosecution that ‘Mr. Rice and I had a verbal argument, but he did not punch me.'”
Jones had alleged Rice physical abuse taking place for years; it is unclear if any cooperation issues interfered with this NFL investigation. That was the case when the league opted not to suspend then-Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill in 2019, after a second wave of domestic violence allegations surfaced against the All-Pro. Hill’s ugly college domestic violence incident preceding the 2019 accusations allowed the Chiefs to construct a team-friendly extension with the star receiver. Kansas City signed Hill to a three-year, $54MM extension with a favorable (for the club) guarantee structure. Rice is now extension-eligible, and because he was a second-round pick, no fifth-year option exists on his rookie contract.
The Chiefs drafted Rice a year after trading Hill to the Dolphins, and Rice helped make up for Skyy Moore‘s failed development as a second-rounder. Rice made a big impact for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII-winning team in 2023, totaling 938 yards and seven touchdowns. An LCL tear sustained in Week 4 of the 2024 season derailed the SMU product, who was down for over a year thanks to the six-game ban taking place to start the 2025 campaign. While the possession receiver returned and played well last season, he was active for just eight games; the Chiefs placed him on IR after a concussion. Though, the team parked a few key players on IR — including Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson — late in a lost season.
Had Rice been suspended under the personal conduct policy a second time, he would have been looking at an absence that covered more than half his contract year. Kansas City’s top receiver not being banned represents a break for the team, though off-field troubles that extend back to his time at SMU may still influence the Chiefs in this draft. Kansas City holds two first-round picks this year, the second obtained from the Rams in the McDuffie trade, and has seen Rice run into frequent trouble.
In May 2024, weeks after the street-racing accident, Rice was the subject of an investigation for alleged assault on a photographer. The accuser did not press charges, but it continued a trend of off-field problems dating to Rice’s time in college. During the 2023 pre-draft process, NFL teams became aware of an alleged incident in which Rice or a member of his party fired multiple shots into an empty car belonging to a member of SMU’s basketball team.
Rice faces a pivotal 2026 season, as he may be auditioning — based on how the Chiefs proceed early in the draft — for other teams as a prospective 2027 free agent. But the Chiefs have shown a high tolerance for off-field issues under Andy Reid. Rice being cleared today points to him being available to open the season and craft an extension case. The Chiefs hold exclusive negotiating rights with the wideout until March 2027.
NFL Mailbag: Browns, Cousins, Ravens, Lions, Draft, Cap
This week's edition of the PFR Mailbag dives into EDGE-related questions for a team in each conference. Questions on the Raiders' QB plan, the Ravens' offensive setup and more are also answered.
Tim asks:
Do you think the Browns SHOULD trade Myles Garrett? Isn't this the sell-high opportunity for a team that bungled the [Deshaun] Watson trade?
I’ve felt like the Browns’ best course of action with Garrett would be a trade for at least the past two years. That’s the case to less of an extent with each passing season, but it’s still easy to see the appeal in 2026.
Jags, Travon Walker Agree On Extension
Not long after James Gladstone expressed confidence some Jaguars extensions would be doled out, the highest-profile player included in that group has a deal in place. The Jags are extending Travon Walker, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.
The sides agreed on a four-year, $110MM extension, Rapoport adds, confirming $77MM will be guaranteed and $50MM locked in at signing. This deal comes two years after the previous Jacksonville front office agreed to terms with Josh Hines-Allen.
Details of these agreements regularly trickle out slowly, but we have the key particulars upfront. That certainly indicates satisfaction with the terms from the player’s side, with Walker’s agency confirming the details.
At $27.5MM per year, Walker becomes the 12th-highest-paid edge rusher. This market settles far south of where last year’s boom moved the EDGE market, with Aidan Hutchinson — chosen one spot after Walker in 2022 — being one of the key parties in that 2025 sea change. It also comes in below where the Trent Baalke regime settled with Hines-Allen, who is tied to a five-year deal that averages $28.25MM per annum.
Considering Trevor Lawrence is on a $55MM-per-year deal, extending a second edge rusher in this realm represents a substantial commitment from the Jaguars. Walker also is coming off a down season. That certainly stood to help the team in negotiations, and Rapoport indicates talks have taken place for weeks. Walker also checks in 12th in full guarantees but 10th in total guaranteed money. It will be important to know what the early guarantee triggers are on this deal — if any exist.
A report coming out of the league meetings indicated preliminary Jags talks with Walker, Parker Washington and Brenton Strange were unfolding. We certainly made it far past the preliminary stage, as Walker’s camp accepted an offer. It is worth wondering if the former No. 1 overall pick would have been amenable to a deal outside the top 10 at his position had he stayed on the trajectory he was on from 2023-24.
Leading off a brigade of Georgia defenders chosen in the 2022 first round, Walker broke through in 2023 with 10 sacks and 19 QB hits. Although the Jaguars declined in 2024, Walker stayed on track by racking up career-high marks in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (13). While the Jags rocketed to a 13-4 season in 2025 under Liam Coen, Walker regressed. He totaled 3.5 sacks, eight TFLs and 13 QB hits. His 19 QB pressures ranked 66th last season.
When Hines-Allen signed his five-year, $141.25MM extension, the salary cap stood at $255.4MM. It is now at $301.2MM. Had Walker come through with a third straight double-digit sack season, the Jags would have been unlikely to keep his second contract under $30MM per year. Jacksonville will pay Walker more than Denver authorized for two-time Pro Bowler Nik Bonitto in 2025 (four years, $106MM). That is a notable win here for a player without any Pro Bowl accolades.
It is impossible to examine Walker’s career without Hutchinson comparisons. We heard before the draft the Jags were split on choosing Walker’s upside over Hutchinson’s higher floor, one that stemmed from high-end production at Michigan. Baalke went with Walker, and the Lions benefited.
Hutchinson has two Pro Bowls on his resume and came back from a 2024 broken leg with a career-high 14.5 sacks to go with 35 QB hits last season. During the 2025 campaign, Hutchinson signed a monster Detroit extension (four years, $180MM). That deal, which included a defender-record $141MM guaranteed, trails only Micah Parsons among defensive players.
Baalke’s misstep gave the Lions a dominant pass rusher; it also helps the Gladstone regime sign a more affordable extension here. Walker still brings upside at 25, but he and Hutchinson certainly appear to be in different tiers as impact players.
This move is for a Baalke draftee, but it represents the third significant extension for Gladstone, who paid trade acquisition Jakobi Meyers weeks after landing him at the deadline. Meyers was brought in under Gladstone and Coen, while Walker joins offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen as a Baalke investment paid by the current regime.
The 2024 Jags offseason brought extensions for Lawrence, Hines-Allen and Tyson Campbell. Jacksonville’s current front office managed to move off the Campbell deal in a deadline trade for Greg Newsome, who has since signed with the Giants. Taking the Campbell contract off the payroll, the Jags also let Devin Lloyd walk in free agency. These decisions helped create room to afford Walker’s second contract. Walker was headed into a fifth-year option season ($15.2MM).
Gladstone and Coen will bet on Walker bouncing back in 2026. Hines-Allen, 28, has not notched a double-digit sack season since his franchise-record 17.5-sack slate in 2023. But he rebounded as a pressure artist under Anthony Campanile, tallying 48 — fifth in the NFL. The Jags will hope Walker (23rd and 22nd in pressures in 2023 and ’24, respectively) has a similar gear to reach in this defensive scheme.