Texans S Jimmie Ward’s Case To Proceed To Grand Jury
Jimmie Ward will be unavailable for at least the first four weeks of the campaign, but it remains to be seen when he will be available to the Texans even when healthy. 
Last week, Ward was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list pending the outcome of his legal case. The 34-year-old was arrested in June on an assault family violence charge, which is a third-degree felony. An arrest also took place in August after Ward violated the conditions of his bail by consuming alcohol. The matter of the family violence charge is now set to be presented to a grand jury.
“We are prepared to present a strong packet to the grand jury to show that Jimmie should not be indicted,” Ward’s attorney Steve Jackson said in a pair of statements to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. “We believe we have strong information and facts to assist the grand jury to no-bill Mr. Ward.”
Jackson’s submission is due tomorrow, and it is currently scheduled to be presented to the grand jury later this week. The outcome of that process will determine if the criminal case proceeds or if Ward is no-billed and charges are therefore dropped. Regardless of how that plays out, Ward will also have a civil suit stemming from the alleged incident to attend to.
The commissioner’s exempt list is generally reserved for domestic violence cases, so it comes as little surprise Ward finds himself on it for the time being. The 11-year veteran is prohibited from practicing or playing while on the list, although he was slated to begin the year with a reserve/PUP designation anyway. Ward will thus be sidelined during September while recovering from offseason foot surgery.
The longtime 49ers defensive back has one year remaining on his contract and he is owed $3.25MM in 2025. It remains to be seen when Ward will be eligible to return to the Texans’ active roster (if at all), but clarity on his criminal case emerge shortly.
Dolphins OLBs Coach Ryan Crow Arrested On Domestic Battery Charge
SEPTEMBER 1: Crow has been placed on indefinite administrative leave while his case plays out, head coach Mike McDaniel said on Monday (via Wolfe). Senior defensive assistant Sean Ryan will take on the responsibilities of outside linebackers coach in his absence.
AUGUST 29: Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow was arrested this early this morning on a domestic battery charge, as noted by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
The arrest by Fort Lauderdale police has led to a stay in Broward County, FL.’s main jail without bond, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques adds. An on-scene investigation by police shortly after midnight led to the arrest on a misdemeanor battery charge. According to Louis-Jacques, the alleged victim was not seriously injured and declined attention.
“We are aware of the serious matter involving Ryan Crow and currently gathering more information,” a Dolphins statement reads. “Ryan has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. We have been in communication with the NFL and will reserve further comment at this time.”
Crow began his pro coaching career in 2018 with the Titans. He served as a defensive assistant for two years in Tennessee before a single season as a special teams assistant. From 2021-23, he worked as the Titans’ outside linebackers coach. The 37-year-old joined Miami’s staff last offseason in the same role.
The likes of Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson are set to handle key roles along the edge in 2025. The Dolphins may enter the campaign shorthanded on the sidelines based on the outcome of this case, however. Miami does not have a designated assistant outside linebackers coach, so it is unclear who would take over from Crow in the event he were to miss game time as a result of this alleged incident.
Steelers Extend RB Jaylen Warren
Retained on an RFA tender this spring, Jaylen Warren has received a new commitment from the Steelers. The fourth-year running back received an extension on Monday, per an announcement from his agency. 
This new pact is two years in length, Warren’s agency announced. As a result, he is now under contract through 2027. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes the contract will pay out over $7MM this season and includes $12MM guaranteed. Colleague Mike Garafolo adds the total compensation owed across the next three years is nearly $17.5MM. A $5.95MM signing bonus is present in the pact, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The coming campaign will represent the first year Warren, 26, operates as Pittsburgh’s lead back after Najee Harris departed in free agency. Before the start of the season, the Steelers have made a notable investment. How he fares in an increased role will be critical to the team’s new-look offense.
Warren received the second-round RFA tender just before the start of free agency in a move which prevented him from testing the market. The tender is valued at $5.35MM, a notable step up from his previous earnings in the NFL. The details available so far on this pact demonstrate it is a strong sign Warren will be counted on as Pittsburgh’s RB1 beyond 2025.
The former UDFA flashed potential during his rookie season by averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Warren received 149 carries the following season and averaged 5.1 yards per attempt (a stark contrast to Harris’ efficiency). Pittsburgh declined Harris’ fifth-year option last offseason, an indication 2024 would be his final year with the team. That proved to be the case, with the former first-rounder joining the Chargers in March and the Steelers electing to move forward with Warren atop the depth chart. The Oklahoma State product has never handled a snap share higher than 49% to date, but that is likely to change this year.
Pittsburgh added Kenneth Gainwell in free agency before selecting Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the draft. Those two will handle complementary roles in 2025, with Gainwell being added on a one-year deal. Johnson could take on a larger workload over the course of his rookie contract, but today’s news means Warren will remain in place for most of that time. It will be interesting to see how the backfield workload gets split up over the coming months.
Warren’s ability as a receiver allowed him to amass 1,154 scrimmage yards in 2023. His production took a step back last year, a season in which he missed two games. After scoring just one touchdowns as a rookie and again in 2024, improvement in that capacity will be a target for team and player. Plenty of time remains for Warren to find the end zone with increased regularity though, as he will continue in the team’s offensive plans for the foreseeable future.
Bengals Sign DT Mike Pennel
Mike Pennel has a deal lined up in time for Week 1 shortly after becoming a free agent. The veteran defensive tackle is set to join the Bengals, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. 
This will be a practice squad arrangement, per Fowler. An elevation to the active roster could be in store in relatively short order, though. Pennel is a veteran of 125 appearances and 25 starts in the NFL. His Cincinnati signing is now official.
Pennel played on a one-year Chiefs pact in 2024, and he was retained by Kansas City in March on a contract of the same length. That appeared to set up the 34-year-old for a third consecutive Chiefs campaign during his second stint with the franchise. Pennel was among the team’s roster cuts last week, however.
Instead of remaining in place on Kansas City’s practice squad, the former UDFA will head to Cincinnati. The Bengals will be Pennel’s sixth career team, with his second Chiefs stint being preceded by time with the Packers, Jets, Falcons and Bears. Never a full-time starter on defense or a known presence in the pass rush department, he set a new career high with three sacks in 2024.
Pennel will look to carve out a role along the defensive interior whenever he finds himself on the active roster. The two-time Super Bowl winner is joining a group featuring returnee B.J. Hill, free agent signing T.J. Slaton and 2024 draftees Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson. Cincinnati ranked 19th against the run last season, and improvement in that department will be a goal under new defensive coordinator Al Golden.
The Bengals entered Monday with roughly $17MM in cap space, more than enough afford what will be an inexpensive Pennel addition. It will be interesting to see how early he receives a gameday elevation or winds up being promoted to the active roster.
Chiefs, CB Trent McDuffie Will Not Reach Extension Agreement Before Week 1
Both guard Trey Smith and edge rusher George Karlaftis have finalized long-term Chiefs extensions this offseason. Cornerback Trent McDuffie has long been known to be high on the list of players next in line for a deal of their own. 
Talks on an extension for the 24-year-old have taken place through the summer, with the goal emerging of an agreement being reached in time for Week 1. With days remaining before Kansas City’s season begins on Friday, however, that will not be the case. ESPN’s Nate Taylor reports a deal is not expected in time for the Chiefs’ opening game.
“Moving forward now, really, it’s just about the season and about [Friday’s] game,” McDuffie said (via Taylor). “I’m not too worried about the contract. That can just happen in the [next] offseason. Let’s just go out there and have a great year.”
Extensions can of course be finalized during the campaign, but based on McDuffie’s comments that is unlikely in this case. Kansas City picked up his fifth-year option this spring, meaning a 2026 salary of $17.6MM is in store. A multi-year pact will cost much more on an annual basis, something illustrated by this year’s movement in the cornerback market. Jaycee Horn secured $25MM per year with the Panthers before Derek Stingley Jr. moved the bar to $30MM on his Texans extension. Most recently, the Jets have made Sauce Gardner the top earner at the position with an average of $30.1MM annually.
McDuffie will look to join the elites at the CB position whenever his second Chiefs contract is in hand. Kansas City does not have a long history of committing to corners on a lucrative deal in recent years. Charvarius Ward was allowed to depart in free agency in 2022, and last offseason saw the team place the franchise tag on L’Jarius Sneed before trading him. With two All-Pro nods (first-team in 2023, second-team in ’24) to his name already, McDuffie is an obvious candidate to be treated as an exception from an organizational standpoint.
As Taylor notes, conversations about an extension have taken place over the past six weeks. Since no agreement was reached during that time, however, attention will turn to the coming season. The Chiefs’ efforts to return to the Super Bowl will depend in large part on how McDuffie fares in leading a secondary which added Kristian Fulton in free agency. Another standout campaign would stand to raise the value of a new pact in McDuffie’s case when negotiations resume in the middle of the season or next spring.
Chargers DC Jesse Minter Potential 2026 HC Candidate?
2025 marked a new era in many respects for the Chargers. First-time general manager Joe Hortiz was brought in to pair with head coach Jim Harbaugh, who revamped the team’s staff. 
That process included bringing in familiar faces for offensive (Greg Roman) and defensive (Jessie Minter) coordinators. Los Angeles’ defense improved from No. 24 in points allowed in 2023 under Derrick Ansley to No. 1 in Minter’s first season at the helm of the unit. Another strong season could result in head coaching interest.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe names Minter as one of the top candidates to watch regarding future head coaches (subscription required). An NFL executive was “adamant” Minter will be leading a team as early as the 2026 campaign. The 42-year-old has been in coaching dating back to 2006.
Minter worked his way to the coordinator level in college before joining John Harbaugh‘s Ravens staff in 2017. A four-year Baltimore stint was followed by a return to the college ranks, and Minter spent one season as Vanderbilt’s defensive coordinator before holding that same position at Michigan for the 2022 and ’23 seasons. After winning the national championship with the Wolverines, Minter followed (Jim) Harbaugh to the Chargers last offseason.
Los Angeles ranked a middling 14th against the run in 2024, something which contributed to an 11th-place finish in total defense. The team posted a No. 7 rank against the pass, though, and after making a number of moves in the secondary this spring expectations will remain high in that regard. The Chargers reached the postseason with a record of 11-6 despite playing in the highly competitive AFC West.
The division figures to once again offer a number of challenges in 2025. The Bolts are among the contenders to take a step forward regarding postseason success this year; if that takes place (or at least if the team remains effective on defense), it would come as little surprise if Minter were to receive interest for one or more head coaching vacancies next winter.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/30/25
Saturday’s NFL taxi squad moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Ryan Flournoy
- Released: OL Saahdiq Charles
Flournoy was waived on Thursday, but he went unclaimed yesterday. That allowed for the 25-year-old to remain in Dallas via a practice squad agreement. Charles – who was retained on the taxi squad following roster cuts – is out of the organization for now, but ESPN’s Todd Archer notes he could return at some point.
Bears’ LT Situation Still Unsettled
Darnell Wright is set to spend his third straight season as the Bears’ starting right tackle. A central aspect of Chicago’s offseason was a complete renovation along the interior of the offensive line, with guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson being acquired via trade and center Drew Dalman arriving in free agency. 
Those moves should help Caleb Williams avoid taking as many sacks in 2025 as he did during his rookie season. Crucially, though, Chicago’s left tackle spot has been a question mark throughout the offseason. New head coach Ben Johnson has overseen an open competition through training camp and the preseason. With the team’s exhibition games in the books, no standout option has emerged.
“I think we’re going to have a starter Week 1, and we’ll go from there,” Johnson said (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “I said it a few weeks ago – we feel good about the guys we have in that room. Someone’s gonna take the bull by the horns and is going to completely take over. But we’re not afraid to make a change if the performance isn’t where it needs to be.”
Incumbent Braxton Jones was fully cleared late last month after ankle surgery. That has allowed the pending 2026 free agent to work with the starters in training camp, but he has not done enough for Johnson to declare him the winner of the competition. Second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo has had opportunities on the blindside as well as right tackle this summer. The same is also true of 2024 undrafted free agent Theo Benedet, who did not see any regular season game time last season.
The other player who has represented an option (albeit never the top one) in the left tackle contest is Kiran Amegadjie. Drafted in the third round last year, the Yale product made six appearances and one start as a rookie. Amegadjie could see time at left tackle in 2025, but general manager Ryan Poles said this week (via Scott Bair of the Marquee Sports Network) he will begin working at guard as well.
As such, Jones remains the likeliest candidate to start in Week 1. The 26-year-old has started each of his 40 games to date, but 11 missed contests across the past two seasons have proven to be an issue. A healthy slate in 2025 would be critical in determining Jones’ market value next spring. Based on Johnson’s comments, though, it is still unclear if Jones or any one other player will receive the left tackle nod throughout the campaign.
Dolphins Open To Christian Wilkins Reunion
During his five-year run in Miami, Christian Wilkins served as an impactful contributor in a full-time starting role. His big-ticket free agent deal with the Raiders did not go according to plan, however. 
Wilkins – who inked a four-year, $110MM deal last spring – was limited to just five games in 2024. Multiple foot injuries (along with the decision not to undergo surgery for the second one) were among the reasons Vegas’ new regime elected to move on. Wilkins was released roughly one month ago, and he remains unsigned with just days remaining until Week 1.
Reports about an incident with a Raiders teammate – which resulted in an HR complaint – came out alongside other alleged episodes back to Wilkins’ college days. A grievance has been filed over the matter of his remaining guarantees, something which will have notable cap consequences for Vegas regardless of how it plays out. Other teams are free to pursue a deal at any time, though. A reunion in Miami is not imminent, but the door could be open to one.
“I don’t think we would ever close our minds on anything,” Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said when asked about Wilkins (via Barry Jackson the Miami Herald). “Haven’t had any conversations about it. We would be open to it because while he was here, he was a very good player for us.”
With roster cuts in the rearview, it would come as a surprise if the Dolphins were to make any major additions this close to the start of the campaign. The team already has one major DT contract on the books in the form of the recent Zach Sieler extension, and Miami’s first-round pick in this year’s draft was used on Kenneth Grant. Those two figure to play prominent roles along the defensive interior for years to come. The Dolphins are also currently near the bottom of the NFL in terms of cap space ($4.33MM).
Wilkins, 29, was a strong run-stopping presence during his Miami tenure and easily set a new career high with nine sacks in 2023. That figure helped make him one of the top free agents on the market last spring, something which is certainly not the case at the moment. It will be interesting to see if Wilkins finds a suitor over the coming days, and whether or not the Dolphins turn their attention his way at any point.
Micah Parsons Attempted To Restart Cowboys Extension Talks Prior To Trade
One week before the start of the regular season, the Cowboys and Packers completed a landscape-altering trade. Micah Parsons will play out his second contract in Green Bay after talks with Dallas did not produce a deal. 
Further details on the process which ultimately resulted in Parsons landing a record-breaking investment for non-quarterbacks have emerged. The four-time Pro Bowler and his camp spent a lengthy period without negotiations taking place, with owner Jerry Jones attempting to stick to the terms spoke about during the spring. Agent David Mulugheta was not present for that conversation, something which proved to be a central talking point in this saga.
In the aftermath of the trade, Parsons told NFL Network’s Jane Slater he and his camp went to the team in a bid to reengage on contract talks once reports emerged about a trade being possible in recent days. The two-time All-Pro said Dallas’ response was for him to commit to playing on his fifth-year option or to “leave.” During Thursday’s press conference, Jones confirmed (via colleague Mike Garafolo) that was the team’s stance leading up to the trade being finalized.
“We do have players that come in, and we totally respect it, that say, ‘I don’t feel comfortable talking about my contract. I’d like you to go through my agent,'” COO Stephen Jones said during the presser (via Garafolo). “And we do that respectfully. I mean, you’re not required to come in and negotiate the contract yourself. All the ones we’ve done like that are those who request to come in and visit with Jerry or myself. That’s the only ones we’ve done that way.”
Among Jerry Jones’ many comments on the situation was the claim he offered to make Parsons the top earner for non-quarterbacks during the unofficial spring contract talks. A report from yesterday indicated the deal discussed was five years in length and averaged $40.5MM per season. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe confirms (subscription required) those were indeed the terms presented by Dallas. In the end, Parsons landed $47MM on average – along with massive guarantee figures – on a four-year Packers extension. Term length is often a point of contention regarding Cowboys contract talks, with the team preferring longer pacts.
As the Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb deals indicated last offseason, though, Jones and Co. have been willing to compromise with four-year accords. That did not prove to be the case with Parsons. As a result, the 26-year-old is on the move just before Week 1. The deteriorating relationship between team and player in this case included a trade request being issued on August 1, something which is commonplace during extension talks. Jerry and Stephen Jones added during the press conference (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport) they never felt as if Parsons genuinely wanted to leave, though.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes the length of Dallas’ offer appears to have been an issue. He adds the Penn State product’s behavior shifted over the course of the summer as this situation played out; Parsons attended walkthroughs and team meetings but did not take part in on-field drills during training camp. His decision to lay on medical table during Dallas’ final preseason contest became a talking point (and was immediately followed by a meeting with head coach Brian Schottenheimer). Jerry Jones noted that episode did not impact the decision to move forward with a trade.
“We’ve certainly got a new coaching staff and a third of all the players are new,” Jones said (via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News) when reflecting on the Parsons trade and the Cowboys’ 2025 prospects. “And obviously there is freshness, we’ll use the word new on that basis. We have the highest-paid player in the NFL at quarterback and we made that commitment last year and we’re proud we made it. It had everything to do with this decision. It gives us every opportunity with Dak Prescott, Lamb and the base that we got to win now.”
Observers are skeptical about Dallas’ defense improving in the short term without Parsons in the fold, although the inclusion of defensive tackle Kenny Clark in the package sent from Green Bay will help the Cowboys’ run defense. The fate of the two first-round picks Dallas also received will be key in telling the final story of this trade. For now, all parties are positioned to move forward after a last-minute effort to work out a Cowboys extension was shut down.