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John Lynch: No Return Timetable For 49ers WRs Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings

August 7th, 2025 at 4:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

The receiver position remains uncertain in the case of the 49ers with Week 1 drawing closer. Both Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings are sidelined through injury, and in each case there is no firm timeline for a return.

Aiyuk continues to rehab the ACL and MCL tears which ended his 2024 campaign. Throughout the offseason, a main question for San Francisco has been his ability to return to full health in time for the start of the season. Aiyuk has been ahead of schedule, but as of last month a stint on the active/PUP list seemed likely in his case. Such a scenario would ensure at least a four-game absence to begin the campaign.

During a Thursday appearance on KNBR radio, 49ers general manager John Lynch said (via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News) he doubts Aiyuk will be able to play in the team’s regular season opener. He confirmed there is still no timetable in place, though, meaning it remains to be seen is an PUP stint will be deemed necessary. Aiyuk has four years remaining on the $30MM-per-year extension he signed last offseason.

Meanwhile, the 49ers continue to wait for Jennings’ return to action. A calf injury has him sidelined against the backdrop of a request for an upgraded contract. Jennings has not officially asked to be traded, per head coach Kyle Shanahan, but a report from last month stated he will seek a change of scenery in the absence of a raise being worked out through an extension. With nothing imminent on that front, Jennings continues to recover.

“Jauan’s working with our health and performance staff, trying to get back out on the field,” Lynch said of the 28-year-old (via David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone). “Jauan got his calf in the offseason, strained it, and calves can kind of linger, unfortunately. And came out, practiced some, and wasn’t feeling great, and so we’ve kind of put him off to the side… Don’t have any timetable, but we’ll see.”

Jennings enjoyed a career year in 2024 as the 49ers dealt with injuries elsewhere on the receiver depth chart. The decision to trade away Deebo Samuel helped set Jennings up for another season in a large offensive role. One year remains on the former seventh-rounder’s contract and he is owed $4MM for 2025. A strong season would help Jennings’ market for next spring, provided no extension is worked out before that point.

2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is in line to serve as a key figure in San Francisco’s passing attack provided he can remain healthy this season. The team also has veteran Demarcus Robinson and recent signing Robbie Chosen in the mix. Aiyuk and Jennings will each be important elements in the 49ers’ efforts to rebound from last year’s performance, but it is still unclear when either of them will be healthy.

Lions Place CB Ennis Rakestraw On IR

August 7th, 2025 at 3:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ennis Rakestraw will not play in 2025. The second-year corner was already known to be a candidate to miss time, but the Lions placed him on injured reserve Thursday.

Only players released via an injury settlement are eligible to play after being moved to IR at this point in the offseason. Given his status as a 2024 second-round pick, that will obviously not be the case for Rakestraw. After what was essentially a redshirt rookie season, this news is a major blow for team and player.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell recently said Rakestraw was going to miss time due to a shoulder injury. Surgery took place today, and NFL insider Jordan Schultz notes the procedure was a success. That is of course only a small consolation considering the fact Rakestraw’s rehab process will cost him the entire campaign.

The 23-year-old logged just 141 total snaps across eight games last season. A starting cornerback role was not in play since Detroit still has Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson in the fold and replaced Carlton Davis with D.J. Reed via free agency. Still, Rakestraw was in position to occupy a backup spot on the perimeter, so an injury to Arnold or Reed could have elevated him to first-team action. Now, the Lions’ secondary depth will be tested after the unit dealt with numerous injuries last season. Luq Barcoo and D.J. Miller were signed earlier this week.

Veteran Avonte Maddox represents an experienced option amongst the team’s remaining backups, although he is best suited for slot and/or safety duties. Rock Ya-Sin has spent his entire career as a corner, but the Lions have tried him at safety this offseason. In the wake of Rakestraw’s injury, it will be interesting to see that plan changes and Ya-Sin’s attention turns back to the cornerback position.

With nearly $48MM in cap space, Detroit can easily afford a one-year deal amongst the remaining free agents at the CB spot. Asante Samuel Jr., Rasul Douglas and Kendall Fuller are some of the veterans still looking for a gig at this point in the offseason. With a vacancy in the secondary, it will be interesting to see if the Lions pursue a contract with any member of that trio or another cover man on the market.

Cardinals, G Will Hernandez Agree To Deal

August 7th, 2025 at 2:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Will Hernandez is set to continue his career in the desert. The veteran guard’s recent Cardinals visit has produced a one-year agreement, he announced on Instagram Thursday. The team has since confirmed the move.

Late in July, Hernandez received full clearance upon completing the rehab process for his 2024 ACL tear. That made him one of the top free agent blockers on the market, and in short order the 29-year-old met with Arizona to discuss a new pact. Things have clearly gone well in that regard.

After playing out his rookie deal with the Giants, Hernandez has spent the past three years with the Cardinals. The former second-rounder initially took a one-year pact but was retained on a raise after his debut Arizona season. Hernandez has started each of his 35 games with his second career team, and he could reprise his first-team gig in 2025.

The Cardinals re-signed Evan Brown and he is in position to handle left guard duties. The other guard position is currently unsettled, however. As a result, Hernandez could fill that spot upon returning to the team. It will be interesting to see how large his workload is in training camp practices and preseason contests now that he is officially back in the fold.

Hernandez played on a $4.5MM-per-year pact when he re-signed with the Cardinals for the first time. Given his missed time last year, the UTEP product will no doubt be attached to a less lucrative deal this time around. Arizona entered Thursday with over $35MM in cap space, so this move will not affect any other roster moves planned for the near future.

2024 third-round pick Isaiah Adams started five games at right guard last season in Hernandez’s absence. He was the top option to handle that role on a full-time basis this season for much of the offseason, but things have now changed. With Hernandez in place once more, Adams will likely find himself as a backup option once again.

Bills CB Tre’Davious White On Track For Starting Spot

August 7th, 2025 at 1:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 2025 season will mark the beginning of Tre’Davious White‘s second stint with the Bills. The former All-Pro corner is on track to handle a first-team defensive role during his latest Buffalo spell.

Christian Benford is entrenched as the team’s top cover man. Taron Johnson, meanwhile, is preparing for his eighth season with the Bills and another as their starting slot corner. The second boundary CB role has been up for grabs this offseason, with White and first-round rookie Maxwell Hairston competing for it.

As ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg writes, the last starting cornerback position is “White’s to lose” at this point. Hairston recently went down with a knee injury which drew fears of a major ailment such as an ACL tear but turned out to be an LCL sprain. The Kentucky product is expected to recover in time for the regular season, but his rehab process is costing him valuable practice reps.

Hairston has also been named in a civil suit alleging sexual assault during his freshman year at college. The 22-year-old has denied the allegations and has received the backing of the Bills since being drafted. Hairston could miss time through league discipline in the event a league investigation were to conclude a violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy took place.

In any case, White is on track to be counted on heavily in 2025. The two-time Pro Bowler’s first Buffalo tenure included high-end play when healthy but also a pair of major injuries. After playing only 10 combined games between the 2022 and ’23 campaigns, White was cut last spring and played on two teams last season. Immediately after the campaign ended, though, it became clear the 30-year-old was interested in returning to Buffalo. A one-year deal was worked out in April.

White is a veteran of 93 appearances and 86 starts. If he can remain healthy, that experience will be welcomed on a Bills team once again aiming for a deep postseason run. A strong starting campaign from White would help a Buffalo team featuring Hairston as a potential successor but also his free agent market next spring.

Steelers Sign Andrus Peat, Logan Woodside

August 7th, 2025 at 12:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

In advance of their first preseason game, the Steelers have made a pair of additions. Offensive lineman Andrus Peat and quarterback Logan Woodside were signed on Thursday, per a team announcement.

Peat played for the Saints from 2015-23. During that span, the former first-rounder largely split his time between left tackle and left guard. Toward the end of his New Orleans tenure, Peat was exclusively used on the interior. That resulted in a stretch including three consecutive Pro Bowl nods (2018-20), but last offseason a fresh start was sought out.

On the open market, Peat took a one-year, $2MM pact with the Raiders. Doing so appeared to set him up to compete for a starting gig, but despite playing 15 games last season the 31-year-old logged only 57 snaps. After a lengthy stay in free agency this offseason, Peat will look to earn a roster spot with Pittsburgh as a veteran depth option.

Woodside has only 13 regular season appearances and no starts to his name. The former seventh-rounder is, however, a familiar face to Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The two worked together in Tennessee and again in Atlanta. With Aaron Rodgers and other starters not playing against the Jaguars on Saturday (per head coach Mike Tomlin), Woodside could find himself in the quarterback rotation.

That is especially true since sixth-round rookie Will Howard is currently dealing with an injury in his throwing hand. Tomlin said (via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) this is a short-term issue, adding Howard could be available to play later in the preseason. A broken finger is the issue in this case, as noted by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor; surgery will not be needed. In Rodgers’ absence and with Howard on the mend, Mason Rudolph should be in position to handle starting duties for Pittsburgh’s preseason opener.

To make from for the additions of Peat and Woodside, long snapper Tucker Addington and guard Nick Broeker have been waived. Provided both of them go unclaimed, they will become free agents and seek out a new opportunity during the closing weeks of the offseason.

Travis Hunter To Play Both Ways During Jaguars’ Preseason Opener

August 7th, 2025 at 12:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

A regular role on both sides of the ball has been planed in Travis Hunter‘s case throughout the offseason. He will make his Jaguars preseason debut this week, and time on offense and defense will be in store.

Jags head coach Liam Coen said this morning (via NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe) the team’s starters will play on Saturday against the Steelers. That includes Hunter, who will spend time at receiver as well as cornerback. Given the manner in which the Heisman winner’s practice workload has taken shape during training camp, today’s announcement comes as little surprise.

Still, Jacksonville’s decision to give Hunter game reps on offense and defense is noteworthy as the team evaluates how best to use the No. 2 pick. During the spring, the team made it clear no firm number was in place regarding how many snaps at either position Hunter would play in any given game. The 22-year-old’s workload could change on a week-to-week basis depending on matchups but also his ability to withstand a two-way role at the NFL level.

Jacksonville’s first unofficial depth chart lists Hunter as a starter at the receiver spot alongside Brian Thomas Jr. and Dyami Brown. Meanwhile, the Colorado product is a backup behind Jourdan Lewis and Tyson Campbell at the cornerback position. Like all other teams, the Jaguars will of course spend plenty of time with three cornerbacks on the field, though, so Hunter should be able to see a notable workload on the boundary when defending. Lewis is set to handle slot duties, something which will make the Jags’ safety competition one to watch as the rest of the summer plays out while leaving a number of snaps available for Hunter.

The Steelers will rest a number of their starters on Saturday, per head coach Mike Tomlin. The opposite is true of their opponent, and Hunter in particular will be worth watching closely as he and the Jaguars continue working toward a plan for his regular season workload.

WR George Pickens Open To Remaining With Cowboys Past 2025

August 7th, 2025 at 10:33am CST by Adam La Rose

Once his third Steelers campaign came to an end, it was decided George Pickens would not continue his career in Pittsburgh. A trade was ultimately worked out which allowed the Cowboys to add him to their receiving corps.

Pickens has one year remaining on his rookie deal, so an extension would have been possible upon arrival. Instead, the 24-year-old’s attention is focused on playing out his contract year, meaning this could prove to be a one-year rental for Dallas. Pickens’ first impressions with the Cowboys have been positive, though.

“Oh yeah, most definitely,” the former second-rounder said (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota) when asked if would be open to remaining in Dallas beyond the coming season. “Because I’ve watched the team for so long, and the camaraderie. I kind of understand the camaraderie more than I did in Pittsburgh… I think I definitely understand it more here, the people more here than I did [with the Steelers].”

Off-field issues such as character and punctuality were talking points during Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh. Head coach Mike Tomlin went as far as publicly noting the Georgia product needed to “grow up,” making it little surprise a parting of ways was deemed beneficial for all involved. Pickens striking an optimistic tone with respect to his acclimation with his new team only means so much before the regular season has even started, of course, but it is at least a positive start to his Dallas tenure.

The Cowboys have CeeDee Lamb attached to a $34MM-per-year pact through the 2028 season. He will be counted on to continue operating as the team’s No. 1 receiver this year and for many more after that, but intrigue exists with Pickens in the fold as the second member of what could be a strong tandem. Averaging 16.3 yards per reception across his three Steelers campaigns, Pickens established himself as one of the league’s best vertical threats. Another productive season this year will set him up well in free agency.

A second contract will be lucrative regardless of where it comes from if Pickens can deliver on expectations in 2025. At this point, at least, the door is open to his next pact allowing him to stay in place with the Cowboys.

Jaguars DT Arik Armstead’s Week 1 Availability Unclear

August 7th, 2025 at 9:44am CST by Adam La Rose

The 2025 season will see Arik Armstead return to his familiar defensive tackle spot after his trial phase along the edge with the Jaguars last year. It remains to be seen, however, if he will be on the field for Week 1.

Armstead has been dealing with a back injury throughout training camp. The 31-year-old managed to take part in individual drills for Jacksonville’s first eight summer practices, but he has been sidelined for the past three practices altogether. Head coach Liam Coen indicated (via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco) the team took a cautious approach with Armstead early in camp but added it is uncertain if he will suit up at the start of the regular season.

“He’s a veteran who, ultimately, he’ll probably know how to get himself ready to go, I would hope,” Coen said. “The key is just making sure that he’s healthy and ready to go for the first game. It’s a long season as we know. Now not to say that early [games] aren’t obviously as important as late ones, but it is a long season, and we’re really just trying to get him to be as healthy as possible.”

After seeing his nine-year 49ers tenure end last spring, Armstead inked a three-year, $43.5MM contract with the Jags. A rotational role along the edge resulted in a snap share of only 48%, the lowest of his career since his rookie campaign. The former first-round pick will look to take on a larger workload at the defensive tackle spot alongside DaVon Hamilton this season. Jacksonville ranked ninth against the run in 2024, and Armstead will be a key factor in determining if the team can remain strong in that regard while also aiming to provide a pass rush presence from along the interior.

None of the Oregon product’s base pay for 2026 is guaranteed. As a result, Armstead’s performance this season will be critical in shaping his financial future. Barring a positive turn with respect to his health situation, though, Armstead could be in danger of missing time in September.

Lions CB Ennis Rakestraw To Undergo Shoulder Surgery

August 7th, 2025 at 8:59am CST by Adam La Rose

Lions head coach Dan Campbell noted earlier this week that Ennis Rakestraw was likely facing a lengthy absence. The latest update regarding the second-year corner further indicates that will be the case.

A post from Rakestraw’s Instagram account (h/t MLive’s Kory Woods) demonstrates he is set to undergo surgery. A shoulder injury suffered during training camp resulted in Campbell’s recent remarks, and the issue is clearly serious enough to warrant a procedure. Rakestraw’s recovery will be something to monitor in the build-up to the regular season.

Selected in the second round of last year’s draft, Rakestraw did not make a major impression during his rookie campaign. Totaling just 141 total snaps (defense and special teams combined) across eight games, the 23-year-old is essentially coming off a redshirt campaign. A backup role on the perimeter is in store once Rakestraw is healthy, with the Lions set to use Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed and Amik Robertson as cornerback starters. Avonte Maddox is set to occupy a second-team role in the slot and at safety behind Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. 

Injuries were a concern in Rakestraw’s case during his college career. The Missouri product was limited to four games as a junior and nine in his senior campaign, but that missed time did not do much damage to his draft stock. Still, this latest ailment is obviously a setback for team and player with Detroit aiming for a healthier campaign than least season on defense and Rakestraw looking to establish himself as at least a role player for years to come.

On Monday, the Lions signed a pair of corners in Luq Barcoo and D.J. Miller. Those two will spend the remainder of training camp and the preseason attempting to carve out a roster spot. Meanwhile, Rakestraw will begin the rehab process shortly as he and the team await word on how long his absence is expected to last.

Jerry Jones, Micah Parsons Have Not Spoken Since DE’s Trade Request

August 6th, 2025 at 10:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jerry Jones has made an odd point of communicating directly with Micah Parsons during the superstar pass rusher’s contract negotiations, rather than taking the standard step of going through an agent. The Cowboys’ approach this offseason has irked Parsons to the point he became the rare Dallas player to request a trade.

Parsons outlined a number of issues with Jones’ tactics as he made the request, but he remains at Cowboys camp as a de facto hold-in. Despite Parsons’ presence, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer notes he and Jones have not spoken since the trade request. Jones and Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, have also not spoken since the trade ask emerged last week.

Although Jones described his stance as “urgent” regarding this Parsons matter, his actions do not align with that. The 37th-year owner said this past weekend Cowboys fans should not lose sleep over this standoff. The Cowboys do not intend to trade Parsons, but they appear no closer to extending him.

As it stands, the longtime owner/GM is not guaranteeing Parsons suits up for the Cowboys in Week 1. That still seems the most likely outcome, but this situation has veered off course compared to where the Cowboys were with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb last year. Even the 2019 Ezekiel Elliott holdout, resolved days before that season, did not lead to a trade request.

“No, absolutely not,” Jones said of guaranteeing Parsons will debut with the Cowboys in Philadelphia. “A big part of that is his decision. How would I know that?”

Jones and Parsons conducted extension talks this offseason. The parties disagreed over whether those were considered formal discussions, with Parsons preferring the Cowboys go through his agent. Unless a player is representing himself, agents negotiate contracts. Thus far, however, the Cowboys have only communicated with Mulugheta through exec Adam Prasifka. Days before Parsons’ trade request, negotiations were said to be going backward. Mulugheta reaching out to COO Stephen Jones did not lead to negotiations, according to Parsons, who added in his request the Cowboys have not contacted his camp for negotiations since Mulugheta’s overture went nowhere with ownership.

The Cowboys’ negotiating trends have baffled many, as Parsons’ price has undoubtedly risen since 2024 and throughout this offseason — as dominoes fell on the EDGE market. Parsons said the Cowboys told him last year they wanted to do a deal in 2025. Timeline-wise, this situation resembles Lamb’s due to the All-Pro wide receiver being unsigned to open training camp ahead of a fifth-year option season. Lamb’s deal did not come to pass until August 26, 2024. Lamb also held out and was not keen on a 2023 extension. That separates the WR’s saga from Parsons’, as the All-Pro defensive end said he was ready to talk terms before his fourth season.

With the Cowboys understandably prioritizing Lamb and Prescott — who both were entering contract years — over a player signed through the 2025 season, they have seen Parsons’ price rise. Parsons expressed confusion at the Cowboys’ hesitancy at multiple points this offseason. Jones did say, via Archer, he offered Parsons “a hell of a lot more than you think I did.” The owner also referenced a guarantee of “almost $200MM.”

That total would not stand to reflect a full guarantee, and a $200MM guarantee of any sort would point to the Cowboys reverting to their preference of a longer-term deal. Term length was reported to be a sticking point in these talks, as players are preferring shorter-term contracts amid annual cap spikes. No current defensive player is guaranteed more than $123MM (Myles Garrett). T.J. Watt‘s $108MM fully guaranteed — on a three-year deal — leads the pack in that more important category.

Opening their season on a Thursday night in Philly, the Cowboys have a bit less time than they did when they went down to the wire with Prescott last year. Tied to a $24MM fifth-year option salary, Parsons would lose weekly game checks worth approximately $1.41MM if he sat out. Excepting the 1993 Emmitt Smith situation (when the Hall of Fame running back missed two games amid a contract dispute), the Jones-era Cowboys have a track record for finishing these negotiations. How they go about getting there continues to generate confusion.

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