NFL Player News

Patrick (Achilles) is participating in Thursday's OTAs session, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

Patrick continues to work his way back from the left Achilles tear that cost him the entire 2023 season. As an ACL tear also wiped out his 2022 campaign, the 30-year-old wideout now hasn't suited up for an NFL game since 2021, and he likely would've been cut this offseason had he not agreed to a pay cut. Health permitting, there's opportunity for Patrick to carve out a role in Denver's wide receiver corps, which gets thin behind Courtland Sutton. The other top candidates to start in three-wide sets are Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin.

Odunze (hamstring) is expected to resume practicing next week, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Odunze participated in Chicago's first practice during the team's rookie minicamp earlier this month, but subsequently encountered hamstring tightness, as Dan Weiderer of the Chicago Tribune reports. The Bears seem to have been taking a cautious approach to the recovery of the rookie No. 9 overall pick, but it doesn't look like there's any real concern about his injury. Odunze will have plenty more time this offseason to build chemistry with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and to find his footing in what figures to be a starting role alongside DJ Moore and Keenan Allen.

Coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that Williams is "a man on a mission" and has made notable improvements this offseason, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

Williams hasn't yet lived up to his 12th overall draft capital from back in 2022, but he's also faced unique hurdles to begin his NFL career. His big-play ability is undeniable, as is the opportunity for a third playmaker to emerge in Detroit's passing game behind standouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta, though plenty of targets should be distributed to running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Potential for a year-three breakout is still there, but it depends on Williams truly logging an impressive offseason and earning consistent targets in a crowded offense.

The Raiders signed Bachman on Wednesday.

Bachman hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since playing in three contests for the Giants in 2021. The wideout turns 28 years old next week and has become more of a camp body in the NFL.

Raymond (knee) participated in the Lions' OTA session Wednesday.

He missed the entirety of the Lions' playoff run last season after being injured in the regular-season finale, but Raymond looks to be back to full health well in advance of training camp. Raymond is currently penciled in as the Lions' third receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams after Josh Reynolds left as a free agent and after Detroit didn't draft a single wideout last month. Raymond's primary competition will come from Donovan Peoples-Jones and 2023 seventh-round pick Antoine Green.

Woods (Achilles) took part in Wednesday's OTA session, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Woods, who had his six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy lifted in January, appears to have bulked up since last season. Additionally, the 2022 sixth-round pick appears to have moved past an Achilles injury that he sustained last April, costing him the entire 2023 season. Now that Woods is back on the field, he'll have an opportunity to compete for a depth role in a Cleveland wideout corps that's led by Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman.

Gray (shoulder) was spotted on the field during OTAs earlier this week.

Gray, who missed all of San Francisco's 2023 campaign due to a shoulder injury, appears to be fully healthy once again heading into the 2024 season. The 2022 third-round pick out of SMU saw limited work as a rookie, tallying just 10 receiving yards and one reception through 13 games. With the 49ers adding Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing in the 2024 NFL Draft, Gray will have to battle to earn a depth role in San Francisco's wide receiver room this offseason.

Whittington (hamstring) was spotted working out Tuesday during Rams' OTA session, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Whittington had been nursing a hamstring injury since early March, but he now seems to have moved past the issue. The 2024 sixth-round pick had an injury-riddled career at Texas, but he was still able to record 1,757 receiving yards and five touchdowns throughout his five years in college. Now that Whittington is healthy, he can compete for a depth spot in the Rams' wide receiver room this offseason.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that Pittman (knee) "should be fine" after he left the practice field early Wednesday, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

Steichen said Pittman "just bumped knees" during 11-on-11 drills. The Colts have no incentive to rush Pittman -- who's fresh off signing a three-year, $70 million extension -- back on the field, so it's possible he misses more of OTAs. Still, the No. 1 wideout ought to have plenty of opportunities to build chemistry with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson this offseason, as long as his knee injury is indeed only minor. Pittman managed a 109-1,152-4 receiving line across 16 games last season despite substandard quarterback play, so having a healthy Richardson back under center should raise his fantasy ceiling.

Pittman (knee) departed Wednesday's practice early after appearing to injure his knee during a collision in 11-on-11 drills, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Pittman was examined by trainers before limping off the field, and it appears safe to say that his on-field activities for Wednesday's session are over. The Colts should provide an update on Pittman's health soon, as he's entrenched as the focal point of the passing game after signing a three-year, $70 million contract earlier this offseason. In the meantime, second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson will be able to focus on developing chemistry with Josh Downs, rookie second-round pick Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce.