NFL Player News

Taylor signed a one-year contract with the 49ers on Tuesday, Lindsey Pallares of the team's official site reports.

Taylor started his career in San Francisco before a two-year stay with the Bengals, and he spent the 2023 campaign with the Bears. The 29-year-old will have the opportunity to earn a role in the return game with the Niners after the departure of Ray-Ray McCloud in free agency this offseason.

Taylor has talked to the 49ers about a potential return to the team, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Taylor was selected by San Francisco in the fifth round of the 2017 Draft and spent three seasons there before stops in Cincinnati and Chicago. The 49ers do currently have a void in their return game, with Ray-Ray McCloud now in Atlanta, which is likely where the interest in Taylor lies.

Watson (shoulder) said Tuesday he's already resumed "throwing full speed" but that he's uncertain how large a workload he'll handle during OTAs and minicamp, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Watson clarified that certain members of the Browns' medical staff are in favor of a more conservative approach to the quarterback's recovery from right shoulder surgery, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, which would have him wait until training camp to fully practice. Still, Watson is confident he'll be available for the Browns' season opener, and there appears to be no real worries about his Week 1 status. In case Watson misses part of the offseason, or struggles during the fall, Cleveland can lean on experienced backups Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said Tuesday that there's "nothing imminent" on a deal between Beckham and the team, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Beckham was reportedly extended a contract offer by Miami after visiting with the team back in March, but it doesn't appear that a signing is around the corner. The 31-year-old is coming off a forgettable 14-game season with the Ravens in which he put up a 35-565-3 receiving line, but he could find more success as a No. 3 option behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. It could be that Beckham will need to wait until after the dust of the 2024 NFL Draft has settled to find a landing spot.

General manager Chris Grier said Tuesday that he expects the Dolphins to pick up Waddle's fifth-year option, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

The Dolphins have consistently stated a desire to come to terms with Waddle on a long-term contract, and Grier specifically dismissed trade rumors earlier this offseason. The third-year pro has recorded three straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career, becoming the first wideout to do so in franchise history, and there's little question of his value as a No. 2 read behind Tyreek Hill. Picking up Waddle's fifth-year option will keep him under contract with the Dolphins for two more seasons.

Decker said Tuesday he underwent foot/ankle surgery this offseason and resumed working out mid-February, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

Decker appears already recovered from his offseason procedure. The 30-year-old left tackle missed only two regular-season games last season while suiting up for all three of Detroit's postseason contests. Now heading into the final year of his contract, Decker is still playing at a high level.

Sutton (ankle) wants a new contract and hasn't reported to voluntary OTAs, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Sutton has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $60 million extension, scheduled for a $13 million base salary in 2024 ($2 million guaranteed) and then $13.5 million in 2025 (no guarantees). He scored a career-high 10 touchdowns in 16 games last season, though 90 targets were his fewest since 2020 -- the year he suffered an ACL tear Week 1 -- and he still hasn't come close to matching his career-high 1,112 yards from 2019. The 28-year-old won't necessarily hold out from mandatory team activities later this spring, but the situation is at least worth keeping an eye on until he gets an extension or contract adjustment, or otherwise reports to the Broncos. There's been no indication of his Week 18 ankle injury lingering into the offseason, with the main concern at this point being the lack of a starting-caliber QB on Denver's roster. The team also appears thin at wide receiver, where the starting job across from Sutton could end up going to any of Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims, Tim Patrick (Achilles) or Brandon Johnson.

Higgins signed a one-day contract with the Browns on Tuesday to retire as a member of the team, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Higgins entered the league as a 2016 fifth-round pick, playing the first six seasons of his career with Cleveland before a three-game stint with the Panthers back in 2022. With the Browns, Higgins totaled 137 catches for 1,890 yards and 12 touchdowns across 82 games.

Jean-Charles re-signed with the Saints on Monday, Howard Balzer of GoPHNX.com reports.

Jean-Charles was not tendered by New Orleans as a restricted free agent, but he will return to the team nonetheless. After spending his first two seasons in Green Bay, the 25-year-old suited up for eight games between the 49ers and Saints in 2023. He accumulated four tackles (three solo) in the process. The Appalachian State product will now look to make an impression during offseason workouts.

The Packers re-signed Wilson on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

An undrafted rookie in 2023, Wilson made the Packers' initial 53-man roster following the preseason and even mixed into seven regular-season games, taking 14 carries for 85 yards and hauling in four of five targets for 23 yards while working behind Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Green Bay swapped out Jones for Josh Jacobs and also retained Dillon this offseason, meaning Wilson is poised for a similar role in the coming campaign, barring further additions to the backfield in free agency or the draft.