NFL Player News

Thursday, May 17

• 05/17/12 - 9:33AM ETDelone Carter : Undergoes Surgery on Thumb

  Carter required surgery to repair a thumb injury and did not participate in on-field drills in Wednesday's OTAs, the Indianapolis Star reports.

  He'll likely be fine by the time training camp begins, but it's something to watch since he had fumbling issues last season that reduced his playing time in the second half of the season. Carter will compete with Donald Brown and Vick Ballard for playing time this summer.

• 05/17/12 - 8:56AM ETStephon Gilmore : Could Start Soon

  Gilmore signed his rookie contract with the Bills on Thursday, The Buffalo News reports.

  Rookie holdouts are going to be a lot less common under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which really helps a team like the Bills that has traditionally watched their spending closely. Gilmore was said to have a good rookie camp. While he needs to get more physical as he adjusts to the pro game, he stands a chance at starting right away.

Monday, May 14

• 05/14/12 - 10:02AM ETBrandon Coutu : Signed by Jags

  The Jaguars have signed Coutu, Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union reports.

  Fellow kicker Josh Scobee's contract talks with the Jags have gone nowhere and he'll skip OTAs. Coutu gives the team both short-term and long-term insurance/leverage at the kicking position in the event Scobee's contract situation lingers.

• 05/14/12 - 9:51AM ETKenny Britt : More Surgery On Tap?

  Coach Mike Munchak acknowledged Sunday that Britt -- who is bouncing back from both a torn AC and MCL - might require a second procedure on his knee at some point, NFL.com reports.

  While it's no lock that will be the case, even hinting at such a possibility suggests the wideout's knee remains a concern. "I think it always is (possible)," Munchak said of the possibility of another knee procedure for Britt. "I don't know if he will at some point, but I think that's something that's common with that injury." In any case, given Britt's status, it's completely justifiable that the Titans took fellow wideout Kendall Wright in April's draft.

• 05/14/12 - 8:45AM ETRussell Wilson : In the Starting Conversation?

  Wilson will compete for the starting quarterback job in training camp with Tarvaris Jackson and Matt Flynn, the Seattle Times reports.

  Coach Pete Carroll made the announcement after Seattle's three-day rookie minicamp this weekend. "He did an excellent job of demonstrating that he is prepared for this," Carroll said. " ... He left really no question that he needs to be involved in the competition." It would be highly surprising if Wilson won the starting job, or even the backup job. Carroll is a big believer in camp competition at every position, and this appears to be little more than ramping up the QB competition. Then again, Jackson is likely only a fall-back option, so if Flynn doesn't pan out, Wilson could get a serious look at the job.

Sunday, May 13

• 05/13/12 - 8:27PM ETTim Hightower : Back With Washington

  Hightower (knee) has agreed to a contract with Washington, the Washington Post reports.

  Hightower is rehabbing a torn ACL that he suffered last October, but he could be ready early enough in the season to challenge Roy Helu and Evan Royster for significant playing time.