NFL News & Rumors This Week: WRs Get Paid, QB Starters + Fantasy Help

Maiocco said Aiyuk is “doing really well” in his ACL and MCL injury recovery, saying the knee is even ahead of schedule.” However, the 49ers “want to be extra cautious with him” and “the feeling inside the organization has always been don’t take any chances.” Maiocco expects Aiyuk to be placed on the PUP list when veterans report to training camp on July 22nd and to remain on the PUP list when the regular season begins. Returning in Week 5 or Week 6 is “quite possible” and Maiocco believes Aiyuk will be “getting up to speed quickly.”

There is more to learn about Harris’ injury specifics and his road to recovery, but this is good news. A surface-level injury suffered by the eye is, of course, different than an elbow abrasion. But from a vision standpoint, Harris is seemingly expected to be in football shape come September after suffering an eye injury that resulted in two hospital visits just last weekend. We will wait for more details to fully assess his 2025 outlook, though it stands to reason that the coaching staff will safely ease him into live action.

The incident reportedly occurred at 12:20 a.m. on July 5th. Per the report, “the nature and severity of Harris’ injury could not immediately be verified” and “officials said that other people had been hurt in the blast, but did not specify their number or how severely any of them had been injured.” Harris reportedly visited two hospitals following the accident. Neither the mode of transport nor the reason for the relocation was shared. Rumors swirled online and locally earlier today about the nature of the injury, but details have been difficult to come by and “Antioch police said on Thursday they were still investigating the incident actively.”

Robinson “was ordered to pay a $390 fine and to complete court-mandated programs, including a three-month alcohol education program.” He was arrested in November 2024 after being observed by police officers driving more than 100 MPH. The arrest occurred while Robinson was a member of the Rams. Robinson could still be suspended by the league, but a ruling has not yet been given. The 49ers reportedly knew that a suspension was possible when they signed him this offseason.

Last August, the NFL approved just “three private equity firms and a consortium of firms” as potential NFL-team investors, for minority stakes that are not to exceed 10.0 percent. The Carlyle Group is one such firm, where Howell works as an “operations executive in The Carlyle Group’s aerospace and defense investment team.” He earned $3.4 million in the role last year. Although Howell’s department does not directly overlap with a potential NFL investment, a union lawyer asked him “to consider resigning from the private equity firm to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.” Howell also notably serves on three boards of directors, including GE HealthCare, Moody’s and ManTech, earning six-figure compensation with at least two of them. Per the report, “longtime union observers and executives said they find it baffling that Howell would continue to work at The Carlyle Group while leading the union,” and Jim Quinn, the NFLPA’s former lead outside counsel, notes that neither of Howell’s predecessors were allowed to be paid for outside work. The NFLPA recently “struck a confidentiality agreement with the NFL to keep the details of a January arbitration ruling under wraps from players,” following an investigation into potential top-down collusion regarding player salary guarantees. Last month, the union reportedly hired a law firm “to work with a special committee of players to review Howell’s activities as the executive director,” after ESPN broke, in May, that “the FBI and federal prosecutors are investigating the union’s financial dealings related to a multibillion-dollar group-licensing firm,” which Howell holds a board seat on.

Undrafted free agents always have an uphill climb toward a spot on the 53-player roster. Nash intrigued the dynasty community by leading 2024 FBS wide receivers in targets (171), receptions (104), yards (1,382) and receiving touchdowns (16). McElhaney projects Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge are locked in as the Falcons’ top four wide receivers. WR/KR Jamal Agnew “could be the Falcons’ return man.” WRs Chris Blair and Casey Washington could also be ahead of Nash, though McElhaney did compliment Nash’s high-pointing ability through spring practices. The former San Jose State Spartan will likely find his way onto a practice squad this year, be it with the Falcons or elsewhere. He is not relevant in re-draft formats at this time.