NFL News Updates

Author: nfltalk

  • Geno Smith feeling young and healthy at 34

    Geno Smith feeling young and healthy at 34

    Raiders quarterback Geno Smith is 34 years old and heading into his 13th NFL season, but don’t tell him he’s getting older.

    Smith said in an interview for the Raiders’ YouTube channel that he’s in great shape, looking good, feeling good and ready for many more years in the NFL.

    “I’ve got the six-pack back, feeling stronger than ever, my body’s feeling healthy, I’m ready to go,” Smith said. “I’m 34, I’ll be 35 next year, but I still feel 21.”

    Smith said he’s excited to learn from Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, who was a starting quarterback in the NFL until he was 45 years old. Smith probably doesn’t have another decade of football left in him, but he doesn’t see himself walking away any time soon.

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  • Kyren Lacy dies at 24: Former LSU WR, NFL Draft hopeful led the Tigers in receiving TDs in 2024

    Kyren Lacy dies at 24: Former LSU WR, NFL Draft hopeful led the Tigers in receiving TDs in 2024

    Imagn Images

    Former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy has died at the age of 24, an LSU official confirmed to CBS Sports on Sunday. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Houston, Texas, police were originally called to investigate a disturbance involving Lacy where he allegedly discharged a weapon into the ground during an argument with a family member. Lacy was not on scene when police arrived, but they were able to track down his vehicle which led to a chase across several miles. 

    The car Lacy was driving eventually crashed, but when police approached the vehicle and attempted to make an arrest, they discovered that Lacy had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

    “We’re saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy,” an LSU spokesperson told ESPN. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”

    Once considered a potential high NFL Draft pick, Lacy was arrested in January and charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death and reckless operation of a vehicle. The charges stemmed from a Dec. 17 crash that killed a 78-year old man and injured two others. 

    “As Lacy was illegally passing the other vehicles, the driver of a northbound pickup truck abruptly braked and swerved to the right to avoid a head-on collision with the approaching Dodge,” a Louisiana State Police news release read. “Traveling behind the pickup was a 2017 Kia Cadenza whose driver swerved left to avoid the oncoming Dodge Charger. As the Kia Cadenza took evasive action to…

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  • What’s next for Kirk Cousins? Three potential 2025 options for Falcons QB after Browns reunite with Joe Flacco

    What’s next for Kirk Cousins? Three potential 2025 options for Falcons QB after Browns reunite with Joe Flacco

    The Cleveland Browns didn’t just welcome back an old friend by signing Joe Flacco this week. They also sent ripples throughout the quarterback market ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. They amped up pressure on trade acquisition Kenny Pickett for an anticipated summer competition. They crowded their room in advance of a potential early-round pick at the position. And, perhaps most notably, they signaled that Kirk Cousins, a long-speculated target of coach Kevin Stefanski, is no longer on their radar. Or never was.

    Cousins and Stefanski notably spent time together with the Minnesota Vikings. Now that Stefanski has both Flacco and Pickett to hold down the fort, however, it’s fair to wonder: Does Cousins have any remaining options? Currently employed by the Atlanta Falcons, the former Pro Bowler has reportedly wanted a fresh start since the start of the 2025 offseason. There’s been one big problem: Cousins’ contract, which reportedly scared Cleveland away and which the Falcons have so far refused to terminate, in hopes of driving up trade interest.

    So what now? In truth, Cousins may be stuck as the Falcons’ backup unless he negotiates his own release. Or unless Atlanta finds a desperate trade partner well down the road, such as during the season. In the meantime, these might be his only somewhat feasible destinations:

    Minnesota Vikings

    This is the most intriguing possibility from a storyline standpoint. Cousins just got done rocking the purple not long ago, ingratiating himself with Vikings Nation. His return wouldn’t necessarily inhibit J.J. McCarthy, the new face of the franchise, from taking over in 2025 and beyond. He’d offer coach Kevin O’Connell a ready-made insurance plan, without the preexisting pressure of being “the guy.” And yet the one thing Cousins has reportedly sought in his efforts to escape Atlanta is a path to a starting gig, which isn’t a reality in Minnesota barring a catastrophic…

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  • Kyren Lacy, former LSU football receiver, announced dead at 24

    Kyren Lacy, former LSU football receiver, announced dead at 24

    Former LSU football receiver Kyren Lacy was found dead on Saturday night, LSU announced on social media Sunday.

    The cause of the 24-year-old’s death is not immediately known.

    “We’re saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy,” LSU wrote in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”

    Lacy caught 58 passes for 866 yards with seven touchdowns last season, emerging as one of the better receivers in the country in his fifth college season and third with the Tigers.

    Lacy was charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death and reckless operation of a vehicle after being accused of causing a crash that killed a 78-year-old man on Dec. 17, shortly after the 2024 season ended. He turned himself into authorities on Jan. 12 and was jailed before being released on a $151,000 bond.

    A grand jury was set to hear evidence on the case Monday.

    Louisiana State Police said following the investigation that Lacy “recklessly passed multiple vehicles at a high rate of speed by crossing the centerline” into incoming traffic in a don’t-pass zone on Louisiana Highway 20. Police added Lacy drove around the scene of the collision before fleeing and not reporting the crash.

    Lacy’s attorney, Matthew Ory, denied Lacy’s involvement in the crash.

    “The collision that resulted in the death of Mr. Herman was not caused by Mr. Lacy’s actions,” Ory wrote in a statement in early February. “The accident occurred directly in front of him when a second vehicle in the oncoming lane crossed the centerline and collided with Mr. Herman’s vehicle, in which he was a passenger. We are of information and belief that the vehicle that collided with Mr. Herman’s vehicle was issued a citation. At no time did Mr….

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  • Dak Prescott gives positive update on hamstring injury: ‘If I had to play a game today, I definitely could’

    Dak Prescott gives positive update on hamstring injury: ‘If I had to play a game today, I definitely could’

    Dak Prescott is confident he will return in full form next season. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback, who underwent season-ending surgery on a hamstring injury in November, told reporters this week he is “getting close” to a full recovery.

    Prescott spoke about his hamstring at the 35th annual Children’s Cancer Fund gala in Dallas on Friday. The 31-year-old seemed optimistic about his short- and long-term health after months of rehab.

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    “If I had to play a game today, I definitely could do that,” Prescott said. “It’s about moving forward healthy to make sure I can play 17 (games), 20, whatever we get to when the time’s right.”

    Prescott suffered the injury during the Cowboys’ loss to the Atlanta Falcons in early November, with Dallas placing him on IR later that week. The quarterback provided an update in December, saying his rehab was coming along, but he had “no hard timeline” for his return.

    On Friday, Prescott seemed confident he would return at full force in the fall — and potentially during earlier team activities — though he did not want to rush the process.

    “I’m getting close to where I want to be, I don’t want to put a percentage on it,” Prescott said. “I know we’ve got team activities coming up, imagine myself being involved in some sort, if not all. Then again, I just understand my age, what I’ve had, what I’ve went through, it’s about being my best in the fall. So I’m not rushing anything, but I’m where I want to be.”

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    This is not the first time Prescott has had to return from a significant injury. In 2021, Prescott came back after a season-ending ankle injury that required multiple offseason surgeries. A thumb injury also sidelined Prescott for five games in 2022.

    When asked if he was approaching rehab differently this time around, Prescott said he was following the physical therapy plan he and his doctors put together. As a result, Prescott said he was progressing well — and he might even be better after going through the…

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  • What’s next for Tennessee? Josh Heupel addresses Nico Iamaleava, future at QB after Volunteers’ spring game

    What’s next for Tennessee? Josh Heupel addresses Nico Iamaleava, future at QB after Volunteers’ spring game

    The dispute between Tennessee and quarterback Nico Iamaleava reached a boiling point on Saturday morning when the two sides chose to go their separate ways. Following the Volunteers spring game on Saturday afternoon, Heupel addressed Iamaleava’s departure and assessed his options at quarterback.

    Whether the quarterback solution is already on the roster or in the transfer portal, the Volunteers have a few to choose from over the next few months, and the spring game was an opportunity for Heupel to look at two of them.

    Tennessee held its spring game just hours after Iamaleava was removed from the roster, and redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger got the first reps alongside wide receivers Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley and Trey Weary.

    Merklinger was Tennessee’s third-string quarterback last season, behind Iamaleava and Gaston Moore. He saw limited playing time in two appearances, completing 6 of 9 pass attempts for 48 yards.

    Merklinger got off to a shaky start in the spring game, but recovered for some nice throws, including a long touchdown pass to star wideout Mike Matthews.

    Merklinger was a four-star recruit in Tennessee’s 2024 signing class and the No. 12 quarterback in that cycle, according to 247Sports. The Calvary Day School (Georgia) product chose the Vols with other programs like Georgia, North Carolina, Louisville and NC State expressing interest in him.

    Saturday afternoon’s spring game was the first real opportunity for early enrollee George MacIntyre to show off his skills in anything resembling a game setting. Despite his lack of experience, MacIntyre arrived in Knoxville as a highly-touted prospect.

    Like Merklinger, MacIntyre had his ups and downs, but he also showed flashes of his high upside while throwing…

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  • NFL Draft predictions: Former NFL GM gives his favorite pro comparisons for prospects in the 2025 class

    In less than two weeks, prospects will officially begin their journey in the NFL when they hear their names called in the 2025 NFL Draft — the first step into what could become stardom in the league. For now, we can only predict what their future and impact in the NFL will be, drawing comparisons to some of the league’s current players. 

    On Friday’s episode of the “With the First Pick” podcast, host Ryan Wilson and former Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon did just that, giving their favorite draft comparisons from the upcoming class to the pros. They gave their reasons of who reminds them of who, debating and sometimes disagreeing.

    Here’s a look at some of their prospect-to-pro comparisons by position:

    Quarterbacks

    Cathon said that as a pure quarterback, he would compare Jalen Milroe to Malik Willis. But looking for a comparison for a player who is “dynamic” and “so explosive with the ball in his hands,” he would go with Taysom Hill. Wilson noted that he has concerns about Milroe when it comes to pure pocket passing, but nobody can debate his elite…

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  • How to watch, stream Crimson Combine today

    How to watch, stream Crimson Combine today

    OU football running back Gavin Sawchuk on the position group’s spring

    OU football running back Gavin Sawchuk breaks down how the position group has fared this spring on Wednesday.

    The OU football team will hold its Crimson Combine at 1 p.m. CT Saturday inside Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

    The event will consist of player drills and fan activities. It’ll replace the Sooners’ annual Red-White spring game.

    Here’s how to follow OU football’s Crimson Combine on Saturday:

    More: What is OU football’s spring game replacement? Inside Crimson Combine

    What time is OU football’s Crimson Combine today?

    Date: Saturday, April 12Time: 1 p.m. CT

    The OU football team’s Crimson Combine will begin at 1 p.m. CT Saturday inside Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

    More: How is OU football’s running back group looking this spring? Gavin Sawchuk weighs in

    What is OU football’s Crimson Combine schedule?

    Gates open at noon, and OU’s players will begin warm-ups at approximately 12:45 p.m.

    The team will then hold a practice from 1-2:30 p.m. It’ll include a skills period, 7-on-7 work, offensive and defensive lineman 1-on-1 competition, half-line drills, a special teams period and more. There will also be fan-engagement activities such as a kicking contest, a punt-catching competition and a closet-to-the-pin throwing contest.

    OU players will sign autographs for fans in the stadium’s south stands from 2:30-3:30 p.m. During that time, the north end of Owen Field will open for “Party in the Palace.” That’ll include interactive inflatables, a Jordan Brand shoe box retail shop and a beer garden. The Sooner Schooner and various team trophies will also be on display for photo opportunities.

    The Crimson Combine will conclude at 3:30 p.m.

    More: What has OU football’s new-look offense looked like in spring practices? ‘Move fast’

    How to listen…

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