Wednesday's NFL: Titans bringing in 3-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins for visit
Nashville, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans will be the first NFL team to bring three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in for a free agent visit.
They certainly could use his experience in a very young wide receiving group. Hopkins, who turned 31 Tuesday, would have led Tennessee last season with his 64 catches for 717 yards last season despite being limited to only nine games.
Both coach Mike Vrabel and his new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly worked in Houston during Hopkins' tenure with the Texans. Vrabel made clear Wednesday he won't be trying to recruit Hopkins, something he's left behind when he moved from Ohio State to the NFL.
“I would really just want people that want to be here,” Vrabel said. "And then if that works out, then you go on to the next step. So that will be pretty much it until we either sign or don’t sign the next player.”
Arizona released the five-time Pro Bowl receiver in a salary cap move May 26 after failing to find a trading partner in the offseason.
The Cardinals cut Hopkins three seasons after acquiring him in a blockbuster trade in 2020 with Houston and had signed him to a $54.5 million contract extension through 2024. Hopkins would have counted close to $31 million against the cap this season for Arizona, which still took on a dead cap hit of $22.6 million.
Hopkins ranks 36th in NFL history with 11,298 yards receiving in his 10 seasons over 145 games.
Colts keep Rodgers out of practice as NFL investigates gambling allegations
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. did not practice with his teammates Wednesday, two days after the team said it was aware of an NFL investigation into gambling allegations about one of its players.
Neither the Colts nor the league have publicly identified Rodgers as the target of the investigation.
On Monday, Rodgers issued a statement on Twitter saying he made an “error in judgment.” The post came hours after media reports linked him to the investigation.
Coach Shane Steichen would not say whether Rodgers will remain out until the matter is resolved.
“It's an ongoing investigation with the NFL right now," Steichen said. “Beyond that I won't have much to say.”
He repeated the same comment to most of the questions that were asked about Rodgers and the gambling issue.
Linebacker E.J. Speed told reporters league officials spoke to Colts players about gambling a few days ago. Steichen said the meeting was part of the league's annual presentation to all 32 teams and had been arranged prior to Monday's reports.
Falcons lose top punt returner Avery Williams to season-ending knee injury
Flowery Branch, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons running back and return specialist Avery Williams is expected to miss the 2023 season after suffering a knee injury in a non-contact drill.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday that Williams is expected to have season-ending surgery on Thursday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Williams suffered the injury during the team's offseason organized team activities practice on Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Though primarily a reserve player on offense, Williams was the Falcons' primary punt returner in 2022. He had 18 returns for 292 yards, a strong average of 16.2 yards per return.
“We love Avery,” Smith said. “He’s got the mindset and I fully expect him to come back.”
Williams, from Boise State, was preparing for his third season. He was a fifth-round draft pick in 2021 who used his versatility, including as a cornerback, to secure a roster spot.
Williams had 22 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown and 13 catches for 61 yards last season.