The NFL’s 2024 mandatory minicamps have kicked into full gear. ESPN’s NFL reporters could be found at each location, providing information on position battles, notable appearances from new faces, compelling quotes from coaches and players and updates on injuries and holdout situations.
We will have updates every day of camp to keep you informed on all the latest, including Tuesday’s action. Here’s what you need to know from Wednesday camps across the league:
Top NFL news of the day
Browns Chubb not targeting return dates
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb said he doesn’t have a target date to return from the severe knee injury that ended his 2023 season and required a pair of surgeries.
“I’m not looking too far ahead,” Chubb said Wednesday in his first comments since the Week 2 injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I’m just taking it day by day.
Source: OT Tristan Wirfs to attend minicamp after OTA absence
All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who has been absent from OTAs during contract negotiations, will be in attendance for the mandatory minicamp next week, a source told ESPN on Wednesday.
If Wirfs and his agent can’t reach a new contract with the Bucs, he’ll play under the fifth-year option in 2024 and earn $18.244 million. Because he’s under contract at this time, should Wirfs decide to switch course and not participate in minicamp, the three-time Pro Bowler would be subject to a $101,716 fine for missing all three days.
G Zack Martin wonders if 2024 might be final season
As Zack Martin enters his 11th season with the Dallas Cowboys, the nine-time Pro Bowler and seven-time first-team All Pro wonders if 2024 could be his final one.
“I think I’d be lying if I said it has not entered my mind, right?” Martin said. “I think it that’s been a big thing for me this year just try to tell myself, ‘Hey, go out, do your thing and let anything else take care of itself after the season. I don’t know when I’ll be done but it’s definitely getting closer to the end. I think it’s just a good reminder for myself to stay in the present and take advantage of this year.”
Martin turns 34 in November.
CB Cameron Sutton plans to reunite with Steelers
Cornerback Cameron Sutton plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, agent David Canter told ESPN on Wednesday. Sutton is expected to sign a one-year contract, league sources told ESPN. Sutton, who spent the first six years of his career in Pittsburgh, was released by the Detroit Lions earlier this offseason following the issuance of an arrest warrant for domestic battery.
Ex-Chargers/Packers C Linsley retiring after 14 seasons
The Chargers released center Corey Linsley, the team announced Wednesday. Linsley, who missed the final 14 games of the 2024 season with a non-emergent heart issue, is retiring from the NFL.
“While he has taken his last snap in the NFL, Corey’s story is far from being written,” team president John Spanos said in a statement. “We cannot wait to see what the next chapter has in store for the Linsleys, and we wish Corey, Anna, Seamus, Killian, Quinn and Ruth all the best moving forward.”
What our NFL Nation reporters saw today
The Dolphins signed veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason, but he has yet to take the field as they wrap mandatory minicamp. Coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged the excitement and anticipation surrounding Beckham’s arrival but insisted that the team takes each player’s individual timeline into account when deciding his spring workload.
The Dolphins determined the best thing for Beckham’s health was to sit out of these practices. Fellow receiver Tyreek Hill also did not participate in team drills in either of Miami’s minicamp practices.
McDaniel said Hill has a tendency to go “full tilt” in practice, and the Dolphins wanted to make sure he doesn’t overdo it at this point in the year. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
CB Khalil Dorsey suffered a lower leg injury and was evaluated after practice. Dorsey was productive during Wednesday’s session, with a pick-six play off backup QB Hendon Hooker before going down with the injury. Coach Dan Campbell says he wants to identify who is going to be reliable in the secondary.
“The talent level, the competitiveness, the versatility,” Campbell said. “Honestly, we have no idea who our starting lineup’s going to be right now and it’s exciting. It’s so good. There’s no telling who’s going to be outside corners, who’s going to be our nickel, who’s going to be our safeties. This thing is wide open across the board.” — Eric Woodyard
The new kickoff rules will require additional strategizing for special teams coordinators this season. Titans coach Brian Callahan said there will be “chaos” during the preseason as teams experiment with new schemes.
The Titans devoted a large portion of one of their eight practice periods on their kickoff and kickoff return units. Tennessee had a rotation of eight different players taking turns fielding kicks. They’re still in the feeling-out stage and without pads so it’ll take more time to get sorted through which players will be best suited to capitalize on the new rules.
“There’s going to be more returns,” Titans special teams coach Colt Anderson said. “The play is going to look a lot different from last year. We’re trying to figure that out right now, the timing, the skill set, who’s going to be out there right now.” — Turron Davenport