Samwise NFL Newsletter
Sunday, August 2, 2026
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall Out for Season After PCL Surgery Decision
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will miss the entire 2026 season after general manager John Lynch announced Saturday that the 25-year-old will undergo surgery on his posterior cruciate ligament. Pearsall began experiencing knee swelling during the first week of camp, aggravating a lingering injury he initially suffered during the 2025 season. The 49ers had hoped rest and rehabilitation could get Pearsall ready to play, but further evaluation during camp made clear that approach would not achieve the desired results. Lynch said Pearsall faces a recovery timeline of six to 12 months. The setback is compounded by free-agent addition Christian Kirk dealing with a hamstring ailment.
Sources: NFL.com
Bills Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson Avoids Serious Injury, Out With Calf Strain
Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was carted from the field Saturday during a non-contact injury in 11-on-11 drills, sending an early scare through the organization. Subsequent testing revealed a lower calf strain, avoiding the more serious outcome many feared when the veteran went down without contact. Gardner-Johnson signed with Buffalo this offseason as a key addition to a retooled defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, where he was expected to compete for a starting role. No specific timetable has been given for his return, with the Bills scheduled for their next practice Monday morning, when more clarity on his status is expected.
Sources: Washington Post
Four Star Players Hold In at Camp as Contract Standoffs Persist Across the League
Four star players remained away from full team activities Saturday as contract standoffs with their clubs continued across the league. Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson entered his fourth consecutive day of holding in, present at practice but declining to participate while seeking a long-term extension. Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs stayed out of team drills as both sides continued talks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea practiced briefly before a back injury limited him. Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Tuli Tuipulotu also held in. All four are on rookie or below-market contracts and are seeking raises before the regular season opens.
Sources: ESPN
Falcons Sign Guard Matthew Bergeron to Four-Year, $96M Extension
The Atlanta Falcons locked up left guard Matthew Bergeron on Saturday with a four-year, $96 million extension that includes $60 million in guarantees. Bergeron, 26, was a second-round pick out of Syracuse in 2023 and has started 49 of a possible 51 games for Atlanta, establishing himself as one of the league’s top young offensive linemen. General manager Ian Cunningham called Bergeron the type of player the Falcons build around, citing his toughness, consistency, and leadership. The deal makes Bergeron the third Falcon to sign an extension in recent weeks, joining wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.
Sources: ESPN
Detroit Lions Add Linebacker Depth, Sign Devin White to One-Year Deal
The Detroit Lions signed veteran linebacker Devin White to a one-year deal Saturday to address a depth need at the position. White, 28, recorded a career-high 174 tackles for the Las Vegas Raiders last season in a bounce-back year. A first-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2019 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, White brings extensive starting experience to a Lions linebacker room anchored by Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez. The signing came as the Lions dealt with an injury to a reserve linebacker that left the depth chart thin entering the early weeks of training camp.
Sources: Washington Post
Deebo Samuel Returns to Full Practice After Re-Signing With 49ers
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel participated in his first full practice Saturday since re-signing with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal. Samuel, who spent his first six seasons with San Francisco before a year away, returned to full team drills without any apparent issues. His active participation came on the same day the 49ers announced that receiver Ricky Pearsall would miss the entire 2026 season with a knee injury, giving Samuel’s return added significance for a receiving corps navigating multiple setbacks early in camp. The 49ers also have free-agent signee Christian Kirk dealing with a hamstring ailment.
Sources: NFL.com
Taysom Hill Parts Ways With Saints; Broncos Express Interest in Free Agent
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Saturday that his team would definitely look closely at signing veteran hybrid player Taysom Hill, who recently parted ways with the New Orleans Saints after nine years with the organization. Hill announced his departure from New Orleans on social media, saying he had taken time to think carefully about what comes next for his family. He did not announce retirement from football. Payton, who coached Hill for several seasons in New Orleans, told NFL Network that the Broncos would examine whether Hill still has a role in the league and could be a fit in Denver.
Sources: NFL.com
Tua Tagovailoa Dealing With Injury as Falcons QB Competition Heats Up
The Atlanta Falcons quarterback competition has taken an early turn after Tua Tagovailoa was held out of team drills at training camp with what coaches described as a minor back flare-up. Tagovailoa said that if the Falcons were preparing for a regular-season game, he would likely be ready to play, though his return to full team activities at camp remains uncertain in the short term. Michael Penix Jr., Tagovailoa’s chief competition for the starting job, is also limited, recovering from a knee injury keeping him out of team drills. With both quarterbacks unavailable, veteran Cooper Rush and Jack Strand have taken the bulk of first-team reps.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
American Conference Divisions
Preseason — Regular season begins Sept. 14
AFC East
1. Buffalo Bills — 0–0–0
2. Miami Dolphins — 0–0–0
3. New York Jets — 0–0–0
4. New England Patriots — 0–0–0
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens — 0–0–0
2. Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0
3. Cincinnati Bengals — 0–0–0
4. Cleveland Browns — 0–0–0
AFC South
1. Houston Texans — 0–0–0
2. Indianapolis Colts — 0–0–0
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — 0–0–0
4. Tennessee Titans — 0–0–0
AFC West
1. Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
2. Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
3. Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
4. Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
National Conference Divisions
Preseason — Regular season begins Sept. 14
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0
2. Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0
3. New York Giants — 0–0–0
4. Washington Commanders — 0–0–0
NFC North
1. Detroit Lions — 0–0–0
2. Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0
3. Green Bay Packers — 0–0–0
4. Chicago Bears — 0–0–0
NFC South
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
2. Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0
3. New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
4. Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
NFC West
1. Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
2. San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0
3. Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency