Latest news with #All-Pro
San Francisco Chronicle
13 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
49ers third-round pick Nick Martin broke his thumb, but won't need surgery
San Francisco 49ers rookie linebacker Nick Martin suffered a thumb fracture a few weeks ago, but did not miss any subsequent practices or workouts, a source familiar with the injury told the Chronicle. Martin, the team's third-round pick, won't need surgery and is expected to be fully healthy by training camp in July. After star offensive tackle Trent Williams said in a YouTube video that Martin had broken his thumb during a workout, many 49ers fans on social media assumed the worst. Martin had missed most of his final season at Oklahoma State with a knee injury that likely affected his drafted stock. Pro Football Focus ranked Martin, an All-Big 12 first-team selection in 2023, as the 307th prospect on its big board. The 49ers selected him at No. 75, a vote of confidence by general manager John Lynch, who compared Martin to Dre Greenlaw for his 'run-and-hit' style and similarly long arms as an otherwise undersized linebacker. At 6-foot and 221 pounds, Martin's arms were measured during the NFL Combine at 31 ¾ inches, only a half-inch shorter than Greenlaw. 'Just our type of player all over,' Lynch said in a press conference after Day 2 of the draft. 'Swarms to the football and you feel him on the field. Not the biggest guy but has long arms that kind of mimics Dre in a lot of ways. That's high praise and he's got a long way to go to show that he can be like that.' Martin, 22, appears in line to compete with linebacker Dee Winters for early playing time next to All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. 'I thought they were the dynamic duo,' Martin said of Warner and Greenlaw. 'And being able to come in and be that piece, it's going to be a fun thing for me.' While at Oklahoma State, Martin proved adept as a blitzer with sideline-to-sideline speed to be disruptive, a credit to his notable athleticism. At this year's combine, Martin ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash, did 26 bench-press reps and recorded a 38-inch vertical jump. 'I'm very athletic — I like to use that to my advantage,' Martin said after being drafted. 'I'm relentless, with the way I always go for the kill shot, with maximum effort or punishing the person with the ball. Just figuring out ways to change the tone of the game.'
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
NFL Insider Links Eagles To Free Agent Defensive Playmaker
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Cornerback is one of the highly anticipated position battles for the Eagles this summer, with Kelee Ringo and veteran Adoree' Jackson vying for the CB2 spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Philadelphia may be adding another name to the mix. During a recent radio appearance on 97.5 The Fanatic, Fowler stated that the Eagles have free agent CB Asante Samuel Jr. 'on their radar.' "Asante Samuel Jr., who is coming back from a neck injury, was one of the top free-agent corners,'' Fowler said. "He probably won't sign until late July. I do know the Eagles have thought about that one, and that's on their radar as well." Samuel was a 2021 second-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers and was their top corner before he suffered a shoulder injury last season. Per ESPN's Kris Rihm, Samuel has been dealing with shoulder issues since his childhood, but doesn't think it will affect his career long-term. He was limited to four games last year and reportedly underwent neck surgery in April, which limited his market during free agency. INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Asante Samuel Jr. #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts following an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on September... INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Asante Samuel Jr. #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts following an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Inglewood, California. MoreThe 25-year-old isn't a strong tackler but has elite coverage skills when healthy, recording 35 pass breakups and six interceptions across his first three seasons. His most notable performance came in an AFC Wild Card Game against the Jaguars, where he picked off Trevor Lawrence three times in the first half. The Eagles are no strangers to Samuel's legacy. His father, Asante Samuel Sr., spent four years in Philadelphia from 2008 to 2011, earning three Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod. His nine interceptions in 2009 were tied for the most in the league with Jairus Byrd, Darren Sharper, and Charles Woodson. If Samuel Jr. gets a clean bill of health following his July checkup, several teams are likely to show interest as they finalize their training camp rosters. There aren't many better landing spots than the Eagles, who are known for taking on reclamation projects and rebuilding their value. Mekhi Becton just signed a $10 million contract after thriving at right guard for Philadelphia. Isaiah Rodgers joined the Eagles while serving a gambling suspension and became a key contributor on their path to winning the championship. Samuel Jr. could be the next redemption story. As it currently stands, the Eagles have Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Adoree Jackson, Eli Ricks, Mac McWilliams, and Parry Nickerson on their roster at cornerback. Adding another talented name at a low cost is right up Howie Roseman's alley. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Why Travis Kelce's Chiefs decision ‘wasn't a tough one' after Super Bowl flop
Returning to the Chiefs for his 13th NFL season was an easy call for Travis Kelce. The star tight end, who was at the center of retirement buzz earlier this year, told the media Wednesday he feels he's 'got a lot' more to prove following the Chiefs' Super Bowl flop to the Eagles in February. 'I love football. I don't think I really thought about it that much. My friends and family and the team and the guys and women in this building, I love coming into work every single day. It wasn't a very tough one for me. I know I'm getting older, but at the same time, I still feel like I got a lot that I can prove in this league … It really wasn't that hard of a decision for me,' said Kelce, who turns 36 in October. 6 Travis Kelce spoke to the media in June 2025 as he readies for his 13th season in the league. Chiefs 6 The star tight end practiced with friend and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) on June 18, 2025. AP A three-time Super Bowl champ and 10-time Pro Bowler, Kelce is coming off a statistically down year in which he tallied 823 receiving yards and three touchdowns, compared to 984 yards and five scores in 2023. It marked the second straight season he failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards — a milestone he had reached seven consecutive times beginning in 2016. With his quiet production, pundits speculated Kelce's heart was elsewhere, as he took on opportunities outside football, such as hosting Amazon's 'Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity.' 6 Travis Kelce is coming off a statistically down Roc Nation 6 The Chiefs were throttled by the Eagles in Super Bowl 2025. Getty Images His profile also reached new heights as his relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift intensified. In the wake of the Chiefs' blowout Super Bowl 2025 loss, in which Kelce caught just four passes for 39 yards in the 40-22 defeat, the All-Pro tight end vowed to return with vengeance. 'I'm coming back, for sure,' Kelce told Pat McAfee in a text that was read on the ESPN star's self-titled program in late February. 'Gonna try and get to the best shape I've been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop. Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and how I got the guys ready for battle. I can't go out like that!!!!' 6 Travis Kelce has been training in Florida this offseason and enjoying downtime with girlfriend Taylor Swift. Getty Images Kelce, rumored to have dropped 25 pounds this offseason, also addressed the chatter surrounding his reported weight loss Wednesday. 'First of all, I never said that,' Kelce said, per E! News. 'Don't believe everything you read on the internet.' 6 The couple has been dating since 2023. GC Images Kelce trained in Florida this offseason and was joined by Swift, 35, who wrapped her global Eras Tour last December after nearly two years on the road. The couple, who have been dating since 2023, stepped out for a Stanley Cup date night last week before the Panthers were crowned champions over the Oilers again on Tuesday. Kelce and the Chiefs open the season on Friday, Sept. 5 in São Paulo, Brazil, against the Chargers.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
How the Jaire Alexander signing impacts Ravens young cornerbacks
How the Jaire Alexander signing impacts Ravens young cornerbacks With the Jaire Alexander signing official, we're looking at how the move impacts the Ravens' young secondary, including the cornerback position. One day after Lamar Jackson made a public plea to the national and local media, the Baltimore Ravens listened, signing former Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander. The addition of Alexander gives Baltimore one of the most talented secondaries in the NFL and reunites the two-time Pro Bowler with Jackson, a close friend and former teammate at Louisville. It also adds elite depth and talent to a Ravens secondary that had been retooled this offseason with the addition of Chidobe Awuzie in free agency and two sixth-round draft picks. Alexander, 28, played in just 34 of a possible 68 games since the start of the 2021 season and was scheduled to make $17.5 million this season, with none guaranteed. The Packers released the All-Pro cornerback on June 9 following two straight injury-filled seasons. With the signing official, we're looking at how the move impacts the Ravens' young secondary, including the cornerback position. Cornerback depth If Alexander can remain healthy, Baltimore will have one of the strongest defensive backfields in the league. Alexander joins a secondary that has first-round picks at cornerback (Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins) and safety (Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks). The Ravens will likely line up Alexander and Wiggins on the outside and use Humphrey as the slot cornerback. They now have a top 4 of Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jaire Alexander, and Chidobe Awuzie. Rookies impact Long before Alexander was released, Baltimore made it clear that they'd be selecting a cornerback in April's draft. The Ravens selected Bilhal Kone (Western Michigan) in Round 6, pick No. 178, and Robert Longerbeam (Rutgers) in Round 6, pick No. 212. Before the Alexander signing, the No. 4 cornerback spot was up in the air between T.J. Tampa, Jalyn Armour-Davis, and now Kone, who primarily plays on the outside but has spent some time in the slot. Last season, Kone led Western Michigan with nine passes broken up. He added 70 tackles and one interception. Longerbeam has ball skills, leading the Big Ten with 30 passes broken up since 2021. He won't be as impacted, as the former Scarlet Knights star was projected to play slot cornerback because he's 5 feet 11, 174 pounds. Longerbeam is only the second player from Rutgers to get drafted by the Ravens, joining running back Ray Rice (second round in 2008). Others impacted T.J. Tampa quickly becomes a player in need of a breakout training camp, or he'll risk landing on the practice squad or being released before the final cuts. Armour-Davis has been getting snaps at safety this spring, and he'll need a breakout performance to remain on the roster.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sean McVay lays out the 'obstacles' preventing the Rams from trading for Jalen Ramsey
Sean McVay lays out the 'obstacles' preventing the Rams from trading for Jalen Ramsey McVay isn't ruling out a trade but it sounds like the odds are slimming by the day We're now approaching late June and Jalen Ramsey still has not been traded. The Miami Dolphins have been trying to find a trade partner for months and even now that a deal is more palatable from a financial perspective, Ramsey remains on the Dolphins' roster. The Los Angeles Rams have been interested in potentially acquiring the All-Pro cornerback but as time passes, they seem less and less likely to bring him in – especially with the way Sean McVay has been talking. He was asked about Ramsey's situation again on Tuesday and though he said there are 'no updates,' he did acknowledge there are 'a lot of layers and a lot of parameters that would need to take place' in order for the Rams to make a trade for him. McVay also said there are 'obstacles' standing in the Rams' way of a deal, laying out exactly what those hurdles are. 'What is his salary? And are we able to take that on just based on our current situation when you onboard a player that's earned the right to be paid where he's at?' McVay explained. 'Those are things that you're usually planning months in advance and obviously, it was unforeseen that he would become available. And if you do execute a trade, what are they looking for in return? Is there a conversation to be had in terms of a portion of that contract that they pay? Are they interested in players or draft capital? So there's a lot of layers to that.' Ramsey didn't become available until the middle of April when Dolphins GM Chris Grier confirmed the team's intent to part ways with the veteran cornerback. That timing may have thrown the Rams off, though it's not as if they made meaningful additions at cornerback before learning that Ramsey was on the block. It sounds like the Rams didn't expect Ramsey to become available, so they proceeded with the plans they already had in place before the Dolphins started to shop him. "Usually, those are scenarios and situations that you have to have plans in place prior to executing some of the decisions that have occurred,' McVay added. 'Definitely don't want to rule anything out because we're always open-minded to onboarding and acquiring quality players and people like him if we're able to do that, but there would be some obstacles that are real that are in the place of maybe preventing that from occurring." Peter Schrager of ESPN said at the end of May that he hasn't gotten the sense that the Rams are 'banging down the doors for the Miami Dolphins to trade them Jalen Ramsey.' McVay's comments appear to echo that sentiment, as does the lack of movement and news on the trade front. There's no real deadline for the Dolphins to move Ramsey, but the expectation is that he'll be on a new team before the season starts, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. We'll just have to wait and see if that team is the Rams.
