2026 NFL Training Camp Live Updates, Rumors and Highlights from Wednesday

The Baltimore Ravens were dealt a massive blow last season when star defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike suffered a Week 2 neck injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. The injury ultimately required surgery, and it was unclear when Madubuike would be back on the field for Baltimore.

On Wednesday, the Ravens got their answer. While Madubuike was medically cleared ahead of camp, he still opened it on the physically unable to perform list.

According to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec Madubuike had "been cleared to practice by independent spine and cervical doctors" but was placed on the PUP list on Saturday to give the Ravens time to evaluate him.

On Wednesday, the Ravens announced that Madubuike had passed his physical and will come off the PUP list.

A 2020 third-round pick out of Texas A&M, Madubuike made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and 2024, and he signed a four-year, $98 million extension a little over two years ago. His return is a very big development for the Ravens defense and new head coach Jesse Minter.

Injuries are, unfortunately, an unavoidable part of training camp. Second-year defensive end Shemar Stewart may have suffered a significant one during Wednesday's practice.

According to The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr., Stewart went down during the Cincinnati Bengals' first 11-on-11 drills and was unable to put weight on his left leg before he was eventually carted off.

Caleb Noe of WCPO Cincinnati had footage of the injury (Warning: it is uncomfortable to watch):

The Bengals selected Stewart 17th overall out of Texas A&M in last year's draft. Ankle and knee injuries limited him to eight games last season, and he finished his rookie campaign with 11 tackles, a sack, and four quarterback hits.

The New Orleans Saints opened training camp with some terrific news on the injury front. Rookie first-round pick Jordyn Tyson, who was dealing with a hamstring injury, passed his conditioning test. Chris Olave, who had been limited since having a blood clot in his lung discovered in January, was cleared with no restrictions to open camp.

However, Olave is sitting out team drills as he and the Saints negotiate a new contract, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.footbal.

Olave, the 11th overall pick in the 2022 draft, has been extension-eligible since last offseason but experienced an injury-plagued season in 2024. He was mostly healthy last year and finished with 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield tried to get a new contract this offseason, but reported to camp without one and will play on his current deal, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Jenna Laine. Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud may not have to do the same.

Stroud, the second overall pick in the 2023 draft, became extension-eligible this offseason and has engaged in contract talks with the Texans. On Wednesday, general manager Nick Caserio told reporters (h/t Bleacher Report's Julia Stumbaugh) that there's a chance that a deal gets done in the near future.

"I'd say we've definitely had productive conversations over the course of this spring, so there's a possibility that something could come to fruition," Caserio said. "We'll work through it and see what happens."

Stroud was the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year and has helped Houston reach the playoffs in each of his first three seasons. However, his play has been a bit more inconsistent over the last two years, and he has failed to match the production and efficiency he showcased as a rookie.

The Texans don't need to make a decision now, as they have Stroud under contract through 2027 after exercising his fifth-year option.

On Tuesday, we saw Jalen Carter and Denzel Ward both sign record-setting contracts. A couple of notable running backs who are extension-eligible this offseason are also hoping to earn lucrative paydays. They may also be willing to hold-in in order to get it.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson are both not practicing on Wednesday.

Robinson and Gibbs were selected eighth overall and 12th overall, respectively, in the 2023 draft. Both backs have also become superstar players with their respective teams. This past season, Robinson logged a league-high 2,298 scrimmage yards, while Gibbs had 1,839 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Presumably, both backs believe they deserve to be the NFL's new highest-paid running back. Saquon Barkley currently leads the RB market with a deal worth $20.6 million annually.

Unable to get a new contract, defensive tackle Vita Vea issued a trade request to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the start of training camp. Tuesday's news that the Philadelphia Eagles signed defensive tackle Jalen Carter to a deal worth $38 million annually likely did nothing to soften Vea's stance that he deserves a raise.

Vea is scheduled to make $22.2 million in the final year of his current deal.

While Vea did report to camp—and, therefore, will avoid potential fines for holding out—it appears that his hold-in has begun. Head coach Todd Bowles announced on Wednesday morning that Vea isn't practicing.

Fans can expect to see Vea on the sideline in training camp, but they should also expect to see him on the sideline for the foreseeable future.

The Falcons are expected to hold one of the more intriguing quarterback competitions in camp this year. They have 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr., who is coming off a torn ACL, and they added former Miami Dolphins Pro Bowler Tua Tagovailoa in free agency. The two will be battling to start in new head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense.

However, Atlanta must press the pause button on the competition for now. Tagovailoa is sidelined with what is described as a "flare-up," according to Stefanski. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the quarterback is dealing with a tight back.

Penix, meanwhile, has still not been cleared to participate in full team, 11-on-11 drills.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Tagovailoa saw most of the first-team reps in the early offseason with Penix sidelined. Some insiders believe that if Penix can't get healthy and win the job in camp, Tagovailoa may never relinquish it.

"If Tua is running the offense and they're winning games, they're not going to throw Penix in there just to get a look at him," an unnamed AFC scout said, per Graziano.

According to Schefter, the Falcons are adding Cooper Rush for depth to begin camp. Atlanta also released Trevor Siemian after he aggravated a preexisting calf injury, according to Daniel Flick of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Falcons also have undrafted rookie Jack Strand in their quarterback room.