Chairshot NFL News Report (8/1/2026): Deebo Returns, Kraft Comes Off PUP and Romo Goes on Leave

Deebo Samuel returns to San Francisco, Tucker Kraft comes off PUP, Tony Romo is placed on leave and Friday’s NFL transactions reshape camp rosters.

A familiar offensive weapon is returning to San Francisco as the 49ers address growing concerns at wide receiver.

Green Bay has also reached an important recovery milestone, while CBS is making a major change to its lead NFL broadcast team.

It’s the Chairshot NFL News Report for August 1, 2026!

CBS Places Tony Romo on Indefinite Leave

CBS Sports has placed lead NFL analyst Tony Romo on indefinite leave following his July 23 arrest on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Wisconsin.

Romo was reportedly stopped after an unsafe passing maneuver and failed field sobriety testing. He was released after the incident and has a court appearance scheduled for September 21.

A first OWI offense is generally treated as a civil rather than criminal violation in Wisconsin.

CBS plans to use J.J. Watt alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on its lead broadcast team during Romo’s absence.

The timing creates a significant change weeks before the start of the regular season. Watt has broadcasting experience, but joining CBS’s No. 1 team carries a different level of preparation and scrutiny.

CBS has not announced how long Romo will remain away or whether Watt will retain the position once the situation is resolved.

Deebo Samuel Returns to the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a one-year, incentive-based contract with Deebo Samuel worth as much as $7 million.

Samuel spent his first six NFL seasons with San Francisco before playing for Washington in 2025. He caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns during his lone season with the Commanders.

The reunion comes while San Francisco faces uncertainty throughout its receiving corps. Ricky Pearsall is dealing with continued knee problems, Christian Kirk is sidelined by a calf injury and the 49ers have several other offensive players working through physical issues.

Samuel’s familiarity with Kyle Shanahan’s offense should allow the 49ers to use him from the slot, backfield and on manufactured touches without requiring a lengthy adjustment period.

Samuel is no longer the player who produced more than 1,700 yards from scrimmage during his 2021 All-Pro season, but San Francisco does not need him to recreate that performance.

The 49ers need a reliable veteran who understands the offense and can fill multiple roles while their younger receivers recover and develop. Samuel gives them that without requiring a long-term financial commitment.

His return also provides both sides with a low-risk opportunity. San Francisco receives immediate depth, while Samuel gets a chance to rebuild his market value in the system where he previously enjoyed his greatest success.

Packers Activate Tucker Kraft From PUP

The Green Bay Packers have activated tight end Tucker Kraft from the physically unable to perform list approximately eight-and-a-half months after he underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Kraft will initially participate in individual drills and walkthrough work rather than full team periods. Green Bay plans to remain cautious until he passes the nine-month point in his recovery.

The 25-year-old caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games before suffering the injury last November. He is entering the final season of his rookie contract.

Activation does not mean Kraft is ready for an unrestricted workload, but it does make a Week 1 return more realistic.

The Packers need that progress because Luke Musgrave remains on the PUP list with a neck injury. Without Kraft and Musgrave, Green Bay has very little proven experience at tight end.

Kraft also has an individual financial incentive to return at full strength. A productive season would place him in position to earn a significant extension or test the open market next spring.

Alim McNeill Exits Lions Practice

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill left Friday’s practice early because of an apparent neck issue.

McNeill walked off under his own power and appeared to be in good spirits afterward. The injury is not believed to be connected to the torn ACL he previously suffered.

Rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder also exited with a leg issue. Detroit may not provide another substantial update until head coach Dan Campbell speaks with reporters after the team’s weekend break.

McNeill’s history makes any early departure worth monitoring, even when the initial signs appear encouraging. Detroit needs him healthy in the middle of a defense attempting to improve its consistency against both the run and pass.

The weekend off gives the Lions time to evaluate McNeill without immediately deciding whether he will miss another practice. The larger concern would begin if the neck problem prevents him from returning when Detroit resumes work Sunday.

NFL Transactions — July 31, 2026

• Buffalo Bills – Signed cornerback D.J. Miller Jr.
• Buffalo Bills – Released safety Wande Owens
• Denver Broncos – Signed defensive back Sam Webb
• Denver Broncos – Released wide receiver Blake Cotton
• Detroit Lions – Signed tight end Anthony Firkser
• Detroit Lions – Released tight end Zach Horton
• New England Patriots – Released linebacker Otis Reese
• San Francisco 49ers – Signed wide receiver Trenton Irwin
• San Francisco 49ers – Signed tight end Josiah Deguara
• San Francisco 49ers – Released cornerback Derrick Canteen
• San Francisco 49ers – Released tight end Tanner McLachlan

San Francisco’s activity reflects the urgency created by its growing injury list. Samuel receives the attention, but Irwin and Deguara give the team additional experienced options at positions where availability has become a problem.

Buffalo continues adjusting its secondary and special-teams depth, while Detroit replaced one tight end with a veteran who has appeared for several teams.

Most of these transactions will not decide division races by themselves. They matter because training camp injuries force teams to discover how much usable depth they truly possess.

Samuel’s return is the largest move of the day because it reconnects a proven player with an offense designed to maximize his versatility. The 49ers still need their injured receivers to recover, but they are no longer waiting without taking action.

Kraft’s activation gives Green Bay a different kind of encouragement. The Packers are not adding a new player; they are gradually recovering one who had already become an important part of their offense.

The situations involving Romo and McNeill will require additional information. CBS must determine how to handle its lead analyst beyond the immediate schedule, while Detroit needs to confirm that McNeill’s early exit was precautionary rather than the beginning of another extended absence.