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Chiefs special teams coordinator said that because of the new kickoff rules, the team has considered not using Harrison Butker on kickoffs.

Advice: Toub points out that the new kickoff rules could require kickers to be more involved in tackles — something the Chiefs may prefer for Butker to avoid. Toub said the team watched every kickoff in the XFL, which first experimented with this rule, and found that kickers were involved in “at least 25 to 40 percent of the tackles” in the tape they watched. Toub said safety Justin Reid has been viewed as a potential option to replace Butker on kickoffs, but it doesn’t seem like anything is definite at this time. It wouldn’t be surprising to see other teams consider this approach to avoid injuries to their kickers. Rotoworld Thursday, 12:27 pm

Beck missed Thursday's practice because of a calf strain, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Advice: This is expected to be a short-term issue for Beck. The 28-year-old fullback is looking to hold off Troy Hairston (back) for the starting gig in 2024. Through 15 games last season, Beck rushed five times for three yards and a score and caught 11 of 13 targets for 55 yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded 94 yards and a touchdown as a kick returner. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:01 am

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said he’s “definitely” seeing significant progress from Trey Lance this offseason.

Advice: Lance continues to work his way back to relevance after being traded to the Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick last summer. Lance didn’t play a regular season snap in 2023, but McCarthy said, “He’s close to being a master of the system” and that Lance has a “really high understanding.” He added that getting Lance as many reps as possible will be key to him taking the next step in his development. Lance’s long-term NFL future is very much up in the air at this time, but the Cowboys may have some underlying incentives — particularly when it comes to Dak Prescott’s contract situation — to develop him as best they can. If he displays the potential that made him the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft, it’s possible he will eventually get a chance to battle for a starting job with the Cowboys or elsewhere. Rotoworld Thursday, 9:14 am

As the coming season approaches, Austin is in line to compete with several newcomers for depth chart slotting behind top wideout George Pickens, Chris Ward of Steelersnow.com reports.

Advice: In the wake of the offseason departures of Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson, the Steelers added Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Scott Miller via free agency and used a third-round draft pick on Roman Wilson. Austin, who was taken in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, is coming off a 2023 regular season in which he caught 17 of his 30 targets for 180 yards and a TD while rushing 11 times for 57 yards and a TD in 17 games. In his third season as a pro, the speedy 5-foot-9, 162-pounder has an opportunity to carve out an increased role in Pittsburgh's offense under new coordinator Arthur Smith. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:47 am

Brightwell (hamstring) was waived by the Giants with an injury designation Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Advice: Brightwell ended the 2023 season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, but it's unclear if that's the issue he's currently dealing with. He has rushed 41 times for 164 yards and a touchdown and has caught 11 passes for 92 yards through 37 games with the Giants. If the running back clears waivers, he'll revert to IR, where he'd be slated to remain unless he reaches an injury settlement. Rotowire.com Thursday, 7:48 am