Jordan Hicks: Everything you need to know

Hicks announced Friday on Instagram that he's retiring from the NFL, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports. The Browns are now without their top two linebackers from the first half of last season, having already ruled out Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) for 2025 after he missed the final nine games of 2024. Hicks had 78 tackles (solo), including 2.0 sacks, and four pass defenses across 12 games last year, averaging 50.3 defensive snaps per game in his first and last season with the Browns. He started 131 of his 134 regular-season games for four teams and will retire just shy of 1,000 tackles (952). The Browns, meanwhile, are left with Jerome Baker, Devin Bush, rookie Carson Schwesinger and Mohamoud Diabate as the favorites for linebacker snaps.

Hicks (concussion) participated during OTAs on Tuesday, Kennedy Rodriguez of the Browns' official site reports. Hicks sat out the last game of Cleveland's 2024 season due to a concussion, but he's healthy again for offseason workouts. The veteran was playing a near every-down role by the end of last year, and he projects to play a major role again in 2025. However, the Browns added competition in the draft in the form of second-rounder Carson Schwesinger, who could cut into Hicks' snap count.

Nyquist managed an assist and two shots on goal in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Jets. Ryan O'Reilly won a faceoff and Nyquist got the puck to Filip Forsberg for a quick goal at 4:26 of the first period. The helper ended a nine-game point drought for Nyquist, who was moved up to the top line at even strength and led the Predators' forwards with 21:32 of ice time Thursday. His offense has largely been unreliable in 2024-25, and he adds little else statistically. The veteran winger is at 21 points, 71 shots on net and a minus-20 rating across 57 outings this season.