NFL Player News

Colts coach Shane Steichen told reporters this offseason that it's a "fair assessment" to have concern about Taylor's workload, but Steichen also said it's hard to take his star running back off the field when he's playing so well, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan reports.

Steichen avoided the usual cliches about getting multiple running backs involved, instead telling reporters that he wants to see how Seth McGowan and DJ Giddens "come along" during training camp and then "go from there." In other words, Steichen isn't sure if he has another running back he can trust behind Taylor, who finished second at the position in both snap share (82.5 percent) and total offensive snaps (879) last season. Ameer Abdullah, now in Jacksonville, had a role as a third-down and hurry-up RB for part of the year, catching 16 passes on 85 snaps. The other running backs, including Giddens, barely saw the field unless it was on special teams or in the fourth quarter of a blowout. The Colts added McGowan in the seventh round this spring after taking Giddens in the fifth round last year, and their other depth RBs are all undrafted players with no meaningful NFL experience. Long story short, Taylor is primed for another huge workload, with the bigger concern being general offensive efficiency in Indianapolis as Jones comes back from major surgery to rejoin an offense that no longer has WR Michael Pittman (Steelers) or RT Braden Smith (Texans).

The Bills signed Wheeler to a one-year deal on Thursday, Alec White of the team's official site reports.

Wheeler signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2024 before suffering a knee injury that killed all momentum in his rookie season. The running back joined the Saints' practice squad in 2025 before departing the league for the UFL. Wheeler was named United Bowl MVP and rushed for 541 yards over 85 carries in 11 games during the 2026 UFL season. The 24-year-old will compete for a depth spot with the Bills behind 2025 rushing-title winner James Cook.

Hampton said Wednesday that he and the other Chargers running backs are excited to play for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, NFL.com's Bobby Kownack reports.

Hampton also mentioned earning a Terrell Davis comp from McDaniel this offseason. There's understandably a lot of hype around the Chargers offense with McDaniel taking over and OTs Joe Alt (foot) and Rashawn Slater (knee) expected to return from last year's season-ending injuries. The situation is indeed promising for Hampton in terms of per-carry efficiency and TD upside, but there's been some doubt about his workload projection after the Chargers gave Keaton Mitchell a two-year, $9.3 million contract this offseason. They also still have Kimani Vidal, but Hampton is the largest of the bunch (6-foot, 220 pounds) and probably also the best pass catcher -- without sacrificing much in terms of speed (4.46 40) or agility. If McDaniel's offense lives up to the hype, Hampton won't need 300 carries to make his fantasy managers happy.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn named White as one of the standout performers from OTAs and minicamp, but Quinn also cautioned that he expects multiple RBs to contribute and isn't sure if there will be a designated starter, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

The Commanders also have Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kaytron Allen, Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols competing for playing time, with Croskey-Merritt presumably being the other favorite to start. White easily has the most NFL experience of the group as both a rusher and pass catcher, but his efficiency on the ground was often a negative in Tampa Bay -- which is why he settled for a one-year, $2 million contract after piling up 4,106 yards from scrimmage and 25 TDs in four seasons. He's making a good impression with his new team and seems locked in for a Week 1 role, though it remains to be seen if White will get considerable rushing volume or be deployed more like a passing-down specialist.

Croskey-Merritt (undisclosed) participated in Tuesday's minicamp practice, John Keim of ESPN reports.

Croskey-Merritt missed time during the Commanders' voluntary OTAs due to an unspecified soft-tissue injury. However, the running back returned to the field Tuesday and looking healthy in the process, per Zach Selby of the team's official site. Now that he's back in the mix, Croskey-Merritt -- who logged a team-high 805 rushing yards on 175 carries and nine catches for 68 yards in 17 regular-season games in 2025 -- will look to solidify his key role in a crowded Washington backfield that also includes Rachaad White, Kaytron Allen, Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols

Broncos coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that Harvey (shoulder) is a "full go" for mandatory minicamp, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Harvey underwent an offseason procedure to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, but the 2025 second-round pick already appears cleared for all practice activities. Payton said the running back is having a "real good" offseason so far. Harvey projects to be a key playmaker out of the backfield for Denver in Year 2, though he faces notable competition for touches from veteran J.K. Dobbins and rookie fourth-round pick Jonah Coleman. While suiting up for all 17 regular-season games as a rookie, Harvey rushed 146 times for 540 yards and seven touchdowns and secured 47 of 58 targets for 356 yards and another five scores.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Tuesday that Neal (undisclosed) will be limited at minicamp due to a minor injury suffered in early June, Erin Summers of ESPN reports.

Neal's exact injury remains undisclosed, but it doesn't appear severe enough to cause concern about his status for the start of training camp in July. Still, the 2025 sixth-round pick will be limited at mandatory minicamp as he competes for a backfield role. With New Orleans having inked Travis Etienne to a four-year, $52 million contract in March while still carrying Alvin Kamara on the roster, there may not be much work available for backups Neal, Kendre Miller (ACL), Ty Chandler and Audric Estime.

Harvey reportedly underwent an offseason procedure to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder that he sustained during Denver's season-ending AFC Championship Game loss to New England, according to Luca Evans of The Denver Post.

Evans also notes that while Harvey was practicing during the Broncos' OTAs, he didn't do much in the process. With that in mind, the running back's participation level in the team's upcoming mandatory minicamp, and then also in training camp, will be worth monitoring, but at this stage there's nothing to suggest his regular-season status will be impacted. Looking ahead to the coming campaign, Harvey is slated to maintain a key role in a Denver backfield committee that also is set to include J.K. Dobbins and rookie fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman.

As the coming season approaches, Allen appears on track to maintain a role on passing downs, John Shipley of Sports Illustrated reports.

With Travis Etienne -- who recorded 260 carries and 36 catches in 17 regular-season games for the Jaguars in 2025 -- now with the Saints, Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez (foot) and Allen are slated to lead the team's backfield in 2026. As a rookie seventh-rounder last year, Allen played in all 17 regular-season contests, while logging 23 carries for 94 yards and catching 10 of 11 targets for 54 yards. As the team looks to reallocate Etienne's touches, Allen is a candidate to see an uptick in work this season, notably in passing situations, while Tuten and Rodriguez pave the way on early downs. As a result, Allen could end up on the fantasy radar in deeper PPR formats.

Reid (undisclosed) reverted to the Bills' injured-reserve list Friday after being waived Thursday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

The undrafted running back from the University of Pittsburgh will have to miss the entire 2026 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the Bills. Reid played in seven games during his senior season at Pitt, recording 278 rushing yards and two touchdowns over 60 carries. He also recorded 23 receptions for 317 yards and two touchdowns.