NFL Player News

Strong (concussion) is expected to rejoin the team this week after not traveling to Green Bay for Saturday's preseason contest, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The report relays that Strong's recent absence from practice was due to him being in the NFL's concussion protocol, however it looks like the 2022 fourth-rounder will be back on the field in the coming days. While the Patriots' addition of Ezekiel Elliott (to work in tandem with Rhamondre Stevenson) impacts Strong's fantasy value in 2023, the 24-year-old's speed does give him a chance to earn a role in a backfield that also includes Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor and Ty Montgomery, the latter of whom continues to miss time with a leg injury.

Ingram is the frontrunner for the No. 2 RB job after taking nine touches for 48 yards in Saturday's preseason loss to Kansas City, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports.

Ingram came back strong in the second week of the preseason after an abdominal injury kept him out for most of training camp and the first exhibition. It helps that the Cardinals don't have much else behind starter James Conner, otherwise relying on veteran special teamer Corey Clement, 2021 UDFA Ty'Son Williams and undrafted rookie Emari Demercado. Conner's injury history makes the RB2 role in Arizona all the more interesting, even after Ingram's rough rookie season with 31 touches for only 81 yards.

Hubbard (ankle) returned to practice Monday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

As did starter Miles Sanders, who missed the past week and a half with a groin injury. Hubbard made it back even faster, practicing only three days after he suffered an ankle injury in Friday's 21-19 preseason loss to the Giants. Sanders' absence allowed Hubbard to start the first two preseason games, in which he carried 12 times for 39 yards and caught his lone target for three yards. With those two locked in atop the depth chart, the real question in Carolina's backfield is how things play out behind them between Raheem Blackshear, Spencer Brown and Camerun Peoples.

Offensive coordinator Matt Canada said Monday that Harris is undoubtedly Pittsburgh's top running back, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

Jaylen Warren ripped off a 62-yard TD in Saturday's exhibition against Buffalo, while Harris has three touches for only five yards through two preseason appearances. Canada confirmed that the light workload is merely about preserving Harris for the regular season, at which point he'll remain the lead rusher but figures to lose some snaps to Warren, particularly on passing downs. The Steelers OC told reporters that he still expects "Najee to be Najee" once the regular season begins, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com.

Sanders (groin) is practicing Monday in full pads, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Sanders hasn't practiced since Aug. 10 due to a lingering groin injury, so to see him back on the field Monday represents a significant step in the right direction. The Panthers still may opt for caution and hold Sanders out of Friday's preseason finale against the Lions, given his importance as a likely three-down option out of the backfield, depending on his immediate practice workload. Still, even if Sanders has to gradually ramp back up, this is cause for increased confidence that he's on track for Week 1's divisional matchup against the Falcons.

Johnson agreed to a deal with the Bills on Monday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The report notes that Johnson, who was released by the Jets with a non-football injury designation in April, has moved past a pectoral injury that he had been dealing with. Now that he's healthy, the 2019 sixth-rounder is in a position to help fill the void created by Nyheim Hines' season-ending knee injury. In that context, Johnson should have a chance to compete for third-down work in a Buffalo backfield that also includes James Cook, Damien Harris and Latavius Murray.

Pacheco (shoulder) is present for Monday's practice in a red jersey, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Pacheco has shed his non-contact jersey for the first time in training camp, and coach Andy Reid said "there's a chance" he suits up for his preseason debut in Saturday's exhibition finale against the Browns, per Nate Taylor of The Athletic. The Chiefs had long listed Aug. 20 as Pacheco's target date for contact clearance, so he remains right on track in his recovery. As such, it looks like the second-year pro still is on track for Week 1.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that Achane is week-to-week with a shoulder injury, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

On the plus side, the report notes that Achane avoided a serious injury during Saturday's preseason game against the Texans after having a defensive lineman fall on him, but at this stage it appears safe to assume that the 2023 third-rounder won't play in this weekend's preseason finale against the Jaguars. Once Achane is ready to return to the mix, he'll have an opportunity to secure a role in a Miami backfield that also rosters Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed. However, the level of Achane's early-season involvement clearly hinges on how quickly he's able to bounce back from his injury.

Williams hasn't seen action in either of the Rams' first two preseason games.

The same applies to the Rams' presumed top back Cam Akers, which has given the trio of Zach Evans, Royce Freeman and Ronnie Rivers opportunities to log exhibition carries as they compete for depth slotting in the team's backfield. Jourdan Rodrigue of the Athletic previously noted that Williams, who dealt with injuries as a rookie last season, look good in both the run and pass game in training camp. Based on the team's current roster composition, the 2022 fifth-rounder looks poised to approach the coming season in a position to handle complementary work as Akers' understudy.

McLaughlin rushed seven times for 45 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for eight yards and another score in Saturday's 21-20 preseason loss to the 49ers.

McLaughlin continues to impress with the Broncos, as the undrafted rookie accounted for Denver's only offensive points Saturday. The 22-year-old running back has continuously impressed during training camp with both his play and his dedication to learning the offense. If McLaughlin continues to turn heads, he has a solid chance to move up the depth chart behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine. It's important to note McLaughlin was also used as a returner, running a kickoff back 44 yards in the contest. The Youngstown State product could therefore also carve out a role on special teams, helping him to secure a roster spot ahead of the 2023 campaign.