NFL Player News

Blackshear appears to be in line for an expanded offensive role under the Panthers' new coaching staff, reports Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer.

Blackshear was singled out as an "under-the-radar" standout in spring practices by coach Frank Reich, according to Kaye. Signed by Carolina in September 2022 after he was cut by the Bills, Blackshear appeared in 13 games for the Panthers last season, rushing 23 times for 77 yards and three touchdowns in mop-up duties behind D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard. He also caught 10 balls for 93 yards, and serving as a pass-catching complement to Miles Sanders could be his primary ticket to playing time this season.

Dobbins (undisclosed) declined to comment on reports he missed June minicamp due to a soft tissue injury and suggested Thursday that he's frustrated with his contract situation, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports. "The business side is very hard. It's very different," Dobbins told WJZ-TV on Thursday. "You saw with Lamar [Jackson]. It's never just roses and daisies."

Coach John Harbaugh cited an unspecified soft tissue injury earlier in the week to explain Dobbins' absence from practice, while the running back seems to be saying his contract was a factor. They both said he'll be back on the field for training camp, with Dobbins making it clear he hopes to sign an extension in the interim as he enters the final season of his rookie contract. The 24-year-old has averaged 5.9 yards on 226 carries since the Ravens selected him 55th overall in the 2020 Draft, but he's missed more games (27) than he's played (23) and has caught only 25 passes. Dobbins should be at least somewhat more active as a pass catcher under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who told reporters Thursday that he's excited to see Dobbins on the field and knows the Ravens "certainly are better with him" out there. Dobbins was with the team during minicamp despite not practicing and said he'd ideally like to spend the rest of his career with the Ravens, but things could become more tenuous if he still doesn't have a new contract later this summer.

Thompson was waived by New Orleans on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Thompson went undrafted this year and signed with the Saints last month before they cut him Thursday. At Texas Tech, the running back accumulated 2,664 yards on the ground and 526 yards through the air with 41 total touchdowns over his five-year college career.

Edwards (undisclosed) returned to practice for June minicamp, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

He missed OTAs the week prior, with coach John Harbaugh suggesting it was a matter of caution rather than a setback or serious injury. Edwards missed all of 2021 and the first six games of 2022 after suffering an ACL tear in the 2021 preseason, then sat out an additional three games last November with a hamstring injury. He and the Ravens reached an agreement in March to reduce his salary for the upcoming season, the final year of his contract, though the remaining money is guaranteed and he can earn the rest back via incentives. Edwards thus stands as the favorite to land second on the depth chart behind J.K. Dobbins, who missed June minicamp with a soft tissue injury that Harbaugh doesn't consider serious. Behind those two, the Ravens have fifth-year pro Justice Hill and undrafted rookies Keaton Mitchell and Owen Wright

Dobbins was held out of June minicamp with a soft tissue injury, Kevin Eck of the Ravens' official website reports.

Coach John Harbaugh suggested the injury occurred earlier this offseason, saying he'd thought Dobbins would be ready for June minicamp and still expects him to be fine for the start of training camp in late July, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. The 24-year-old has another breakout opportunity ahead in the final season of his rookie contract, after an ACL tear cost him all of 2021 and led to mid-season arthroscopic surgery in 2022. Dobbins looked like his old self once he recovered from the procedure en route to 505 total yards in five games (including playoffs) while averaging 6.6 YPC. He's locked in as the lead runner in Baltimore and should see more targets under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, though Gus Edwards is still around to poach some carries while Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell are candidates to handle passing situations.

Taylor (ankle) sat out the Colts' spring practices but is hoping to be ready for the start of training camp next month, the Indianapolis Star reports.

A lingering high-ankle sprain hampered Taylor last season, and in January the running back underwent what Ian Rapoport of NFL Network referred to afterward as "an arthroscopic debridement, a minimally invasive procedure to clean out the ankle." Once training camp rolls around, Taylor -- who is headed into the final year of his rookie contract -- aims to join his teammates on the field, though it's possible he could be limited to begin with. Assuming no setbacks, the 24-year-old will reclaim his role as the Colts' undisputed top back and will look to engineer a bounce-back effort following a subpar (by his standards) 2022 campaign in which he carried 192 times for 861 yards and four TDs while adding 28 catches for 143 yards in 11 games.

Perine was diagnosed with a bruised thumb after his early exit from practice Wednesday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Even a relatively severe thumb injury wouldn't be too worrisome at this time of the year with nearly three months to recover before Week 1. The real concern in the Denver backfield is Javonte Williams' ongoing rehab from ACL and LCL tears, though coach Sean Payton reiterated Thursday that he's "optimistic" about the 23-year-old's progress. Perine signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract in March and is the only RB on the roster besides Williams with 100 or more NFL touches. Behind those two, the Broncos have Tony Jones, Tyler Badie and undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin.

Mason has been operating as the 49ers' third running back during offseason activities, Jerry McDonald of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Mason's standing on the depth chart shouldn't come as a surprise following his strong showing on special teams and as a reserve option out of the backfield in 2022. The then-undrafted rookie quickly surpassed third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price on the depth chart, and he appears set to maintain that position as the two battle for spots behind starter Christian McCaffrey and top backup Elijah Mitchell.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that Perine made an early exit from practice to have his thumb evaluated, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

After emerging as a viable backup in Cincinnati from 2020 through 2022 -- he tallied 4.4 yards per carry and an 80.9 percent catch rate -- Perine linked up with Denver this offseason on a two-year, $7.5 million contract. In the event that Javonte Williams (knee) doesn't recover from the ACL and LCL tears by Week 1, Perine would have a prime opportunity to produce out of the Broncos backfield. First, though, Perine will need to recover from his current health concern -- which Payton downplayed -- in advance of training camp in late July.

Harris has a chance to carve out a complementary role behind lead back Rhamondre Stevenson heading into the 2023 season, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Barring any further additions to the backfield, the Patriots will have Harris compete with the likes of Ty Montgomery, J.J. Taylor and Pierre Strong for work behind Stevenson after the team let Damien Harris walk in free agency and then recently cut James Robinson. Harris, who logged 18 carries as a rookie in 2022, will look to emerge as an option to spell Stevenson on early downs, while the versatile Ty Montgomery and Strong may be more in the mix for third-down/change-of-pace touches. Per Lazar, Harris appears to be in "terrific shape" as the coming season approaches, and the 22-year-old has displayed "a noticeable extra burst this offseason."