NFL Player News

Ekeler isn't present Monday for voluntary offseason workouts, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

This was expected, with no progress reported since Ekeler requested and received permission in March to seek a trade. He wants an extension as he heads into the final season of a four-year contract that he's easily outplayed, and his trade request seems to be an acknowledgement that the Chargers are unlikely to give him the deal he wants. There's a possible holdout brewing with the first mandatory team activities only a few weeks away, though it's still possible the team changes its mind on contract terms or finds a trade partner willing to give up a lot for Ekeler. The Chargers don't have much else in their backfield, with returning reserves Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller and Larry Rountree thus far joined by only a pair of undrafted rookies (Elijah Dotson and Tyler Hoosman).

Patrick signed a contract with the Broncos on Sunday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Patrick has spent time with the Bengals, 49ers, Panthers and Ravens after going undrafted out of Florida State. However, he most recently played in the XFL with San Antonio, where he accumulated 443 yards on 115 carries. He'll work to earn a depth role in Denver's backfield.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton believes there's a "good chance" Williams will avoid the PUP list to begin training camp, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

This is the first bit of reported optimism regarding Williams' status to start the 2023 season given general manager George Paton had previously made couched remarks regarding the star running back's availability when August rolls around. The third-year player saw his 2022 season cut short in Week 4 after tearing his ACL and LCL along with severe bruising in other areas of his knee. Rehab from the season-ending surgery was thought to be a long road, but evidently the 23-year-old has made significant progress over the last couple of months. Samaje Perine would likely have first crack at the starting role if Williams was unable to play Week 1.

Gibbs suffered a minor ankle injury Friday and won't practice Saturday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

It's only rookie minicamp at this point, with the first set of OTAs coming May 23-25. Gibbs should be a big part of Detroit's offense from the jump after he and Bijan Robinson became the first RBs since 2018 to get drafted in the first half of the first round. The Lions traded D'Andre Swift to Philadelphia two days later, completing an offseason backfield makeover in which they swapped out Swift and Jamaal Williams (Saints) for Gibbs and David Montgomery. It's certainly an upgrade in terms of athleticism, with Gibbs offering 4.36 speed and double-threat college production (2,132 rushing yards and 1,212 receiving yards in three seasons), while Montgomery profiles as a younger and more versatile version of Williams.

Smith and the Seahawks have come to terms on a contract, John Boyle of the team's official website reports.

Smith, a undrafted free agent, was a dynamic running back and kick returner during his time at Louisiana-Lafayette. He ended his collegiate career with 2,167 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns on 373 carries to go along with 410 yards and three touchdowns on 52 receptions. He will now look to showcase his talents at OTAs and training camp in hopes of ultimately earning a role on Seattle's roster.

Robinson, who believes he's fully past the Achilles injury that he sustained at the end of the 2021 season, is slated to have a chance to compete for the Patriots' No. 2 RB role behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

Robinson, who turns 25 in August, rushed for 1,070 yards in 2020 after signing with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. However, since then Jacksonville's first-round selection of Travis Etienne in 2021, coupled with injuries Robinson has dealt with, have thwarted his momentum as a pro, and the Illinois State product now is looking to reboot his career with New England (with whom he signed a two-year deal with modest guarantees in March) after seeing limited action down the stretch last season following his October trade to the Jets. With the Patriots, Robinson has a chance to help fill the void created by the offseason departure of Damien Harris, and if he's healthy enough to run with the pace he did as a rookie, the 5-foot-9, 219-pounder's ability as a pass catcher (he caught 49 passes in 2020) could allow Robinson to carve out a key complementary role behind Stevenson in a backfield that also includes Ty Montgomery and 2022 draftees Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris.

Koback signed with the Seahawks on Wednesday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Koback spent last season on Minnesota's practice squad and will now head to Seattle. Joining a crowded backfield, the 25-year-old will likely be competing for a roster spot going into the upcoming campaign.

Jones worked with quarterback Jordan Love in California this offseason, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jones suggested Wednesday that earning Aaron Rodgers' trust had been a big factor in his personal success, per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. The 28-year-old running back now hopes to form a similar on-field relationship with the Packers' new starting quarterback, hoping his experience as a pass catcher and blocker can help Love thrive. The Packers are again likely to run much of their offense through Jones and power back AJ Dillon, with Love's mobility potentially adding a third component defenses need to be aware of on the ground. Jones had odd stat lines in his final season playing alongside Rodgers, getting only two touchdowns out of a career-high 1,121 rushing yards but then five touchdowns from 395 receiving yards. The receiving production will be tougher to maintain post-Rodgers, though Jones should remain one of the team's pass-catching priorities given how young the Packers are at wide receiver and tight end.

Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan recently suggested Evans and Trayveon Williams will have opportunities to earn more snaps this season, Richard Skinner of Local 12 Cincinnati reports.

Callahan made his comments after the Bengals took Chase Brown in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, mentioning that Evans has only been used as a passing-game back so far but will have chances to show improvement as a ballcarrier during the preseason. Apart from the incoming fifth-round pick, Cincinnati hasn't added any other backfield depth to help replace Samaje Perine, who signed with the Broncos in free agency. Granted, the team may still add a veteran at some point, especially if starter Joe Mixon's off-field issues or cap hit become a problem. Evans and Williams are sixth-round picks -- 2021 and 2019, respectively -- with fewer than 100 combined touches in the NFL, but they look poised to open offseason practices as Nos. 2 and 3 on the depth chart in either order.

Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan recently referred to Williams as an "ascending player" and suggested the running back should get "more opportunities" in 2023, Richard Skinner of Local 12 Cincinnati reports.

The 2019 sixth-round pick is entering his fifth season with the Bengals and re-signed this March after playing only 138 offensive snaps in 34 games over the past four years. Williams has bounced between third, fourth and fifth on the depth chart at running back, but he played significant snaps on special teams as a rookie (124) and again in 2022 (127). He may now get the chance to earn some playing time on offense, as the Bengals lost No. 2 back Samaje Perine to the Broncos this offseason and so far have added only fifth-round pick Chase Brown to a position group that otherwise includes Williams, Joe Mixon and Chris Evans. There's also been some questioning of Mixon's future with the team, though the Bengals likely will bring in a veteran free agent if they move on from their starter or he's suspended in connection with a recent misdemeanor charge of aggravated menacing.