NFL Player News

Coach Frank Reich said Thursday that Sanders suffered "a little bit of a tweak in his groin" at practice Wednesday and is unlikely to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Jets, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Sanders' injury appears minor at this stage, but it will be worth monitoring his health. Carolina's coaching staff has talked up the veteran back as a true three-down option on offense, so if healthy he looks to be facing a tantalizing workload to ease the burden of rookie quarterback Bryce Young. With Sanders expected to miss Saturday's preseason game, Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear could both have opportunities to work with the first-team offense.

Harris (knee) won't practice Thursday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Back-to-back missed practices make Harris unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game, though coach Sean McDermott said Thursday that he believes the RB is heading in the right direction with his injury. Harris is competing with James Cook and Latavius Murray for playing time after coming over from New England as a free agent this spring.

Wilkins will work out with the Browns this week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston reports.

The Browns are perusing the market for another running back while the current No. 2 option on the depth chart, Jerome Ford, is considered week-to-week with a hamstring injury. Wilkins spent last season on the practice squads of Tennessee and Indianapolis, the latter whom activated him for four games.

Huntley signed a contract with Indianapolis on Wednesday.

After finishing the past season on Pittsburgh's practice squad, the 2020 fifth-round pick was recently waived by the Steelers. The Colts are thin at running back heading into the preseason with Jonathan Taylor (ankle) on the PUP list, Zack Moss out with a broken arm, and Deon Jackson missing practice this week due to an undisclosed injury. Huntley could get work in preseason games as a result, but he's still a long shot to make the final roster. Given the fluidity in the Indianapolis backfield, however, anything seems possible.

Jackson missed Tuesday's practice with an undisclosed injury, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 Indianapolis reports.

While the nature or severity of Jackson's injury isn't clear, his absence from practice is less than ideal for a Colts squad that will head into its preseason opener Saturday versus the Bills with top running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) on the PUP list and Zack Moss out with a broken arm. In light of the injuries to Taylor, Moss and Jackson, the Colts signed Jason Huntley on Wednesday to add depth to the running back room. If Jackson is able to quickly move past his injury, he could have a significant role with the Colts if Taylor remains sidelined for the start of the regular season. However, the Colts are also reportedly in talks to sign free agent Kareem Hunt, so they may add a veteran instead of giving Jackson a look in a leading role in that scenario.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Walker (groin) has progressed to running at full speed in a straight line, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Walker is considered week-to-week while he's been sidelined since the first day of training camp due to a minor groin strain. While the Seahawks plan for the running back to move on to cutting in the next few days, he'll nonetheless be sidelined for Thursday's preseason opener versus the Vikings. With rookie seventh-rounder Kenny McIntosh also tending to a sprained knee at the moment, 2023 second-rounder Zach Charbonnet, DeeJay Dallas, Bryant Koback, SaRodorick Thompson and Wayne Taulapapa are the team's healthy and available backs.

The Cardinals placed Mack (Achilles) on injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

While running into the right flat at Tuesday's practice, Mack attempted to haul in a pass and lost his footing. He required assistance to get to the locker room, and after undergoing tests, he was revealed Wednesday to have sustained a torn left Achilles. He previously tore his right Achilles in the 2020 season opener, which kept him sidelined until Week 2 of the 2021 campaign. Considering the nature of the current health concern, Mack will miss the upcoming campaign, leaving Keaontay Ingram (abdomen), Corey Clement, Ty'Son Williams and Emari Demercado as the Cardinals' reserve running backs behind No. 1 option James Conner.

Harris has logged more meaningful snaps in training camp than fellow second-year back Pierre Strong while Ty Montgomery (leg) has missed practice time, Chad Graff of the The Athletic reports.

Rhamondre Stevenson's role as the team's top back isn't in any doubt, but Harris, Strong and Montgomery (when healthy) are in the mix to see complementary work this coming season. The Patriots could bring in a veteran such as Ezekiel Elliott to bolster their depth behind Stevenson, but if that doesn't happen, Harris could end up carving out a role as the primary backup in early-down situations.

Strong is among the younger Patriots players who is expected to see some early action in Thursday's preseason opener against the Texans, Paul Perillo of the team's official site reports.

While head coach Bill Belichick hasn't specifically outlined his plans for who will play in Thursday, based on the way Tuesday's practice played out, the Patriots appear set to rest or limit a number of key players. As a result, the door could be open for the likes of Strong, fellow running back Kevin Harris, and receivers Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas to get some run with the team's reserve quarterbacks versus Houston. Though Rhamondre Stevenson is entrenched as the Patriots' top back, both Strong and Harris are competing for complementary work, with the continuing absence of Ty Montgomery (leg) having afforded the pair of 2022 draftees added opportunities in practice of late. While the 5-foot-10, 225-pound Harris is a candidate to spell Stevenson on early downs, Strong's speed could make him a change-of-pace asset this coming season.

Mack sustained a torn left Achilles' tendon during practice Tuesday, Dani Sureck of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Mack had just signed with Arizona on Friday, but his hopes of playing in the NFL this season are effectively over. The 27-year-old previously suffered a torn right Achilles' tendon in Week 1 of the 2020 campaign, and he's struggled to find a consistent role in the league ever since. Mack will now work to get healthy, although it's unclear what his future may hold heading into the 2024 season.