NFL Player News

The Colts are signing Drake, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

With top back Jonathan Taylor on the active/PUP list due to an ankle issue and in the midst of an ongoing contract dispute -- and Zack Moss' Week 1 status in question due to a broken arm -- Drake gives the Colts' backfield some added depth and experience ahead of the team's preseason opener. His main competition for depth slotting will be Deon Jackson, Evan Hull and Jake Funk, but if Drake impresses this summer, he could emerge as a candidate for Week 1 touches, pending the status of both Taylor and Moss.

The Browns waived McCrary on Friday.

The 24-year-old inked a reserve/future deal with Cleveland back in January but will look for a new home to compete for a job. Entering his third season out of Saginaw Valley State, McCrary has just one carry in the NFL.

Miller has an opportunity to earn a larger role early in the season, as Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports that Alvin Kamara will be suspended for the first three games of the season for his role in a 2022 altercation in Las Vegas.

Miller's still behind offseason addition Jamaal Williams on the depth chart, but Williams has never reached 40 receptions in a season, which could create an opening for the rookie in passing situations while Kamara serves his three-game suspension. Miller believes his receiving skills were underutilized in college at TCU, and the 2023 third-round pick will have a chance to showcase his pass-catching acumen in an expanded role to begin his NFL career.

Williams is set to begin the 2023 season atop New Orleans' running back depth chart, as Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports that Alvin Kamara will be suspended for the first three games of the season for his role in a 2022 altercation in Las Vegas.

Williams signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Saints in the offseason after leading the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns as a member of the Lions last season. He's expected to handle the majority of backfield touches while Kamara serves his suspension, though rookie third-round pick Kendre Miller will also be looking to carve out a role.

The NFL is suspending Kamara for three games for his role in a February 2022 incident in Las Vegas, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The punishment was announced two days after Kamara flew to New York to meet with league commissioner Roger Goodell. The 28-year-old will be able to practice with his teammates until the start of the regular season and will then be eligible to rejoin them ahead of Week 4. His upcoming absence, which has long been expected, leaves Jamaal Williams as the Saints' lead back for September, with rookie third-round pick Kendre Miller and Eno Benjamin also candidates to have roles.

Dye rushed nine times for 12 yards and didn't catch his only target in Thursday's 21-16 preseason loss to Cleveland.

Dye played most of the second half but didn't find any running room. Rookie fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda started and scored the Jets' only touchdown of the game. With Breece Hall (knee), Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and Abanikanda all well ahead of him on the depth chart, Dye's battling for a spot on the Jets' practice squad at best.

Coach Zac Taylor said Williams (ankle) is in a walking boot and considered week-to-week, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Williams was already diagnosed with a mild ankle sprain after going down in practice earlier in the week. The veteran is competing for the No. 2 running back job vacated by Samaje Perine behind Joe Mixon. Chris Evans and rookie Chase Brown will now soak up more of those opportunities in Williams' absence.

Ingram is tending to an undisclosed injury in the early stages of training camp, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

The first full week of camp has seen Ingram suited up for practice but spending his time on the side during drills, per Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com. Considering James Conner may not see many, if any, snaps during the preseason, Arizona added six-year pro Marlon Mack to its backfield Friday. As such, the team's backs not named Conner, Ingram and Mack are Corey Clement, Ty'Son Williams and Emari Demercado.

The Cardinals signed Mack to a one-year contract Friday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

After spending the first five years of his career with the Colts, the 2017 fourth-round pick split time between the 49ers and Broncos in 2022, ultimately turning 24 touches into 183 yards and two touchdowns in eight appearances. He ended last season on injured reserve due to a hamstring issue, but following a workout with the Cardinals on Thursday, he's a member of the team one day later. Arizona could use some RB depth in the preseason with starter James Conner unlikely to see much, if any, action. Plus, top backup Keaontay Ingram currently is dealing with an unknown injury, leaving Corey Clement, Ty'Son Williams, Mack and Emari Demercado as the other healthy options.

Johnson (undisclosed) returned to practice Friday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

The undisclosed injury was first reported Tuesday and kept Johnson sidelined for only a few days. The rookie fourth-round pick will now continue his effort to earn a role in a backfield that also includes Khalil Herbert, D'Onta Foreman and Travis Homer.