NFL Player News

Perine could see his most substantial workload of his career this season, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

Perine was signed by the Broncos this offseason due to the uncertainty of starter Javonte Williams' availability heading into the 2023 campaign. Though Denver appears to be optimistic that Williams could be ready for the start of training camp, it seems Perine is viewed by the Broncos coaching staff as more than just a backup plan. In discussing the veteran's signing, head coach Sean Payton indicated that "this is a guy that gave us flexibility. We signed him because we knew he was durable and reliable." Payton added, "I was taught a long time ago to stack them up at that position." Perine's potential for a higher usage rate should not come as much of a surprise, as Payton has a long history of using multiple running backs throughout his tenure as head coach of the Saints. According to Kosmider, "the Saints' second-leading rusher had more than 95 carries 11 times" in his 15 seasons with New Orleans. It appears the 27-year-old should have every opportunity to build upon the 4.4 yards per carry he averaged in his last three seasons with the Bengals, regardless of when Williams returns to the field.

Miller (knee) didn't participate in the Saints' rookie minicamp, John DeShazier of the team's official site reports.

Miller suffered a right MCL sprain during the College Football Playoff semifinal against Michigan and wasn't able to participate at the NFL Combine or TCU's Pro Day. The rookie third-round pick remained unavailable for the Saints' rookie minicamp, but he was still present and worked on his conditioning while watching from the sidelines. He has said he expects to be fully healthy for training camp, but he'll have an uphill battle for playing time behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. Miller was a downhill runner in college, totaling 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns on 224 carries during the 2022 campaign. However, he's a mostly unproven pass catcher, recording just 29 receptions for 229 yards across three seasons at TCU.

Felton will play as a running back during organized team activities, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Felton has been used in a variety of roles but hasn't taken hold as a receiver, back or return specialist. He hasn't been allowed to focus solely on running back and has just seven carries during his two years in Cleveland. At running back, he's third in line behind Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford, who played just 13 snaps on offense in 2022. The Browns have confidence in Ford, but Felton gives them a system-experienced backup plan.

Ford figures to start offseason practices as Cleveland's No. 2 running back, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Ford played 14 snaps on offense and 145 on special teams as a rookie last year, taking eight carries for 12 yards and 30 kick returns for 723 yards. He's now in a much better position to earn RB reps, as the Browns lost third-stringer D'Ernest Johnson to Jacksonville and seemingly don't plan to re-sign second-stringer Kareem Hunt. The other players behind Nick Chubb as of mid-May are Demetric Felton, John Kelly, Nate McCrary and UDFA rookie Hassan Hall -- a group with 40 combined NFL carries. Ford, a 2022 fifth-round pick, is the youngest of the bunch and also the only one drafted before the sixth round. His performance over the first two weeks of the 2022 preseason -- 19 carries for 89 yards and a TD plus eight catches for 71 yards and another score -- likely was a big factor in Cleveland carrying four RBs for most of last season and then focusing on other positions this offseason. Of course, there's still time to sign a veteran for training camp if the Browns lose some of their confidence in Ford or deal with injuries in the backfield.

The Saints signed Merriweather as an undrafted free agent Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Merriweather participated in the Saints' rookie minicamp as a tryout player, and he showed enough to earn himself an extended look. The 6-foot-2 running back was electric in 2021, rushing 218 times for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 22 receptions for 165 yards and an additional score. However, he was limited to just 10 games during his final campaign at Massachusetts, totaling 158 touches for 623 yards and three scores in 2022.

The Broncos waived Wilson on Monday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

The Broncos signed Wilson as an undrafted free agent, but he's been let go following the team's rookie minicamp. The 5-foot-10 running back finished his final season at Fort Valley State with 1,371 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.

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.