NFL Player News

Pacheco (hand/shoulder) is on track to be cleared for contact by Aug. 20, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

While the significance of the mentioned date is unclear, it would give Pacheco an 18-day grace period before the Chiefs open the regular season against Detroit on Sept. 7. In other words, he'll have plenty of time to ramp up and get in game shape for Week 1 if he does in fact gain clearance for contact on or before Aug. 20. In the meantime, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon have been getting most of the first-team reps at training camp, while undrafted rookie Deneric Price has become the subject of summer hype despite mostly working with the backups. Pacheco still projects as the lead runner of the group on the heels of his solid rookie season, but it could end up being a three- or four-man committee rather than the two-way Pacheco/McKinnon split from the latter portion of last season. Pacheco's shoulder is said to be his lone health concern at this point, while he's made a full recovery from offseason hand surgery.

Jones said Tuesday that his performance-enhancing drugs violation was due to heart medication he's been taking since he entered the league, and that the NFL rejected an appeal of his two-game suspension, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. "We tried to appeal. I asked for a re-test, sample my blood, my health concerns and they didn't really look at it," Jones said. "My family suffers from heart disease. I just want to clear my name in terms of I'm not cheating the game of football. It's literally a prescription medicine."

Jones will still be able to practice with the Cowboys during training camp and the preseason ahead of missing the first two weeks of the regular season, but Malik Davis is now expected to get the first crack at securing the No. 2 spot on the backfield depth chart behind Tony Pollard.

Gainwell seems to have a spot on the Eagles roster, though he's one of five backs competing for roles this summer, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Gainwell, D'Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, Boston Scott and Trey Sermon all have taken snaps with the first-string offense and also with the backups. Zangaro expects the first three to make the regular-season roster, while Scott and Sermon seem to be battling for the fourth and final spot. Gainwell isn't the biggest or fastest of the bunch, nor the most skilled receiver, but he has a good command of head coach Nick Sirianni's offense and hopes to make an impression this summer with improved pass blocking. As much as Swift and Penny remain more likely to put up start-worthy fantasy stats, it won't come as any surprise if Gainwell also has a role in the Week 1 game plan, which would make it that much harder for his backfield mates to put up big numbers.

Scott is one of five running backs getting first-team reps for Philadelphia this summer, making his future with the team uncertain, Reuben Frank of NBC Sports reports.

The longtime Eagles backup has been rotating with D'Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Sermon. It's Sermon who might pose a problem for Scott, as the former has reportedly stood out as one of the pleasant surprises of Eagles camp. Of course, injuries could still thin the group out before Week 1, and Scott has probably done enough the past few years to land on his feet with another team if the Eagles eventually cut him.

Davis appears set to head into Week 1 as the backup to Tony Pollard in the Cowboys backfield, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy refuted the idea the team might bring in Ezekiel Elliott or another veteran back in the wake of Ronald Jones' two-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drugs violation. Davis made a positive impression as a rookie in 2022 in limited action, averaging 4.2 yards per carry on 38 totes, and he'll likely battle Jones for the No. 2 role behind Pollard once Jones is reinstated. Deuce Vaughn and Rico Dowdle are the other depth options in the Dallas backfield.

Kamara is flying to New York on Wednesday to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Kamara anticipates being punished by the league for his role in a February 2022 incident in Las Vegas, even after he saw felony battery charges dropped in July when he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace. The running back is eager to tell Goodell his side of the story before the NFL determines the size of his fine and/or length of his suspension. Back at Saints training camp, any missed practices for Kamara will leave more first-team reps for Jamaal Williams, and possibly some for rookie Kendre Miller as well. The NFL could announce a suspension for Kamara at some point in the coming weeks and months.

Moss underwent surgery on his broken arm Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined for about six weeks, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Nothing has changed from the original timeline for Moss' return, keeping open the possibility he's back for Week 1. Given that Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is currently on the PUP list and has also requested a trade, a speedy recovery could be beneficial for Moss' fantasy relevance early in the season. Deon Jackson, Evan Hull, Jake Funk and Zavier Scott are currently the only healthy options in the backfield for Indianapolis.

Nwangwu (undisclosed) sat out a second consecutive practice Tuesday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

This news comes on the heels of Alexander Mattison leaving Tuesday's session early with a visible limp, per Lewis. Nwangwu's health issue isn't known, but with he and Mattison less than 100 percent at the moment, the Vikings' healthy backfield options consist of Ty Chandler and rookie seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride.

Mattison (undisclosed) was seen limping near the end of Tuesday's practice, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The nature of Mattison's issue isn't known, but the running back observed the latter stages of the session from the sideline before making his way to the locker room, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. Kene Nwangwu (undisclosed) also didn't log any on-field work for a second consecutive day, which left plenty of RB reps for Ty Chandler and rookie seventh-rounder DeWayne McBride. Coach Kevin O'Connell will likely give an update on the state of the Vikings backfield in the near future, but for now Mattison's status is unclear.

Williams received a tryout with the Raiders on Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Williams was last with the Falcons but was waived from injured reserve with a rib injury. Now healthy, the 31-year-old is working to find a new opportunity. His last significant role came with the Bears in 2021, when he appeared in 12 games and rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries. He also tallied 16 receptions on 23 targets for 103 yards and a third touchdown.