NFL Player News

Mason has been operating as the 49ers' third running back during offseason activities, Jerry McDonald of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Mason's standing on the depth chart shouldn't come as a surprise following his strong showing on special teams and as a reserve option out of the backfield in 2022. The then-undrafted rookie quickly surpassed third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price on the depth chart, and he appears set to maintain that position as the two battle for spots behind starter Christian McCaffrey and top backup Elijah Mitchell.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that Perine made an early exit from practice to have his thumb evaluated, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

After emerging as a viable backup in Cincinnati from 2020 through 2022 -- he tallied 4.4 yards per carry and an 80.9 percent catch rate -- Perine linked up with Denver this offseason on a two-year, $7.5 million contract. In the event that Javonte Williams (knee) doesn't recover from the ACL and LCL tears by Week 1, Perine would have a prime opportunity to produce out of the Broncos backfield. First, though, Perine will need to recover from his current health concern -- which Payton downplayed -- in advance of training camp in late July.

Harris has a chance to carve out a complementary role behind lead back Rhamondre Stevenson heading into the 2023 season, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Barring any further additions to the backfield, the Patriots will have Harris compete with the likes of Ty Montgomery, J.J. Taylor and Pierre Strong for work behind Stevenson after the team let Damien Harris walk in free agency and then recently cut James Robinson. Harris, who logged 18 carries as a rookie in 2022, will look to emerge as an option to spell Stevenson on early downs, while the versatile Ty Montgomery and Strong may be more in the mix for third-down/change-of-pace touches. Per Lazar, Harris appears to be in "terrific shape" as the coming season approaches, and the 22-year-old has displayed "a noticeable extra burst this offseason."

Strong is in line to compete for complementary snaps behind top back Rhamondre Stevenson heading into his second professional season, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

With Damien Harris now in Buffalo and with the Patriots recently cutting James Robinson, backfield snaps behind Stevenson are up for grabs. With that in mind, the speedy Strong -- who logged just 10 carries as a rookie -- has a chance to carve out a change-of-pace role this coming season. Veterans Ty Montgomery and J.J. Taylor and 2022 sixth-round pick Kevin Harris represent Strong's competition for the No. 2 role.

Miller (knee) isn't participating during the Saints' mandatory minicamp, Terrin Waack of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Miller suffered an MCL sprain of his right knee while playing for TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Michigan, but that didn't stop New Orleans from selecting the running back in the third round of April's draft. The running back previously said that he expects to be fully healthy by training camp, so it's not surprising to see him still in rehab mode this early in the offseason. Even once he's cleared, the rookie will face an uphill battle for playing time while operating behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. However, Kamara could be facing a suspension related to a February 2022 arrest, though clarity on that front likely won't arrive until after his legal situation is resolved, perhaps shortly before Week 1.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Tuesday that he's excited Patterson is still with the team and added that having multiple versatile offensive threats is a "good problem to have," Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Patterson looked to be a potential cap casualty this offseason after the Falcons selected Bijan Robinson with the eighth overall in April's draft. However, Smith's recent comments suggest otherwise. Patterson has been a consistent offensive producer for Atlanta when healthy over the last two seasons, totaling 1,313 rushing yards, 670 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns across 29 appearances. He certainly won't be a workhorse running back anymore, a role that started to slip out of his hands last year with the emergence of Tyler Allgeier. Even so, Smith still seemingly plans to get Patterson involved in an offense that now features three top-10 picks at skill positions (Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts). Smith mentioned the possibility of Patterson working with the tight ends, wide receivers and running backs during his press conference Tuesday, so don't be surprised if the 32-year-old is utilized in a gadget role during the upcoming season. Fewer offensive responsibilities also means that Patterson could see more opportunities as a kick returner, something he's done sparingly since joining the Falcons.

Tucker (undisclosed) isn't participating in June minicamp but is expected to practice once training camp starts, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

The Syracuse product was projected by some as a mid-round pick in 2023 but ended up going undrafted amidst rumors of a medical concern, with Go Long's Bob McGinn reporting it to be a congenital heart condition. Being an undrafted free agent may have been a better outcome than landing in the late rounds on a stacked depth chart, as Tucker got the third-most guaranteed money ($155,000) of any UDFA running back this year and is now with a team that has arguably the worst backfield in the league. Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds, Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Patrick Laird are the veterans, joined by Tucker and fellow undrafted rookie Ronnie Brown.

Robinson struggled to stay healthy for spring practices prior to the Patriots waiving him Monday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

No specific injury is mentioned, but Robinson's career trajectory largely seems a product of the Achilles tear he suffered late in Dec. 2021 toward the end of his second season. The 2020 UDFA started 27 of his 28 games for Jacksonville prior to the severe injury, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 65.6 rushing yards per game (plus 20.2 receiving yards). Robinson made it back for Week 1 of 2022 just nine months after the Achilles tear and had 263 total yards and four TDs over his first three games, but he struggled in the following weeks and was demoted to a backup role before being traded to New York, where he dealt with a knee injury and was a healthy scratch at times. Robinson then signed a two-year contract with the Patriots this March, only to be released three months later. That's not a great sign for his NFL future, though he's young enough (25 in August) that a rebound can't be entirely ruled out even if it doesn't happen this season. Robinson should get a shot with another team for training camp this summer.

Bigsby is expected to have "plenty of opportunity" to win the Jaguars' No. 2 running back job behind Travis Etienne, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Harvey believes Bigsby could even out-touch Etienne some weeks, "depending on who has the hot hand." The Jaguars rode Etienne pretty hard after the James Robinson trade last season, as Etienne averaged over 15 carries per game from Week 7 onward and saw 17-plus carries five times over the final 10 games. Jacksonville wants to lighten Etienne's workload, and Bigsby gives the team a capable between-the-tackles runner at 6-foot, 210 pounds. Bigsby should be a popular late-round fantasy pick given his third-round draft pedigree, Etienne's missed 2021 with a foot injury, and the Jaguars' desire to get the former involved.

The Patriots waived Robinson on Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Robinson signed a two-year contract with New England this offseason, but there was no guaranteed money included in the deal due to the running back's health concerns. If he clears waivers, the Illinois State product will be free to sign with any team that shows interest. The 24-year-old rushed for 1,837 yards and 15 touchdowns over his first two NFL seasons in Jacksonville, but he struggled to stay healthy last year, totaling 425 rushing yards across 11 appearances split between the Jaguars and Jets.