NFL Player News

Perine had one carry for four yards and three catches for 33 yards in the Bengals' 23-20 overtime loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

He was essentially the third-down back for the Bengals, with Joe Mixon shouldering a workhorse role. Perine totaled 23 offensive snaps, at least standing pat as the primary backup ahead of Chris Evans (zero offensive snaps).

Williams played one offensive snap and 12 snaps on special teams during Sunday's 28-22 win over Jacksonville.

Williams appears slated to keep hold of the No. 3 role behind Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic as long as Brian Robinson (knee) remains sidelined, but while the starters remain healthy he doesn't carry any fantasy value. It's possible that Williams could see some situational short-yardage work in the future, but there's also no guarantee he receives a single offensive touch Week 2 at Detroit.

Williams logged zero of 65 offensive snaps and 15 on special teams during Sunday's 44-21 loss to the Chiefs.

James Conner is the unquestioned No. 1 running back in Arizona, but prior to Week 1 it was unclear who his top backup was among Williams, Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward and rookie sixth-round pick Keaontay Ingram. Ingram was removed as a consideration when he was deemed inactive before Sunday's kickoff. Then, as the opener played out, Benjamin was the only one of the remaining trio to get snaps on offense (22) behind Conner (47), while Williams and Ward (14 plays) were contained to special teams. Williams could enter the game plan as soon as Week 2, but Benjamin was efficient with his seven touches (61 total yards), so the latter seems poised to remain Conner's No. 2 for the foreseeable future.

Benjamin totaled four carries for 28 yards and reeled in three of four targets for 33 yards during Sunday's 44-21 loss to Kansas City.

Like last season, James Conner led the Cardinals backfield with 15 touches and 47 (of 65) offensive snaps, but his primary backup has changed from Chase Edmonds to Benjamin. Among the team's reserve running backs, Benjamin was the only one to get a play on offense (22), while Darrel Williams (15) and Jonathan Ward (14) were contained to special-teams snaps. Considering the usage, Benjamin is the clear No. 2 RB in Arizona, which could result in fantasy value if Conner misses any time.

The 49ers signed Mack to their practice squad Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With two seasons in which he amassed at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage on his resume, Mack is a big name as far as practice-squad players go, but he's struggled to stick in the NFL since he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in September 2020. Though Mack gained full clearance from the injury ahead of training camp last summer, he showed little explosiveness (3.6 yards per carry on 28 totes) during his time with the Colts in 2021 and often found himself as a healthy inactive. After signing with the Texans in the offseason, Mack was expected to compete for a starting role, but rookie Dameon Pierce and versatile veteran Rex Burkhead ultimately made him a roster casualty. After a brief stint on Houston's practice squad earlier this month, Mack will now catch as organization depth for the 49ers, who placed lead back Elijah Mitchell (knee) on injured reserve and are expected to be without his services for the next two months. Jeff Wilson, Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price are still on hand as the 49ers' candidates to replace Mitchell, but Mack could eventually earn a promotion to the gameday roster if head coach Kyle Shanahan wants to add a more experienced option to the running back room.

Murray was signed to the Saints' practice squad Tuesday.

Though he won't be immediately added to the 53-man roster, Murray -- who previously spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Saints -- may not have to wait long to begin his second stint in New Orleans. His addition to the practice squad could hint at some concern about the health of Alvin Kamara (rib) and/or third-stringer/special teamer Dwayne Washington (hamstring), who are both nursing injuries in advance of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Coming off a 2021 campaign with Baltimore in which he tallied 501 yards and six touchdowns on 119 carries to go with 10 receptions for 75 yards in 14 games, the 32-year-old Murray went unsigned in the offseason.

The 49ers placed Mitchell (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday.

The transaction was fully expected after Mitchell was diagnosed with a MCL sprain in his right knee following his departure from Sunday's rain-soaked season-opening loss to the Bears. Though Mitchell is expected to avoid surgery to address the injury, he's likely to need approximately two months to recover from the sprained knee. Mitchell's absence for the next several weeks should pave the way for rookie third-round selection Tyrion Davis-Price, who was inactive Week 1, to dress on game days, but he still may find himself behind veteran Jeff Wilson and undrafted rookie Jordan Mason in the 49ers' backfield pecking order.

The Rams placed Williams (ankle) on their injured reserve list Tuesday.

Williams suffered a high-ankle sprain Thursday versus Buffalo and is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports. The move to the injured reserve list means he'll certainly miss at least the next four games. In his absence, Jake Funk could be in line for a few spare snaps at running back, and Brandon Powell will continue to operate as the Rams' primary kick returner.

McKinnon rushed four times for 22 yards and reeled in three of his four targets for 27 yards in Week 1 versus the Cardinals.

It's worth noting that seven of McKinnon's eight touches came when the starters were on the field, so he's still part of the offensive gameplan. Clyde Edwards-Helaire finished with 10 total touches to McKinnon's seven, but the two notably played an even number of snaps (27). It would seem the Chiefs' backfield is headed for a timeshare again this season.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday that he plans on having Walker (abdomen) available for Sunday's game at San Francisco, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports. "Kenny Walker is going to be out there this week for us to add to [the offense]," Carroll said.

The second-round rookie out of Michigan State was inactive for Monday's 17-16 win over the Broncos after requiring a hernia procedure in mid-August, but Walker seems to have taken a step forward in his recovery in recent days. Since he didn't log any practice activity heading into Week 1, he'll presumably need to get in at least one full session by Friday to make good on Carroll's prediction that the running back will suit up Sunday. Given the time that he missed during the preseason, Walker may have to settle for a small role in the Seattle backfield initially, as Rashaad Penny should be entrenched as the Seahawks' top option on the ground while healthy.