NFL Player News

With J.K. Dobbins (knee) inactive, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com indicates that the Ravens will turn to Mike Davis and Drake to lead the team's Week 1 backfield.

Justice Hill is also available to mix in, but it looks like Davis and Drake are in line to largely fill the void created by Dobbins' absence. Though Mike Garafolo of NFL Network suggests that Davis may draw the start Sunday, he expects the Ravens to employ a rotation that will include Drake. It's a scenario that could result in the anticipated Week 1 timeshare tilting in the direction of which back emerges as the hot hand.

Davis-Price (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday in Chicago, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 49ers invested a third-round pick in a running back for a second consecutive season, but Davis-Price won't make his presence felt in his first chance to do so Week 1. This backfield is the domain of 2021 sixth-rounder Elijah Mitchell, with fellow back Jeff Wilson and even wide receiver Deebo Samuel getting action on the carry front. Davis-Price's next opportunity to play arrives next Sunday against the Seahawks.

Ahmed (heel) is inactive for Sunday's season opener against the Patriots.

Ahmed popped up on the injury report Wednesday and was limited at practice throughout the week, so his unavailability isn't surprising. His next chance to suit up will come against the Ravens in Week 2. Regardless, as long as Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert and Myles Gaskin are healthy, Ahmed doesn't have a clear path to playing time.

Strong (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

With Strong having been made inactive Sunday, the Patriots' Week 1 running back corps will include top early-down options Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, along with change-of-pace back Ty Montgomery. The rookie fourth-rounder's NFL regular season debut is thus on hold and may not arrive until injuries hit the team's backfield.

Sermon (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game at Detroit.

A third-round pick of the 49ers in 2021, Sermon was usurped by fellow rookie Elijah Mitchell when Raheem Mostert went down Week 1 last season. In the end, Sermon notched 44 touches in nine appearances as a rookie. While he survived cut-down day on Aug. 30, San Francisco waived him one day later, allowing the Eagles to scoop him up. Philadelphia does employ a run-heavy offense, but Sermon won't be available Week 1 while Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott man the team's backfield.

Williams (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's season opener against the Steelers, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Williams made the Bengals' initial 53-man roster, but he was let go a day later to make room for a trio of wavier claims. He then returned to the team after Cincinnati placed multiple players on injured reserve. However, he's a healthy scratch for Week 1 as the Bengals have opted to keep only three running backs on the active roster -- Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine and Chris Evans.

Allgeier (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Though the rookie fifth-round pick out of BYU sits third on the Falcons' depth chart at running back, he won't be active Week 1 behind starter Cordarrelle Patterson and top backup Damien Williams. Instead, converted defensive back Avery Williams will get the nod over Allgeier as Atlanta's No. 3 back, presumably due to Williams' status as the Falcons' top return man. Before Allgeier gets an opportunity to dress on game days, he may need one of Patterson or Damien Williams to miss time.

Conner (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Commanders.

The rookie fifth-round pick had some post-draft buzz surrounding him when the progress of James Robinson from last year's Achilles injury was still in question. However, Robinson's clean bill of health well in advance of Sunday's opener leaves him and Travis Etienne as the clear-cut top options in the backfield, while journeyman JaMycal Hasty will open the season as the No. 3 running back against the Commanders.

Johnson (coach's decision) is inactive Week 1 against the Panthers.

With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt both healthy and set to lead the backfield in the opening week, it appears the Browns won't require the services of Johnson, who racked up 534 yards and three touchdowns on the ground a season ago. Cleveland will keep fifth-round pick Jerome Ford active as the third running back, with the rookie likely poised to do more work on special teams, such as return kicks.

Dobbins (knee) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Though Dobbins, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear before the start of the 2021 campaign, was able to practice in a limited fashion this past week, the Ravens will play it safe here, with the running back's next chance to suit up arriving next weekend against the Dolphins. As a result, Mike Davis, Kenyan Drake -- who the team signed Aug. 31 -- and Justice Hill are available to handle the team's backfield duties versus the Jets, with some form of time-share likely in play. Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, look for Davis to start, though the Ravens figure to employ a backfield rotation in Week 1 that also includes Drake and Hill, a context that makes Davis and Drake options for those scrambling for Week 1 RB help.