NFL Player News

Houston re-signed Freeman on Thursday.

Freeman made the Texans' initial 53-man roster, was released Wednesday, and now rejoins the team one day later. Houston also brought Marlon Mack back as a member of the practice squad, giving the team some experienced depth to rely on in the backfield. Dameon Pierce seems like the favorite to lead the Texans' backfield in Week 1 versus Indianapolis, which would leave Freeman to mix in with Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale for depth work.

The Titans have reportedly re-worked Henry's contract to give the running back a $2 million raise this coming season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes.

Per the report, Henry is now slated to earn $14 million this coming season, while 2023 remains the final year of his contract with the Titans. As Week 1 approaches, the 28-year-old -- who is bouncing back from a foot injury that limited him to eight regular-season games in 2021 -- is firmly entrenched as the Titans' lead back. In that capacity, Henry is in line to log a steady workload this coming season, barring any injury setbacks, with Dontrell Hilliard, Hassan Haskins and Julius Chestnut on hand to work as complementary options in Tennessee's backfield.

Kansas City signed Ealy to the practice squad Wednesday.

Ealy didn't record any touches during the preseason, but he's still managed to secure a practice squad spot. The undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss has gotten work at both running back and wideout in practice.

As the Commanders' Week 1 contest against the Jaguars approaches, Gibson is in line to lead a backfield that is also slated to include J.D. McKissic and Jonathan Williams early on this season, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Rookie third-round draft choice Brian Robinson, who had been a candidate to see his share of backfield touches to begin the season, was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list by the Commanders on Thursday and will miss at least the team's first four games. Against the Jaguars, look for Gibson to reprise the starting role he held last season, with McKissic in line to see work in the passing game and Williams on hand for complementary snaps.

Ozigbo joined the Broncos' practice squad Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Ozigbo failed to make the team but didn't garner any interest on waivers after being waived Tuesday. He could be elevated to the main roster during the season if Denver needs reinforcements in the backfield.

Sanders (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday after missing more than the last two weeks, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Sanders' return to the practice field comes the same day as coach Nick Sirianni's statement that the running back is without a recovery timetable, per Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal. In all, it's a notable step in the right direction for Sanders to be in pads again, but his status will still need to be monitored leading up to the Eagles' regular-season opener in Detroit. The team can lean on Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott if Sanders isn't at full health by Week 1.

Coach Nick Sirianni said Thursday that Sanders (hamstring) has no return timetable but is "feeling better every day," Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.

Sirianni said he is "hopeful" about Sanders' health, per Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia, but it's nonetheless concerning that the running back hasn't practiced since mid-August. The 25-year-old now has just 10 days to get healthy ahead of Sept. 11's season-opener against the Lions. The Eagles likely rely on a backfield split between Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott if Sanders isn't ready for Week 1.

Washington placed Robinson (lower body) on the reserve/non-football injury list Thursday.

Robinson is recovering from surgery to address wounds sustained during an attempted robbery. He was shot twice in his lower extremities, but reports indicate that he didn't suffer any structural damage. The timing of Robinson's placement on the NFI list rules him out for the first four weeks of the 2022 season. A timetable for Robinson's recovery remains undisclosed, and the Commanders will doubtless refrain from rushing the 2022 third-rounder back, but it leaves the door open for the rookie to return at some point during the upcoming campaign. As Week 1 approaches, the team's available backfield options are Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic and Jonathan Williams, with Jaret Patterson a member of Washington's practice squad.

Kelly was signed to the Browns' practice squad Wednesday.

Kelly could be first in line to be elevated if injuries affect Cleveland's backfield, as he logged four appearances with the Browns last season and saw extensive work in the preseason. He was waived by the Browns on Tuesday but went unclaimed, paving the way for Cleveland to add Kelly to the practice squad.

Evans was among the 14 players signed to Chicago's practice squad Wednesday, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

Evans spent the previous two seasons with the Titans but logged only six combined appearances. Tennessee's 2020 third-round pick may well be first in line to be elevated should injuries strike in Chicago's backfield, which consists of David Montgomery, Khalil Herbert and Trestan Ebner (ankle).