NFL Player News

Dobbins (knee) lined up and ran plays during Monday's practice, albeit without defenders on the field, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

It's progress from his recent participation in individual drills, moving Dobbins a step closer to an actual 11-on-11 practice. He was activated from the PUP list last Monday (Aug. 8) and isn't likely to play in the preseason, but a return for Week 1 seems tentatively on track. Ravens coach John Harbaugh thought Dobbins looked better Monday than he did last week, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, saying, "He's kind of back on track, and I thought he looked a little better than he did before. So, he continues to improve, and we'll see where it goes."

Gordon (foot) is participating in Monday's padded practice, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

The running back has been considered day-to-day and was expected to return to practice this week. It's possible he's somewhat limited, but this confirms his foot contusion is nothing serious and no major threat to his Week 1 availability. It's unclear if Gordon (and other key veterans) will play in Saturday's preseason matchup with Buffalo.

The Buccaneers placed Barner (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday, independent NFL reporter Dov Kleiman reports.

Barner played 23 snaps during the preseason opener, totaling nine touches for 31 yards. However, he appears to have picked up a serious injury, which -- barring an injury settlement -- will end his 2022 campaign before it begins. In a corresponding move, Tampa Bay signed Patrick Laird.

The Buccaneers signed Laird on Monday, independent NFL reporter Dov Kleiman reports.

Laird appeared in six games last year for Miami before landing on injured reserve with an MCL injury. He was designated to return from IR at the beginning of January, but he remained sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. Now healthy, he'll look to carve out a role in Tampa Bay's backfield, which just put Kenjon Barner (undisclosed) on IR and has Giovani Bernard (ankle) dealing with an injury.

Dobbins (knee) didn't practice over the weekend but is back on the field for individual drills Monday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

While he still hasn't progressed to full-team work, Dobbins at least seems to be avoiding setbacks so far. An appearance this preseason might be asking too much, but he at least has a shot to be ready Week 1. The Ravens don't have much else behind him, with Mike Davis the favorite for the No. 2 role in the increasingly likely event Gus Edwards (knee) isn't ready for the season opener. Dobbins and Edwards both suffered ACL tears before Week 1 last year.

Gordon is day-to-day with a foot issue, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Per Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com, Gordon, who is dealing with a foot contusion, likely will practice this week, but it's unclear if the running back is a candidate to see any work in Saturday's preseason contest against the Bills.

Coach Kliff Kingsbury suggested Conner and other starters will be held out again for the Cardinals' second preseason game Sunday against the Ravens, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Kingsbury said he's leaning toward a repeat of his plan from the preseason opener, in which Conner and most other starters were held out, as was backup running back Darrel Williams. The competition in Arizona's backfield is between Williams, Eno Benjamin and Keaontay Ingram for backup roles, while Conner is locked in atop the depth chart.

Mixon and other starters likely will be held out of Sunday's preseason game against the Giants, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Coach Zac Taylor said he's likely to sit most of his key players for a second straight week. It's unclear if Mixon will play in the preseason finale, or not at all this exhibition season, but either way he's locked in for a starring role as Cincinnati's lead back come Week 1.

Jones may be on the roster bubble, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic.

Rather than challenging Clyde Edwards-Helaire for the starting job, Jones reportedly has slipped down the depth chart and now left to compete with Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon and Derrick Gore for backup roles. Pacheco and McKinnon both took snaps on the first series of Saturday's preseason opener when Patrick Mahomes and other starters were on the field, while Jones didn't play until the third drive and finished with only one yard on four carries. It's not a good sign, but Jones still has practice and two more preseason games to make an impression, and the Chiefs could end up carrying four running backs. Taylor's estimate for The Athletic has the team keeping only Edwards-Helaire, Pacheco and McKinnon.

Pacheco, who Nate Taylor of The Athletic calls the "most surprising star of camp," logged just two carries in Kansas City's preseason opener but could see more opportunities Saturday against Washington.

Heading into training camp, there was speculation that Ronald Jones potentially could overtake Clyde Edwards-Helaire for the Chiefs' starting RB role, but at this stage Taylor suggests that Jones may no longer be a roster lock. Meanwhile, Pacheco's stock seems to be on the rise, and if the 2022 seventh-rounder continues to impress, he could carve out an early-season role in a backfield that also includes Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon.