NFL Player News

Snell worked with the Steelers' first-team offense during goal-line drills at Monday's practice, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

Snell lost weight during the offseason and has impressed over the first week of training camp. While Najee Harris is in line to serve as the Steelers' lead back this year, Snell was on the field with the first-team offense during Monday's goal-line drills. None of the team's backup running backs carved out a meaningful fantasy role behind Harris last year, but it's possible that Snell, Anthony McFarland or Jaylen Warren earn some extra touches in 2022 as the Steelers are attempting to lighten Harris' load.

Ealy has spent time at running back and wide receiver during training camp, Charles Goldman of Chiefs Wire reports.

Ealy was considered a running back when he signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss. However, the 21-year-old has actually been getting more reps at wideout during practice, while still getting reps at running back. Although he's likely a longshot to make the roster, his versatility could help him carve out a niche role with the team.

Pierce is listed third on the Texans' unofficial depth chart for Saturday's preseason opener against the Saints, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 2022 fourth-round pick is behind Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead. Pierce has impressed during drills in camp, but the Texans are anxious to see how he performs in pads against opponents in a game situation before moving him ahead of the veterans.

Mack and Rex Burkhead are listed as the first running backs on the Texans' unofficial depth chart for the preseason opener against the Saints on Saturday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The two veterans lead the position group, with Mack's name listed first. It was presumed the former Colt would be the team's lead back, but the Texans want to see him prove it during preseason game action, as Mack is coming off an Achilles injury that wiped out his 2020 season and was used sparingly (six games, 57 snaps) in 2021. Dameon Pierce, a 2022 fourth-round pick out of Florida, is third in line.

Jones has been the No. 2 running back for much of training camp, ESPN's Adam Teicher reports.

While Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco also have seen some first-team snaps, it sounds like Jones is usually the next guy up behind returning starter Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Kansas City is giving CEH another shot as the starter by all accounts, but the 2020 first-round pick is on a shorter leash after opening his career with a pair of mediocre and injury-marred seasons. While subpar receiving skills might limit Jones to a committee role in Kansas City's pass-first offense even in a best-case scenario, he could end up as the lead rusher if Edwards-Helaire struggles and/or misses time again.

Harris could have his snap count reduced slightly this season, with Steelers RBs coach Eddie Faulker suggesting about seven fewer plays per game as a reasonable target, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports

The idea is to take Harris off the field mostly on plays where he wouldn't get the ball anyway, though that could be a strategic disadvantage if the trend is strong enough for opponents to exploit. Last year as a rookie, he led all running backs in snaps (980), snap share (83.5 percent), snaps per game (57.6) and touches (381), with sizable leads in every category apart from the last one as Jonathan Taylor got 372 touches. Harris may see a bit less playing time this year, but he still figures to be in the range of 20 touches per game, and it isn't clear how much the Steelers trust his potential backups Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Warren.

Allgeier is listed toward the bottom of the Falcons' unofficial posted depth chart, but Scott Bair of the team's official site notes that's an approach coach Arthur Smith generally takes with rookies at this stage of the preseason.

Along with Allgeier, wideout Drake London -- the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 -- also finds his name down the team's initial depth chart. Last month, Bair projected that Cordarrelle Patterson would maintain his starting RB role, but he also cited Allgeier, Damien Williams and perhaps Avery Williams as candidates to carve out backfield roles this coming season. While it remains to be seen how much of a workload Allgeier is handed early on, the fifth-rounder does have the physical presence to provide the team with a complementary option alongside the versatile Patterson.

Although David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert are atop the Bears' running back depth chart, Ebner's versatility could help him earn a role, Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.

Ebner was drafted in the sixth round of this year's draft. His potential could eventually allow him to function as a rusher, receiver and punt returner. But unless Montgomery or Herbert miss time, it will be difficult for the rookie to see significant snaps on offense. For now, he's most likely competing for a role in the return game.

Breida (undisclosed) was added to the injury report and is unlikely to play in Thursday's preseason opener versus the Patriots, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Breida is dealing with an undisclosed injury, which will apparently likely keep him out of Thursday's contest. The 27-year-old signed with the Giants this offseason after he produced 125 rushing yards and touchdown on 26 carries while also catching seven passes for 72 yards and two scores over nine games with the Bills last year. Once healthy, the running back is expected to serve as a change of pace option behind starter Saquon Barkley in 2022.

Coach Nathaniel Hackett believes Gordon will have an impact on the Broncos' offense in 2022, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

Gordon enters the 2022 campaign on a one-year deal he signed in April after the Broncos traded for quarterback Russell Wilson this offseason. The veteran running back agreed to rejoin Denver, and he believes that the team is committed to a system that can support multiple backs. According to Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com, the team's offensive coordinator, Justin Outten, said the running backs will be on a pitch count this season. With that said, Gordon asserts Hackett "is drawing enough stuff up that everybody can have the chance to get the ball." In fact, the coaching staff is making it a priority to get the running backs more involved in the passing game. In Hackett's three years as the Packers' offensive coordinator, running back Aaron Jones played a significant role in the team's passing attack, finishing second or third in receptions each year. If Gordon can carve out this role with the Broncos, he could hold quite a bit of value in fantasy this season for a back that figures to be part of a committee. The 29-year-old stands to benefit from what projects to be a drastically improved offense this season with Wilson at the helm.