NFL Player News

Dobbins (knee) will undergo an evaluation Monday to determine if he can be activated from the active/PUP list, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

As Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun previously reported, Dobbins has been in a hurry to resume practicing but has remained on the PUP list through the first two weeks of training camp. However, he could return as soon as Monday if his checkup goes as planned. Dobbins still profiles as the Ravens' lead running back once he's ready with Mike Davis, Justice Hill and Corey Clement currently the top healthy options and Gus Edwards (knee) still behind on his rehab. Dobbins, a 2020 second-round pick, ran 134 times for 805 yards (6.0 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns as a rookie and was set for an expanded role last year before tearing his ACL during a preseason contest.

Taylor (groin) returned to practice Sunday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Taylor missed multiple practices -- including the team's Family Night -- due to a groin injury, but he appears to be on the mend and may return to full practices over the next week. With Kylin Hill (knee) expected to start the 2022 season on the PUP list, the undrafted running back out of Memphis is the favorite to win the backup role behind AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones, though he'll have to prove he's healthy during the Packers' upcoming preseason contests.

Jones and AJ Dillon split the first-team reps during Green Bay's Family Night event Friday, according to Justis Mosqueda of acmepackingcompany.com.

It is anticipated that Jones and Dillon will fairly evenly share the work in the Packers backfield during the season ahead, and Friday's snap distribution did nothing to change that, as Dillon got 15 first-team reps to Jones' 14. That pattern caps the upside a bit for both players, but that does not mean they can't be fantasy assets. Both Jones and Dillon racked up more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage last season, and the running backs figure to be featured plenty on a roster lacking proven options at the pass-catching spots.

Pierce still is in the mix to be the Texans' lead running back, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Marlon Mack is the presumed top back, but Houston head coach Lovie Smith refuses to confirm which of his RBs is the leader. "Coming into camp, we had numbered six guys we liked, nothing's changed," Smith said. Pierce has impressed coaches with the ball in his hands, but he has yet to play in a game and needs to do better as a blocker. More should be learned in the preseason opener Saturday, Aug. 13 against New Orleans.

Nwangwu (leg) returned to practice Saturday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The second-year running back missed just four days of practice with a soft-tissue injury in his leg. Nwangwu faces an uphill battle for meaningful playing time with Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler all firmly ahead of him on the depth chart, but his value as a return specialist should guarantee the 24-year-old a spot on the 53-man roster.

Williams continues to make plays as a pass-catching running back during his first training camp as an offensive player, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

The 2021 fifth-round pick was drafted out of Boise State as a defensive back, but as a rookie, he made the biggest impact as a return man, totaling 490 kick-return yards and 152 punt-return yards. The Falcons are hoping to capitalize on Williams' return skills by transitioning him to offense during his second NFL season, similar to how Atlanta revitalized Cordarrelle Patterson's career last year. So far, the move appears to have worked out, as Williams continues to make plays in training camp. However, it's important to note that the 24-year-old's early success in camp may be a product of Atlanta's poor linebacker corps, which is trying to recover from the loss of Foye Oluokun in free agency.

Scott will not practice Saturday after suffering a concussion Thursday, Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com reports.

The versatile back evidently suffered a concussion from a big hit during Thursday's practice and will thus miss some time. Expect the likes of Jason Huntley and Kennedy Brooks to see more practice time so long as Scott is unable to play.

Shampklin (illness) returned to Cowboys' practice Friday after undergoing COVID-19 quarantine, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Shampklin apparently received a negative COVID-19 test Friday, allowing him to return to Dallas' training camp. The undrafted running back should help provide additional depth this preseason with Rico Dowdle also sidelined with COVID-19 on Friday.

Mack said he fully trusts his Achilles and did not get a chance to show how healthy he was in 2021 with the Colts, Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reports.

Mack suffered an Achilles injury that wiped out most of his 2020 season, and by the time he was healthy last season, the lead-back job in Indianapolis was in the capable hands of Jonathan Taylor. Mack played just six games and had 28 carries for 101 yards last season, but the five-year veteran gets a chance to show off his health as the perceived lead back for Houston, which is expected to run often in 2022. Along with Mack, Rex Burkhead and Dameon Pierce round out the top of the depth chart.

Knight's making a case to land on the Jets' roster with a strong start to training camp, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Knight has worked primarily with third-string quarterback Mike White, but the undrafted free agent out of NC State has impressed the coaching staff with his performance in that role, including a 65-yard touchdown run to cap Friday's practice. "He's having a nice camp," coach Robert Saleh said of Knight. While Knight's still fighting an uphill battle against Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson (hamstring) for the third-string running back spot behind Breece Hall and Michael Carter, a factor working in Knight's favor is his ability to contribute as a return man on special teams.