NFL Player News

Conner is listed as the Jaguars' No. 3 running back on the first unofficial depth chart of training camp, James Johnson of USA Today reports.

The rookie fifth-round pick has made a strong impression early in camp and has come out ahead of Ryquell Armstead. James Robinson (Achilles) and Travis Etienne (illness) are unsurprisingly listed as Jacksonville's top tailbacks, but neither is expected to play Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game versus the Raiders. Conner could see extensive run in his first action of the preseason.

Montgomery has been seeing reps both at running back and on special teams during training camp practices, Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns of The Athletic report.

Given that he's been a three-down back when healthy over the last few years, Montgomery's presence on the Bears' kick-return unit has been somewhat surprising. Although his involvement on special teams may not mean that Montgomery's status as the Bears' clear top back is in question, it at least has to be considered a possibility that he could yield more work with Khalil Herbert in 2022.

Hill is making a case to crack Baltimore's 53-man roster to begin the season, Kevin Eck of the Ravens' official site reports. "[Hill has] looked quick, showing no signs of the Achilles tear that sidelined him all last season," Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

With J.K. Dobbins (knee) and Gus Edwards (knee) still on the mend, the door has been opened for Hill to make an impression early in camp. Mike Davis and rookie Tyler Badie add competition for limited roster spots in the Baltimore backfield once Dobbins and Edwards return. Hill, who has fully recovered from his own season-ending injury, appears to be making the most of his chances thus far.

Taylor (groin) missed practice Wednesday, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Just as soon as Taylor returned to practice after being activated from the PUP list a week ago, he's again away from practice. There's still competition for Green Bay's third running back spot, but until either Taylor or Kylin Hill return to camp, that competition will be between Tyler Goodson and B.J. Baylor.

Strong remains limited in training camp due to an undisclosed injury, Henry McKenna of USA Today reports.

Though it's not optimal that the rookie fourth-round pick isn't practicing fully at this stage, that he's able to work in some capacity suggests that his injury issue isn't a major concern. Given that veteran change-of-pace back James White (hip) is on the active/PUP list and isn't a lock to be at full strength by Week 1, Strong -- once fully up to speed -- is a candidate to carve out a third-down role for the Patriots out of the gate.

Foreman is practicing Wednesday after dealing with a minor foot/ankle injury Tuesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Foreman, a free-agent addition, hopes to supplant 2021 fourth-round pick Chuba Hubbard as the No. 2 back in Carolina. It doesn't sound like Foreman's minor foot injury will have much impact on their competition.

Bell (hamstring) was waived by the Lions with an injury designation Wednesday, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Bell suffered the injury last Thursday, and a timetable for his return was up in the air. Since he was waived with an injury designation, he'll revert to injured reserve once he clears waivers.

Carter (ankle) practiced Wednesday, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Carter took part in both team and individual drills after a minor injury limited his participation the day before. His fantasy value took a huge hit when the Jets drafted Breece Hall this spring, but Carter should still get weekly touches as the No. 2 back and is the favorite to handle obvious passing downs.

Spiller has primarily worked with the second- and third-team offenses at training camp, but Daniel Popper of The Athletic notes that the rookie's "physicality is starting to pop" now that the Chargers have started padded practices.

The rookie fourth-round pick will need more than brute strength and determination to earn a role, but those traits certainly help when competing for part-time work behind a smaller, versatile back like Chargers starter Austin Ekeler. While previous draft picks Joshua Kelley (2020 fourth-round choice) and Larry Rountree (2021 sixth-round choice) failed to take advantage of similar opportunities the past two years, Spiller still has time to make an impression this summer. If he fails to do so, the Chargers could go with Rountree or Kelley off the bench or else could use an unpredictable rotation the way they did for much of last season.

Chubb participated Tuesday in the first fully padded practice of Browns training camp, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Apart from the wide receivers, Cleveland's offense is in good health as the intensity ratchets up at training camp. Chubb is in search of a fourth straight 1,000-yard season, and while he'll have to deal with Jacoby Brissett taking snaps under center for the first six weeks of the season if Deshaun Watson's suspension is upheld, the talented back will then get his first opportunity to play alongside a high-level starting quarterback in the NFL. That might mean a bit less emphasis on the run game, depending how things shake out with the Browns' receiving corps and defense, but it could also lead to more red-zone trips and less defensive attention directed toward stopping Chubb. First comes the Brissett era, which should be marked by an emphasis on Chubb and fellow running back Kareem Hunt.