NFL Player News

Elliott will remain the clear lead back for the Cowboys even if Tony Pollard sees increased touches, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. "[Zeke] has to be the focal point," owner/GM Jerry Jones said Saturday on the NFL Network.

While this isn't a big surprise, it does seem to rule out the possibility of Elliott falling into a timeshare with Pollard, who has been more efficient and explosive with his touches over the last three seasons. In particular, Elliott's skills in pass protection would seem to ensure he'll retain a three-down role, while Pollard has seen reps as a slot receiver early in training camp as the Cowboys try to figure out ways to get the ball into his hands more often. Elliott's 1,289 scrimmage yards last year was the lowest total of his career for a full season, but he did play through a knee injury and a rebound is possible in 2022 if he can stay healthy.

Barkley has been used as a receiver "a lot" during the Giants' first week of camp, Tom Canavan of the Associated Press reports.

New head coach Brian Daboll is working on installing a new offense in New York after the team finished second-to-last in the league in both total yards and scoring last season under Joe Judge. Barkley could benefit greatly from the new system, particularly if his work as a pass catcher is increased. The fifth-year running back hauled in 91 passes for 721 yards during his rookie campaign but hasn't approached those numbers since. The decline can be attributed to numerous factors -- including injuries, poor quarterback play and an unproductive system -- but the fact remains that Barkley is a skilled receiver who is still only 25 years old. Daboll has indicated a desire to maximize Barkley's considerable talent, stating, "So, our job is to figure out ways to use him, whether he did it last year or the year before, two years, in college. When you're developing in a system, you kind of figure out what these guys do best, and you challenge them to do more."

Las Vegas signed Walter on Friday.

Walter gets another chance to make an impression on an NFL team after the Jets waived him back in May. He'll be hard-pressed to make the 53-man roster in a Raiders running back room that already features Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, Brandon Bolden and 2022 fourth-round pick Zamir White.

Coach Josh McDaniels doesn't expect a lengthy absence for White, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury, Hondo S. Carpenter of Sports Illustrated reports.

"He's doing everything he can to get back out there as soon as possible," McDaniels said of White, "And the hope would be that it's not too much longer." Drafted in the fourth round out of Georgia in 2022, White will join a crowded Raiders backfield that also includes Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake and Brandon Bolden once the rookie's cleared to practice.

Zach Berman of The Athletic relays that Sanders worked with the Eagles' second-team offense Friday.

That said, Berman notes that he expects Sanders -- who he says "looks healthy and explosive" at practice -- to be the team's lead back this season, adding that "it's atypical to see Sanders with the second unit." On Friday though, it was Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott who ran with the first team. Subsequent practices will reveal whether Sanders moves back to logging top-unit reps in short order, but for now this is a situation to monitor.

Gibson (hamstring) may cede short-yardage work to rookie Brian Robinson, who has been getting a lot of first-team snaps in the opening days of training camp, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Gibson's absence due to the hamstring injury is obviously a factor, but the report suggests Robinson would have a role with the starters even if Washington's No. 1 back didn't have any injury concerns. Gibson has been bothered by his hamstring since June 7/8, with coach Ron Rivera suggesting Wednesday that the 24-year-old will ramp up his workload on the side before rejoining teammates in practice. It sounds like the team still expects Gibson to be fine for Week 1, but we need only look at Curtis Samuel last season to remember that soft-tissue injuries always need to be monitored carefully.

Robinson likely will get short-yardage carries this season, and he's already getting extra work in practice while Antonio Gibson recovers from a hamstring injury, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Standig suggests the Commanders want Gibson to get more touches in space and fewer between the tackles, perhaps relying on his excellent athleticism more and his questionable vision less. Robinson could take some of that work off Gibson's plate, with the rookie third-round pick potentially forming a timeshare with J.D. McKissic in the event Gibson's injury woes stretch into the regular season. Robinson reportedly got most of the first-team backfield snaps through the first couple days of training camp.

Pollard has been taking snaps in the slot at training camp and says he anticipates more playing time this year, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Dual-halfback formations tend to be more summer talking points than fall reality, but it makes sense for a Dallas team with shaky depth at wide receiver and tight end. The Cowboys traded Amari Cooper in the offseason and expect Michael Gallup (ACL) to miss time in September, leaving James Washington and rookie Jalen Tolbert among the favorites to pick up snaps. Given that context, formations with both Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott on the field sound better, especially compared to last season when it often would've mean taking a healthy Gallup off the field. It's also possible Pollard subs in for Elliott more often as the lone back, though Elliott says he feels better this year after playing through a PCL injury last season.

Mitchell (knee) worked with the first-team offense at San Francisco's first practice of training camp, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mitchell underwent a cleanup procedure in his knee after his rookie season, but it's safe to say he's back to full health, as the 49ers would have no reason to rush his return at this stage of the offseason. Per Dieter Kurtenbach of The Mercury News, Jeff Wilson, Trey Sermon and rookie Tyrion Davis-Price all looked impressive as well, but a healthy Mitchell should open the season as the clear top option in San Francisco's deep backfield.

Spiller has impressed as a pass-catcher in training camp, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Popper also notes that Spiller has spent some time on the third-team offense early on, but the rookie out of Texas A&M is still in the running to overtake Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree in the competition for the No. 2 spot on the Chargers' running back depth chart. In addition to making an impact in the passing game, Spiller also had the most impressive run out of the three at Wednesday's practice, so he seems to be emerging as the early leader to slot in behind Austin Ekeler on the depth chart.