NFL Player News

Penny will compete with Kenneth Walker for the starting running back job following Tuesday's report that Chris Carson (neck) will retire, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Penny, Carson and Walker, a rookie second-round pick, had all been viewed as candidates for the gig heading into training camp. While Penny's strong finish to the 2021 campaign made him the favorite to remain the top option on the depth chart, Carson's presence as a bruiser with pass-catching capabilities could have cut into Penny's workload. Now, Walker -- who may need time to develop his skills on passing downs -- will be Penny's main competition during the preseason. Of course, Penny's health is a concern of his own, considering he played only 23 games over the last three seasons. However, he finished the past season with 671 rushing yards (7.3 per carry) and five touchdowns over the final five games, showcasing the elite upside he brings to the table when he's available.

Walker has signed his rookie contract, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The same applies to fellow 2022 second-round pick Boye Mafe and fourth-rounder Coby Bryant, meaning that Seattle's entire nine-player draft class is now under contract. With Chris Carson planning to retire from the NFL because of a neck injury, Rashaad Penny and Walker top the Seahawks' running back depth chart, with Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic noting that the duo are in line to work as the team's primary early-down options. DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer are expected to share third-down duties. Though Walker has plenty of long-term upside, it may take him some time to become a steady fantasy producer, with ESPN's Brady Henderson indicating that Penny (who led the NFL in rushing over the final five weeks of last season) projects as Seattle's primary running back to begin the coming season.

Edwards-Helaire (undisclosed) could come off the PUP list within the next few days, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic.

Though the nature of Edwards-Helaire's injury has yet to be clarified, Taylor relays that he's been told the running back's issue is nothing major. For now, Ronald Jones, Jerick McKinnon, Isiah Pacheco, Derrick Gore and Tayon Fleet-Davis are slated to handle Kansas City's backfield reps at the start of training camp.

Edwards-Helaire (undisclosed) has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Added clarity on what injury or issue Edwards-Helaire is dealing with could come as soon as Wednesday, when coach Andy Reid is slated to address reporters, per Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star. With Edwards-Helaire sidelined, Ronald Jones, Jerick McKinnon, Isiah Pacheco, Derrick Gore and Tayon Fleet-Davis are available to handle Kansas City's backfield reps.

Patterson said he plans to return kickoffs this year, hoping to set an NFL record of nine career kick return touchdowns, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.comreports.

The 31-year-old former wideout is coming off his best NFL season on the offensive side of the ball, where he managed 1,166 total yards and 11 TDs in a struggling Atlanta offense. He's currently tied for the all-time lead with eight TDs on kickoffs, and Patterson said he'd give up the task once he set the record. For fantasy purposes, it's a minor concern, with the bigger issues being Patterson's workload, health and performance. He shared work with Mike Davis last season even when Davis continued to struggle, and the Falcons now have Damien Williams and fifth-round rookie Tyler Allgeier joining Qadree Ollison as competition for backfield snaps. Patterson is still the best athlete of the bunch at age 31, but his role is hardly airtight after he averaged only 31. 8 total yards over the final five games of last season.

Coach John Harbaugh acknowledged Tuesday that he's not sure if Edwards (knee) will be ready for Week 1, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

It's particularly interesting given that Harbaugh said he's more optimistic about Baltimore's other players on PUP. That includes fellow running back J.K. Dobbins, whose ACL tear reportedly was accompanied by damage to other ligaments. Edwards was reported to have a clean tear, though he did suffer it a couple weeks after his teammate. With both on the PUP list to start training camp, the Ravens signed Corey Clement on Tuesday to compete for snaps with Mike Davis, rookie fifth-round pick Tyler Badie and 2021 UDFA Nate McCrary.

Coach Mike Vrabel doesn't anticipate Henry participating in any preseason games, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

That's not much of a surprise, with Henry bouncing back from a foot injury that limited him to eight regular-season games in 2021 and firmly entrenched as the Titans' lead back. On the plus side, the 28-year-old has indicated that he's past his foot issue, but there's little incentive for the team's coaching staff to expose Henry to unnecessary injury risk ahead of Week 1. Meanwhile, with D'Onta Foreman having signed with the Panthers this offseason, Hassan Haskins and Dontrell Hilliard are currently in line to compete for complementary touches behind Henry, who's destined to maintain a high volume of carries for Tennessee when healthy.

McNichols has signed with the Steelers.

The 2017 fifth-rounder gives the Steelers added running back depth following the team's release of Trey Edmunds. McNichols is coming off a 2021 campaign with the Titans in which he carried 41 times for 156 yards over 14 games while adding 28 catches on 38 targets for 240 yards and a TD. With Pittsburgh, McNichols will compete with Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland for snaps and touches behind the team's undisputed top back, Najee Harris.

Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that he doesn't expect any changes to McCaffrey's preseason routine, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The 26-year-old running back missed 13 games in 2020 and 10 more in 2021, after starting his career with three consecutive 16-game seasons, including a legendary 2019 in which he outscored every other player by at least 55 PPR points (and every RB by at least 155). That upside has McCaffrey going top 5 in fantasy leagues this summer, even with the injury concerns and Carolina's shaky situation at quarterback, where Baker Mayfield will challenge Sam Darnold for the starting job. McCaffrey hasn't touched the ball in a preseason game since 2019 and has stayed healthy throughout training camp each year, with all his injuries instead occurring during regular-season action (always a risk when handling so many snaps and touches). The good news is that he didn't have to rehab from surgery this offseason, and it seems he's been healthy since the spring (or even earlier) after ending 2021 on injured reserve with a sprained ankle. The Panthers signed D'Onta Foreman to compete with Chuba Hubbard for the backup RB job, but neither figures to see many carries behind McCaffrey when the Panthers host the Browns in their regular-season opener Sunday, Sept. 11.

Clement signed a contract with the Ravens on Monday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Clement inked a deal with Baltimore after also working out for the running-back needy team Monday. The 27-year-old totaled 140 yards on 33 carries over 17 games with the Cowboys last season, though the majority of his 368 total snaps played came on special teams (297). With presumed starters J.K. Dobbins (knee) and Gus Edwards (knee) still on the active/PUP list, Clement should compete for a depth role alongside running backs Mike Davis, Justice Hill (Achilles) and Tyler Badie.