NFL Player News

As he approaches his third NFL campaign, Edwards-Helaire believes that he'll improve from getting in a full offseason of work for the first time in his pro career, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports. "This offseason, it was pretty much getting back to the basics, being able to have a full offseason," Edwards-Helaire noted. "That was one of the things Coach (Andy) Reid and I talked about. He said, 'This is really your first real offseason in the NFL.' Really, health was the biggest thing."

As a rookie in 2020, Edwards-Helaire's first NFL offseason was mostly virtual due to the league's COVID-19 protocols, while the running back dealt with gallbladder surgery last offseason. At this stage, he indicated that he feels great heading into training camp, as he looks to move past the injuries (to his left knee and left collarbone) that slowed him down in 2021. Looking ahead, the 23-year-old is projected to lead a backfield that also includes Ronald Jones, Jerick McKinnon, Derrick Gore and Isiah Pacheco. However, Taylor does suggest that with a strong effort this summer, Jones could challenge Edwards-Helaire for the starting job in a Kansas City offense that will be operating without playmaking wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who was traded to Miami in March.

Drake (ankle) has received medical clearance to begin training camp, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Drake will retake the practice field for the first time since undergoing December ankle surgery, and subsequently missing June minicamp. The 28-year-old veteran will look to compete to reprise his complementary role alongside top option Josh Jacobs (undisclosed) during the 2022 campaign, though rookie fourth-rounder Zamir White and Brandon Bolden could offer competition for touches.

The Ravens designated Person (undisclosed) as exempt Wednesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Person signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of NC State earlier this spring, but the "exempt" designation casts doubt about his availability for training camp. The six-foot, 217-pound back was facing an uphill battle to win a spot on the Ravens' Week 1 roster.

Wilson will open training camp as the No. 2 option behind Elijah Mitchell (knee) in San Francisco's backfield, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Wilson will compete to hold off two recent third-round picks during training camp, Trey Sermon (2021) and Tyrion Davis-Price (2022), but Barrows reports that if the season began now, it would be the 26-year-old veteran backing up Mitchell. Barrows also notes that Wilson has looked substantially better during spring practices than he did while working his way back from injury last season, when he averaged a career-low 3.7 yards per carry in nine appearances. When fully healthy, Wilson has proven himself to be a capable ballcarrier in coach Kyle Shanahan's scheme, so his standing on the roster is worth keeping an eye on.

Dobbins (knee) hasn't dealt with any setbacks in his rehab process but nonetheless is uncertain to be ready for Week 1, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The reporting last year largely focused on Dobbins' ACL tear after he injured his knee late in the preseason, with the timing of the incident seemingly giving him a good chance to be ready for Week 1 of 2022. The problem is that he also injured his LCL and meniscus, potentially extending the rehab timeline, though he did have surgery only two weeks after his initial injury. Teammate Gus Edwards is rehabbing from a "clean" ACL tear with no additional significant damage reported, which means he could return to action before Dobbins despite suffering his injury two weeks later. Neither participated in spring practices, where Baltimore's backfield snaps were left in the hands of veteran offseason addition Mike Davis and a bunch of young, inexperienced players (Tyler Badie, Nate McCrary, Ricky Person). A healthy Dobbins would still be the leader of the group, assuming he eventually regains his rookie-year form (6.0 YPC, nine TDs on 134 carries). For what it's worth, Dobbins is much more optimistic about his injury, responding to Rapoport on Monday with an assertion that he'll be definitely be ready for Week 1 and may even be cleared for the start of training camp.

Drake (ankle) is expected to participate in the start of training camp, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Drake was held out of June minicamp while recovering from December ankle surgery, and even if he isn't back to 100 percent health by the start of training camp, the Raiders at least expect him to participate in on-field activities. It remains to be seen what sort of role the 28-year-old will handle under new coach Josh McDaniels, though it's worth noting that Josh Jacobs also missed minicamp due to an undisclosed injury. Rookie fourth-round pick Zamir White could offer Drake competition for early-down work if he's able to impress McDaniels and the coaching staff.

Sermon heads into training camp healthy and projected to sit third on the 49ers' running back depth chart, Kyle Madson of USA Today reports.

Sermon's rookie season was one to forget, as the 2021 third-round pick failed to impress during his first go-around on the grand stage. Elijah Mitchell -- who was drafted three rounds after Sermon -- seized the opportunity to become head coach Kyle Shanahan's primary rushing option last year. While draft status doesn't always equate to instant success, the running back position generally is one that hasn't required lots of development time for rookies in the modern NFL, so Sermon will have a lot to prove in camp. From a fantasy perspective, the second-year back will not be a name going off the boards in standard formats, as he projects to start on special teams, assuming he can maintain that current projected status.

Taylor is expected to be the No. 3 running back behind Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon with Kylin Hill still recovering from ACL surgery, Zach Kruse of USA Today reports.

Hill, a seventh-round pick in 2021, was dynamic last preseason but ultimately sidelined for his entire rookie season after suffering an ACL injury, which vaulted Taylor into the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. However, Taylor saw touches in just four games, totaling 23 carries for 89 yards and one score. If Hill isn't ready to return by Week 1, Taylor figures to open next season in the same spot he finished 2021.

Walker (hamstring) is expected to compete for the Seahawks' No. 2 running back role in 2022, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Walker missed part of mandatory minicamp with a hamstring injury but should be ready when training camp starts in late July. However, he may be boxed out from the starting role because of Rashaad Penny's dominance down the stretch last season. Walker won the Doak Walker Award -- given to college football's best running back -- last season after he ran for 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns over 12 games with Michigan State, and the Seahawks selected him in the second round (41st overall) of April's draft. While that pedigree projects well for Walker in the long term and for dynasty purposes, he has enough question marks as a pass catcher and pass blocker to cast doubt unto his ability to operate in a third-down role right away. Thus, it wouldn't be surprising if he ran behind Travis Homer or DeeJay Dallas to begin the year until he can refine his skills.

Penny is expected to be the Seahawks' primary running back in 2022, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Of course, this includes the caveat that Penny stays healthy, which is a legitimate concern because he's been active for just 23 games over the last three seasons. However, the 2018 first-round pick is healthy heading into training camp. After rushing for 671 yards (7.3 YPC) and six touchdowns over the final five games last year, Penny doesn't need to prove much in training camp to win the starting job over rookie second-round pick Kenneth Walker, and Chris Carson's (neck) odds of being cleared are increasingly pessimistic.