NFL Player News

Pollard is getting ready to handle snaps in whatever role the Cowboys want him to fill, Coral Smith of NFL.com reports. "I'm open to anything just being on the field, being able to make the most of my opportunities," Pollard said after last month's OTAs. "If I have to line up in the slot a little more, whatever it takes, I'm ready to do it."

The 25-year-old produced a career-high 1,545 all-purpose yards last season as a runner, pass catcher and kickoff returner, but Pollard is preparing to take on even more responsibility as a receiver in 2022. "It just makes things a little easier, being out wide, catching the ball, not having to worry about the first line of defense, then the linebackers, then the safeties. Once you're out wide you really just have one guy to beat, and then it's off to the races from there," Pollard said. "I definitely feel like any opportunity I'm given, I'm going to do my best to make the most of it. The more I get, the more I can benefit the team." Even if Ezekiel Elliott stays healthy this season, there could be more touches available for Pollard as he helps round out a depleted receiving corps that lost Amari Cooper in the offseason and likely will be without Michael Gallup (knee) for the early part of the schedule.

Patterson enters his second NFL season as part of a crowded Washington backfield that includes starter Antonio Gibson, passing-down specialist J.D. McKissic and rookie third-round pick Brian Robinson, Bijan Todd of NBC Sports reports.

Injuries could create more room, but the current group puts Patterson on the roster bubble, perhaps competing with Jonathan Williams and Reggie Bonnafon for one spot. Patterson did make one start last year after catching on as an undrafted rookie, and his respectable showing in that outing (98 total yards and a TD) could work in his favor this summer. Still, he's worth a look in only the deepest of fantasy leagues.

Stevenson is poised to maintain a key role in the Patriots backfield, Paul Perillo of the team's official site reports.

Also in the mix for early-down carries is Damien Harris, who is in the last year of his rookie deal, while the team hopes that veteran James White can move past a significant hip injury and reclaim his previous passing-down role. Additionally, third-year player J.J. Taylor and the versatile Ty Montgomery are in line to compete with rookie draftees Pierre Strong (fourth round) and Kevin Harris (sixth round) for complementary backfield work. As long as the incumbent Harris remains in the mix and is able to avoid injury, Stevenson's weekly volume figures to fluctuate in his second NFL season, but the 2021 fourth-rounder is a player who could have some strong fantasy efforts whenever the game plan works in his favor. As a rookie, the 6-foot, 230-pounder logged 133 carries for 606 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 14 catches (on 18 targets) for 123 yards in 12 games.

As training camp approaches, Harris appears poised to reprise his key role in the Patriots backfield, Paul Perillo of the team's official site reports.

Also in the mix for New England's early-down carries is 2021 fourth-rounder Rhamondre Stevenson, while the team hopes that veteran James White is able to move past a significant hip injury and reclaim his previous change-of-pace role. Meanwhile, third-year player J.J. Taylor and the versatile Ty Montgomery will compete with rookie draftees Pierre Strong (fourth round) and Kevin Harris (sixth round) for complementary work in this backfield. While the depth of New England's RB corps is an asset to the team, week-to-week production among the backs who suit up figures to depend on matchups or who has the hot hand. In that context, the fantasy upside of the incumbent Harris, who is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, likely hinges on the 25-year-old remaining the Pats' preferred option around the goal line.

Per Ross Jackson of USA Today, there's no clear timetable for when Kamara could potentially face NFL discipline stemming from his February arrest following an altercation in Las Vegas.

The report suggests that the league will wait for the legal process to wrap up before making any determination. Kamara's next hearing is currently scheduled for early August, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports, though Jackson notes that if the case goes on beyond that juncture, the process could extend into the regular season. There's been speculation that the running back could be facing a six-game suspension from the NFL down the road, and in the event that Kamara misses any time, Mark Ingram, Tony Jones, Dwayne Washington, Devine Ozigbo and Abram Smith are currently next up on the Saints' backfield depth chart.

Snell has trimmed down during the offseason, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

While Snell's new weight isn't yet clear, his frame now resembles a build more typical of a running back. The 24-year-old averaged a career-low 2.7 yards per carry last season. However, he should have the chance to compete during training camp for the No. 2 job at running back behind Najee Harris, who established himself as the team's three-down back as a rookie last year.

As he heads into the final year of his rookie contract, Sanders -- who has played in 12 games in each of his last two seasons -- is striving for more consistency, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

With that in mind, the 2019 second-rounder noted that in order to achieve more consistency, he "need(s) opportunities." In his 12 games during the 2021 campaign, Sanders didn't score a TD, but he parlayed his 137 rushing attempts into an average of 5.5 yards per carry while chipping in 26 catches on 34 targets. This coming season, the Penn State product remains the Eagles' top backfield option, with returnees Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott and Jason Huntley in the mix for complementary work. In that context, staying healthy will be crucial with regard to Sanders achieving his goal of steadier touches in the Philadelphia offense in 2022, and as training camp approaches, the 25-year-old has no reported injury concerns.

Robinson (Achilles) remains in his recovery mode and isn't expected to be ready for the start of training camp in late July, John Reid of the Florida Times-Union reports.

The 23-year-old began running in his rehab program in mid-June, but it's unclear what kind of progress he's made over the past week. Robinson likely won't be ready for the start of training camp in a month, but he'll still have six more weeks to get healthy before Jacksonville's season opener Sept. 11. Even if he's cleared for Week 1, Robinson could have a limited workload early in the season. Regardless, Travis Etienne is likely to begin the season as the Jaguars' No. 1 tailback.

Drake (ankle) didn't practice during June minicamp, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Drake broke his ankle in early December and had surgery a few days later, finishing with 545 total yards over 12 games in the first season of a two-year, $11 million contract with the Raiders. It's unclear if he'll have a role under the new coaching staff led by Josh McDaniels, but an injury guarantee on his 2022 base salary means Las Vegas doesn't have a financial motive to release the 28-year-old running back, incentivizing them to at least give him another look once he's available for practice. It remains to be seen if Drake will be ready for the start of training camp in late July. Josh Jacobs (undisclosed) also missed minicamp, either with a minor injury or as a precaution against one, leaving Brandon Bolden, Ameer Abdullah and rookie fourth-round pick Zamir White as the top RBs.

Jefferson could see more playing time this season if he can improve on special teams, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Jefferson averaged over 19 carries per game over three seasons as the offensive centerpiece at Oregon State from 2018 to 2020, but he barely saw the field for the Lions as a rookie. Meanwhile, converted safety Godwin Igwebuike was active every week due to his special-teams contributions and Craig Reynolds eventually worked his way up the depth chart as well. Jefferson ultimately seems to have an uphill battle for a roster spot, but it is nonetheless worth tracking the No. 3 running back job in Detroit considering the coaching staff was willing to give Reynolds 26 carries during a game that D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams both missed last season.