NFL Player News

Hubbard could lose reps behind starter Christian McCaffrey to offseason pickup D'Onta Foreman, who offers a bigger, more physical complement to Carolina's top back, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Hubbard enjoyed an expanded role with McCaffrey sidelined for 10 games last season, gaining 786 yards from scrimmage and scoring six times over 197 touches as a rookie. However, the 6-foot-1, 236-pound Foreman brings a more imposing presence to Carolina's backfield and is fresh off an impressive showing while replacing the injured Derrick Henry in Tennessee last season. Foreman's addition along with Hubbard's development going into Year 2 should give the Panthers ample insurance if McCaffrey's health remains an issue, as he's now missed 23 games the past two seasons. However, compared to last year when Hubbard faced relatively little competition for the staring role while McCaffrey was sidelined, Foreman could now push Hubbard for the No. 2 gig and cut into his workload.

Carolina is hoping Foreman can provide a bigger, more physical complement to Christian McCaffrey and Chuba Hubbard in the backfield in 2022, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Foreman was brought aboard this offseason after filling in admirably for the injured Derrick Henry with the Titans in 2021. In nine games, he rushed 133 times for 566 yards (4.3 per carry) and three touchdowns, and he caught nine of 11 targets for 123 more yards. Although Hubbard proved to be a serviceable replacement while McCaffrey missed 10 games last season, he doesn't pack the punch that the 6-foot-1, 236-pound Foreman does. When healthy, McCaffrey should be the focus of Carolina's offense, but given his different skill set, Foreman could carve out a decent-sized complementary role and prove useful in short-yardage situations.

McCormick (undisclosed) was placed on IR by the Raiders on Tuesday.

McCormick joined Las Vegas last Monday as an undrafted free agent. The nature of the injury is still unknown, but with the time McCormick is likely to miss it could certainly set back his chances of earning a spot on the roster.

McCaffrey (ankle) looked good while participating in the Panthers' OTAs on Tuesday, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

McCaffrey continues to avoid setbacks this offseason after dealing with various injuries during the 2021 campaign. The 2017 first-round pick has only played in 10 games over the past two seasons after not missing a contest over his first three years in the NFL. McCaffrey appears to be healthy heading into the 2022 campaign, and the Panthers intend to keep it that way by holding him out of preseason games again and possibly taking a different approach with him during practices, per Joe Person of The Athletic.

Williams signed with the Colts on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Williams had his one-year contract tender withdrawn by the Ravens on May 10, but he has found a new home with the Colts. Williams will face stiff competition to make the squad with the one-two combo of Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines returning. The Colts also signed Phillip Lindsay last Tuesday, who will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2021 campaign. Last season Williams appeared in 13 contests with Baltimore, rushing 35 times for 185 yards and a touchdown while catching nine of 12 targets for 84 yards.

Williams signed with the Cardinals on Tuesday, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.

Williams finished the 2021 campaign with 558 rushing yards, 452 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns across 17 appearances for Kansas City last season. The AFC West squad reportedly wanted to re-sign Williams this offseason, but the 27-year-old opted to test free agency instead. In Arizona, Williams will compete with rookie Keaontay Ingram and second-year back Eno Benjamin for touches behind James Connor, but Williams' experience and pass protection skills likely land him as the favorite to earn the No. 2 spot on the depth chart to start 2022.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Monday that Penny is resting a slight hamstring issue during the start of Seattle's voluntary OTAs, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Penny agreed to a one-year, $5.75 million contract this offseason to return to Seattle after finishing with 119 carries for 749 yards and six touchdowns -- all career highs -- across 10 appearances last season. If healthy, Chris Carson (neck) is a candidate to lead the backfield in 2022, but the Seahawks have hinted that they have doubts he'll be ready for the start of the regular season, per Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. In any case, Penny and second-round pick Kenneth Walker are the current healthy options for the starting job. Regardless, Penny, a 2018 first-rounder, appears to be a vital piece to Seattle's backfield moving forward, so the team likely will be cautious with his minor hamstring injury this offseason.

Coach Doug Pederson said Monday that Etienne (foot) is a full-go for all practice activities at OTAs, NFL.com reports.

Etienne, a 2021 first-round pick, missed his entire rookie season due to a left Lisfranc injury, but he now appears to be fully healthy. That recovery timetable lines up, as the running back stated he was at 85-90 percent form back in April. Hays Carlyon of 1010 AM WJXL Jacksonville reports Etienne participated in passing drills while fully dressed Monday, working with quarterback and former Clemson teammate Trevor Lawrence. With James Robinson recovering from an Achilles tear and unable to participate in OTAs, Etienne will receive an opportunity to handle the majority share of No. 1 practice reps, as long as he avoids any setbacks. Both running backs stand to be involved on offense when healthy, but it remains to be seen if Robinson will be available for the start of the 2022 campaign.

A Cleveland scout said Felton will focus on running back in 2022, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Felton was dubbed a hybrid back when he was selected in the 2021 Draft, capable of playing running back or wide receiver, but he spent most of time in the receivers' room as a rookie. It's unclear what shape Felton's role will take in 2022. He was one of the Browns' primary returners last season, but Cleveland added Jakeem Grant for both punt and kick returns this offseason, and the selection of running back Jerome Ford in the fifth round adds to a crowded backfield.

Wilson is one of four running backs projected to make the 49ers' 53-man roster to begin the 2022 season, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Wilson was considered a potential cut candidate after the 49ers selected a running back in the third round of consecutive drafts, but Branch believes the veteran's well-rounded skillset could outweigh the team's potential need for a third-down option (such as JaMycal Hasty). The 26-year-old Wilson will still have to prove his worth in camp along with re-establishing his durability after missing eight games last year. If Wilson makes the squad, his best prospects would be a backup role to Elijah Mitchell, so his fantasy stock remains low at the moment.