NFL Player News

By converting $10.47 million of what Kamara was in line to be paid this coming season into a signing bonus, the Saints have created $8.37 million in salary cap space for 2022, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Per Ross Jackson of The USA Today, restructuring the terms of Kamara's deal frees up much-needed cap space for the team as free agency approaches. Jackson also notes that a court hearing related to Kamara's battery case, stemming from the running back's arrest last month following an alleged altercation in Las Vegas, has been pushed back to April 25. The 26-year-old finished the 2021 season with 240 carries for 898 yards and four TDs in 13 games to go along with 47 catches (on 67 targets) for 439 yards and five receiving scores.

Mostert (knee) is on track to make a full recovery by the start of the 2022 season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Mostert's recovery process is exceeding expectations, per Schefter, though the details of his exact timetable remain undisclosed. The soon-to-be 30-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year, and given that injuries have limited Mostert to just nine appearances across the last two seasons, it remains to be seen whether teams will view him as a potential starting option on the open market. Mostert underwent surgery to address chipped cartilage in the meniscus of his left knee Oct. 12.

Cleveland intends to tender Johnson at the right of first refusal number, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The Browns will have the ability to match any offer Johnson receives from another team, setting him up for a one-year contract around $2.43 million unless more offers enter the mix. Johnson showed out well last season, recording three contests with over 100 scrimmage yards, and Cleveland appears to be prioritizing an intact backfield. Considering that Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (ankle) combined to miss 12 games due to injury last year, Johnson's depth role could prove a vital one.

Hasty signed a one-year contract extension with the 49ers on Thursday.

Hasty appeared in 11 games for the 49ers last year and rushed 16 times for 68 yards and a touchdown while securing 23 of 29 targets for 157 yards. He'll compete for touches as a reserve once again heading into the 2022 campaign.

The Titans waived Evans on Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

The 2020 third-rounder saw action in just one regular-season game last year before landing on IR with a knee issue. The 5-foot-10, 203-pounder will now look to catch on elsewhere as a depth running back. Meanwhile, the Titans will need to restock their backfield options behind Derrick Henry, with both D'Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard poised to become unrestricted free agents.

The Ravens have extended a one-year contract tender to Williams, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Through 13 appearances last season, Williams logged 35 carries for 185 yards and a TD to go along with nine catches for 84 yards on 12 targets. Now that he's slated to remain with the Ravens for the 2022 campaign, the 25-year-old figures to compete for the team's No. 3 running back role behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, who are both bouncing back from knee injuries that landed them on IR last season.

Drake (ankle) restructured his contract with the Raiders on Thursday, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Drake compiled just 545 scrimmage yards across 12 appearances in his inaugural season in Las Vegas, and he's currently recovering from season-ending right ankle surgery. Agreeing to restructure his deal helps the Raiders free up cap space for some potential splashes in free agency, and keeps the the 28-year-old on track to operate as the No. 2 backfield option behind Josh Jacobs in new coach Josh McDaniels' scheme. Drake could have a shot at making it back on the field in time for spring OTAs.

The Cardinals have extended a one-year contract tender to Ward.

With that, Ward, who was poised to become an exclusive rights free agent, is now on track to remain a depth piece in the team's 2022 backfield. Who the 24-year-old will be working behind, however, remains to be seen, with both James Conner and Chase Edmonds both pending unrestricted free agents.

The Dolphins tendered Ahmed, who was an exclusive rights free agent, Tuesday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Given his status as an exclusive rights free agent, Ahmed won't be able to negotiate with other teams after being tendered. The 23-year-old running back appeared in 12 contests for the Dolphins in 2021. He totaled 54 carries for 149 yards and added 12 catches on 19 targets for 117 yards. However, he was a healthy scratch for the final four games of the campaign, so it's unclear where he would stand on the depth chart heading into the new league year.

Head coach Pete Carroll wants to re-sign Penny for the 2022 season, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Penny's situation is unique and possibly unprecedented. After sitting behind Chris Carson (neck) to start his career before suffering a torn ACL in 2019, the 2018 first-round pick finally looked healthy down the stretch in 2022. The 26-year-old recorded 671 yards (7.3 YPC) and six rushing touchdowns over the final five games. Now, he'll be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins March 16. Gregg Bell of The News Tribune believes the Seahawks will prioritize re-signing safety Quandre Diggs and cornerback D.J. Reed before Penny given their clear weakness at defense. The Seahawks have nearly $35 million in salary-cap space heading into 2022, so there is room for all three of them, but it's unclear what type of contract Penny will command given his age. It's worth noting that Carson -- who is on the final year of a two-year, $10.43 million contract -- may be back from a neck injury for training camp, too.