NFL Player News

Edwards sustained a confirmed torn ACL during Thursday's practice, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Edwards joins J.K. Dobbins as Ravens running backs to suffer such an injury, and Justice Hill also is out for the season with an Achilles tear, leaving the team painfully thin at running back. Ty'Son Williams is expected to step in as Baltimore's lead running back to kick off the campaign, with Trenton Cannon also on the 53-man roster and Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman on the practice squad.

Ekeler (hamstring) was officially listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Back-to-back DNPs set the stage for Friday's practice to be pivotal with regard to Ekeler's chances of suiting up for Sunday's game against Washington. If the Chargers' top back is limited or out this weekend, added opportunities would be available for some combo of Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree.

Hill (Achilles), who had been waived/injured by the Ravens, reverted to IR on Thursday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Hill joins fellow running back J.K. Dobbins (torn ACL) on IR, and Gus Edwards could follow them soon after suffering what appears to be a serious knee injury during Thursday's practice. In the wake of all their backfield woes, the Ravens' top healthy RB is Ty'Son Williams, though veteran newcomers Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman profile as likely promotions from the team's practice squad.

Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.

Vaughn may be poised for another sparse campaign of appearances and touches after seeing time in 11 games and receiving 36 touches (including playoffs) as a rookie third-rounder last season. With Vaughn on the sideline, Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones and Giovani Bernard will be the Bucs' trio of running backs Week 1.

Though Ekeler (hamstring) suited up for practice Thursday, he didn't participate in individual drills during the media-access portion of the session, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Ekeler was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, so his presence on the field Thursday appears to support the notion that his hamstring issue isn't a major concern. That said, added context -- specifically, the running back's official participation level -- regarding his Week 1 status will arrive once the Chargers' second injury report of the week is submitted.

Jacobs was limited at practice Thursday due to a toe issue.

Jacobs' presence on the field Thursday after previously missing practice bodes well for his chances of suiting up Monday night against the Ravens. He'll have two more chances to elevate his participation level in advance of the contest. Assuming he's cleared to play Week 1, Jacobs is poised to head the Raiders backfield, with Kenyan Drake on hand to work in a complementary role and Peyton Barber available in a reserve capacity.

The Chargers are optimistic that Ekeler's hamstring injury won't prevent him from playing in Sunday's season opener at Washington, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.

Ekeler made a surprise appearance on the Chargers' first official injury report of 2021, as the hamstring injury resulted in him working out on the side with triners at Wednesday's practice rather than taking part in team drills. Based on Kyed's report, the Chargers' decision to hold Ekeler out of practice may have been precautionary to some degree, though the fact that the running back missed six games in 2020 due to the same injury isn't the most encouraging sign. Ultimately, the extent of Ekeler's activity in the Chargers' remaining two practices of the week Thursday and Friday and how he looks in those sessions will determine whether he carries a designation into Sunday's game.

Williams could be set to start at running back Week 1 at Las Vegas with Gus Edwards suffering a potential season-ending knee injury in Thursday's practice, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Williams was slated to become the backup to Edwards after Justice Hill suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. He'll now likely take over the starting role in Week 1 if Edwards is confirmed to have a significant injury. Also in the Ravens' backfield mix following a recent string of serious injuries are Trenton Cannon and veteran Le'Veon Bell, who is a candidate to be promoted from the team's practice squad in short order. Additionally, Zrebiec suggests that free agents Latavius Murray or Devonta Freeman could be potential reinforcements. In any case, Williams has gone from being a fantasy sleeper/backup to target to a likely Week 1 starter for Baltimore.

Dobbins underwent successful surgery to repair his torn ACL on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Dobbins is expected to make a full recovery, and the timing of his injury should allow the starting running back to be ready by the start of next season if he avoids any setbacks. With fellow running back Gus Edwards sustaining a potentially serious knee injury of his own in practice Thursday, the Ravens are perilously thin in the backfield heading into the 2021 season.

Both Adam Schefter of ESPN and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network relay that the Ravens fear that Edwards suffered a torn ACL during Thursday's practice.

After losing both J.K. Dobbins (knee) and Justice Hill (Achilles) to season-ending injuries, Baltimore now is poised to lose Edwards for an extended period. In that context, Ty'Son Williams now appears to be on track to head the team's backfield Week 1, with Trenton Cannon in reserve and Le'Veon Bell a candidate to be promoted from the practice squad in short order. Moreover, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic suggests that free agents like Latavius Murray or Devonta Freeman could be options for the Ravens to explore.