NFL Player News

Stevenson suffered a dislocated thumb in practice last week, but the Patriots have some optimism the rookie will be available for Sunday's season opener versus the Dolphins, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

The six-foot, 231-pound back looks like a candidate to serve as a short-yardage/goal-line option for the Patriots to begin the season after the team released quarterback Cam Newton and traded Sony Michel to the Rams, but Stevenson's thumb injury suddenly threatens his availability for Week 1. Though the Patriots believe he might be OK for the season opener, Stevenson will have to prove in practice this week that the thumb issue doesn't affect his ability to securely handle or catch the football. Later Wednesday, New England will release its first official practice report of the season, which will reveal the extent of Stevenson's participation.

Washington is the Saints' No. 3 running back after Latavius Murray was released Tuesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Washington was able to secure a spot on New Orleans' initial 53-man roster and has now moved up the depth chart since the team has parted ways with Murray. Washington had 16 carries for 75 yards in 27 games for the Saints over the past two seasons, and he's unlikely to have a significant offensive role in 2021 if Alvin Kamara and Tony Jones remain healthy.

Jones will begin the season as the Saints' No. 2 running back after Latavius Murray was released Tuesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Jones was pushing for the No. 2 role behind Alvin Kamara throughout training camp, and the release of Murray indicates New Orleans is comfortable with Jones in that role. Jones spent last season on the practice squad before being promoted for Week 17 and carrying the ball three times for 13 yards. Kamara will remain the top dog in the backfield as long as he stays healthy, but Jones is now in line for occasional snaps and carries as the top backup.

Murray was released by the Saints on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Murray recently refused a request from the Saints to take a pay cut, leading the team to release him ahead of Sunday's season opener versus Green Bay. The 31-year-old had 146 carries for 656 yards while catching 23 passes for 176 yards and five total touchdowns in 15 games last season as New Orleans' No. 2 tailback. 2020 UDFA Tony Jones, who appeared in one game as a rookie last year, will now serve as the top backup to Alvin Kamara. Murray figures to receive plenty of interest on the open market.

The Falcons signed Ollison to their practice squad Tuesday.

The Falcons waived Ollison after adding Wayne Gallman in free agency. The Falcons released Sam Jones to make room for Ollison on the practice squad.

Jacobs was absent from his second straight practice Tuesday for an unspecified reason and isn't expected to return to the field until Thursday, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

The Raiders haven't revealed whether Jacobs' absence is related to an injury, an illness or a personal matter, and an explanation likely won't be provided until Thursday, when the team will release its first Week 1 practice report. Regardless, assuming Jacobs makes it back to practice Thursday as expected, he would be in position to lead the Las Vegas backfield in Monday's season opener versus the Ravens. Jacobs' absence from workouts to begin the week will at least have the side benefit of allowing the Raiders to feed more reps to newly signed back Peyton Barber, who is projected to serve as the No. 3 option behind Jacobs and big free-agent signee Kenyan Drake.

Head coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday that Swift (groin) will be ready for the Lions' Week 1 matchup versus the 49ers on Sunday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Swift's groin injury limited his activity in training camp and the preseason, but the Lions never seemed concerned he was at risk of missing the start of the season. Rather than proving that he's healthy, the second-year back's focus in practice this week will likely be working to regain conditioning and getting in as many reps as he can to ensure he's in top form against what projects to be a tough 49ers defense. Campbell has said that he envisions offseason pickup Jamaal Williams having an important role in the season opener, but Swift could still lead the backfield in snaps and touches if he's active Sunday.

Mack is listed as the No. 3 running back behind Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines on the Colts' unofficial Week 1 depth chart released Tuesday, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.

While Mack is the most likely candidate to take over as the Colts' early-down back in the event Taylor misses time in 2021, Hines is expected to have more involvement in Indianapolis' weekly game plan in light of his status as the team's top pass-catching option out of the backfield. With that in mind, Hines' presence ahead of Mack on the depth chart comes as little surprise, since Hines projects to play more snaps and hold more fantasy value than Mack -- particularly in PPR formats -- while Taylor is healthy. After Mack went down with a season-ending Achilles' tendon tear Week 1 of last season, head coach Frank Reich often favored a three-man committee headlined by Taylor and featuring doses of Hines and Jordan Wilkins. With Taylor having established himself as the clear No. 1 option, Mack will most likely step into the Wilkins role in 2021, which could translate into a handful of touches per game.

Hines is listed as the No. 2 running back behind Jonathan Taylor and ahead of Marlon Mack on the Colts' unofficial Week 1 depth chart released Tuesday, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.

While Mack is the most likely candidate to take over as the Colts' early-down back in the event Taylor misses time in 2021, Hines is expected to have more involvement in Indianapolis' weekly game plan in light of his status as the team's top pass-catching option out of the backfield. To that end, Hines projects to hold more fantasy value than Mack -- particularly in PPR formats -- while Taylor is healthy, though the Colts aren't expected to phase Mack out of the offense entirely. After Mack went down with a season-ending Achilles' tendon tear Week 1 of last season, head coach Frank Reich often favored a three-man committee headlined by Taylor and featuring doses of Hines and Jordan Wilkins. With Taylor having established himself as the clear No. 1 option, Mack will most likely step into the Wilkins role in 2021, which could translate into a handful of touches per game.

Hubbard is anticipated to serve as the Panthers' kickoff returner, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Hubbard took back kickoffs in his freshman season at Oklahoma State and will now apparently be given the opportunity in his opening NFL campaign. That role would give Hubbard extra chances to flash his big-play ability, as Christian McCaffrey's presence atop the tailback depth chart could restrict his offensive snaps. Carolina's recent signing of Royce Freeman gives Hubbard fresh veteran competition to back up McCaffrey as well, so it'll be interesting to see how the team's backfield plays are divided early on.