NFL Player News

Swift (groin) will get some reps in team drills Thursday, but he's ruled out for Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Swift previously was expected to resume practicing Tuesday, which might've given him a chance to be cleared for the game this weekend. In any case, he could make an appearance in the final week of the preseason, or the Lions could wait until Week 1 to unleash their lead back. It's still unclear how much work Swift will lose to offseason addition Jamaal Williams, who took all the first-team reps in the exhibition opener. Swift has been dealing with a groin injury since the first week of August.

Nwangwu (knee) will miss Minnesota's final two preseason games, but he's expected to recover from a hyperextended left knee in time for Week 1, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The rookie fourth-round pick was injured while returning the opening kickoff of his first preseason game. It's a tough break, but he didn't figure to have much of role in the team's Week 1 offense anyway, slotting in behind Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison and possibly even Ameer Abdullah. With 4.32 speed in a 210-pound frame, Nwangwu could help out on on special teams on Sundays while using the practice field during the week to work on his development as a running back. The Vikings tentatively expect him to be ready for Week 1.

Hill (ankle) hasn't practiced since Saturday's preseason win over New Orleans, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Hill sprained his ankle, likely during the exhibition. He finished with six touches for only 12 yards and now figures to miss Baltimore's second preseason contest Saturday against Carolina. With Hill being the favorite for the No. 3 spot at running back, his absence should give Ty'Son Williams more chances to make his own case for the role.

Freeman carried the ball five times for 33 yards, while also catching both of his targets for 14 yards in Saturday's 33-6 win over Minnesota.

Freeman was active with limited touches in both the rushing and passing game. The veteran running back has been the beneficiary of a quadriceps injury suffered by Denver's presumed No. 3 running back Mike Boone, as he could take on more of a workload in Boone's absence. With starter Melvin Gordon sitting Saturday, Freeman and rookie Javonte Williams handled most of the carries early in the contest. Although the 25-year-old didn't exactly turn heads with his performance, he didn't do anything to hurt his cause for retaining the third spot on the depth chart while Boone is out. Either way, Freeman appears on track to serve as a complementary back behind Gordon and Williams to start the season, a context that limits his fantasy upside.

Elliott has been 100 percent healthy in camp and appears to be in excellent shape, but he's not likely to suit up during either of the Cowboys' final two exhibition games, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. "I feel really good," he said Wednesday. "I feel healthy. I feel like I'm in good shape. I like where my speed and my quickness is. I like how comfortable I am in the offense. So I think I'm ready to go."

Coach Mike McCarthy said early in training camp that the team was going to keep a close eye on Elliott's workload, and the last time the running back saw preseason action was in 2017, so him not seeing any exhibition snaps wouldn't be a big surprise. The 26-year-old is looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign in which he recorded career lows in rushing yards and yards per carry.

Moss will play in Saturday's preseason game against Chicago, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Moss had ankle surgery in the offseason and missed a few camp practices with a minor hamstring injury. Saturday will be his 2021 debut, while backfield mate Devin Singletary is no lock to play, as Bills coach Sean McDermott said he'll rest many of the veterans who have already spent a few years with the team. Granted Singletary won't necessarily be among that group, considering he and Moss presumably are still competing for playing time in the backfield.

Williams has impressed during the preseason and could be in the running for a roster spot, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports. "He's done really well. Hopefully, it will continue. I think he will be able to. He's looking good," coach John Harbaugh said.

The second-year back out of BYU by way of South Carolina spent the bulk of the 2020 season on the Ravens' practice squad. Williams has worked his way into consideration for at least a practice squad spot thus far in camp, but there could be room for more. Williams ran for 41 yards in the preseason opener and added five receptions for 23 yards. Justice Hill is the favorite for the No.3 spot on the depth chart and Baltimore is unlikely to keep four running backs, so Williams still has his work cut out for him. Per Zrebiec, Williams is at least giving the Ravens coaches "something to think about" as the season looms.

Walter (undisclosed) cleared waivers and reverted to the Jets' injured reserve Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Walter was waived/injured by New York with the unspecified injury Tuesday, and he'll shift to injured reserve after passing through the waiver wire unclaimed.

Bellamy (ankle) cleared waivers and reverted to the Broncos' injured reserve Wednesday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Bellamy was set to miss multiple weeks after suffering the ankle injury during Saturday's preseason opener, and he'll shift to injured reserve after being waived/injured Tuesday by Denver.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Swift (groin) is expected to return to practice Thursday, Eric Woodyard of ESPN reports. "[Swift] is trending the right way," Campbell said.

Previous reports indicated that Swift was expected to return to practice Tuesday, but that never came to fruition. Even if Swift does make it back on the field Thursday, there's no guarantee that he will make his preseason debut Saturday against the Steelers.