NFL Player News

Boone was carted off the the field Thursday after he appeared to pull something in his left leg, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

It remains to be seen if Boone needing a cart to get off the field was precautionary or indicative of an injury that could cost him regular-season time. Klis notes that the running back was having a strong training camp, and if healthy Boone is slated to work in a complementary role behind Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. If he misses any length of time, Royce Freeman would be a candidate for added opportunities in Denver's offense.

Williams (knee) returned to practice earlier this week, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

The running back has rejoined his teammates after missing a day or two with a minor knee injury. Williams is trying to lock down KC's No. 2 spot at running back, fending off competition from Jerick McKinnon and Darwin Thompson. Given his value on passing downs and special teams, Williams is a safe bet to make the Week 1 roster even if the Chiefs are more inclined to use another running back for carries off the bench behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

The Lions signed Reynolds to a contract Thursday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Reynolds appeared in two games with the Jaguars in 2020, in which he took his sole carry for four yards. He also secured his only target for three receiving yards. With D'Andre Swift (groin) and Jermar Jefferson (ankle) both dealing with injuries, Reynolds could handle some reserve reps at camp.

Robinson and Carlos Hyde are listed as co-starters at running back on the Jaguars' first unofficial depth chart, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Coach Urban Meyer indicated post-draft he envisioned Robinson and Hyde as the "1-2 punch" with Travis Etienne as the third-down back, and the opening depth chart reflects those comments from the spring. Despite the current order, Etienne is the clear competition for backfield touches as a rookie first-round pick with explosive talent, and he figures to have a significant role in the offense. It should only be a matter of time before Hyde drops down the depth chart, but Robinson could easily open the season as the starter after totaling 1,414 scrimmage yards as a rookie last year, though he'll have a vastly different workload in 2021 given the new-look offense.

Etienne is listed as the third running back on Jacksonville's first unofficial depth chart of training camp, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

James Robinson and Carlos Hyde are listed as the co-starters, which echoes head coach Urban Meyer's post-draft comments in which he indicated Robinson and Hyde would be the "1-2 punch" in the run game, while Etienne serves as a third-down back. However, it's difficult to imagine Etienne being limited to a specialized role after being drafted 25th overall, and the depth chart figures to be more fluid after Saturday's preseason opener against the Browns. Etienne has been lining up at both running back and wide receiver since rookie minicamp in June, and his versatility could become more important if Robinson and Hyde do in fact serve as the Nos. 1 and 2 options for carries.

Singletary is currently listed as the No. 1 running back on Buffalo's unofficial depth chart.

Singletary's placement atop the depth chart is expected, given that he has more NFL experience and is currently healthier than Zack Moss (hamstring). Nonetheless, the news is a good reminder that Singletary has engendered some positive vibes this summer, while Moss continues to struggle on the health front. Of course, Singletary simply doesn't have the size or speed in hitting the hole to be much of a goal-line factor in any scenario, so the best hope for his fantasy outlook is that he earns as large of a share of the carries as possible while maintaining a role in the passing game.

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel relayed Wednesday that Evans will start Friday's preseason contest in Atlanta, John Glennon of BroadwaySportsMedia.com reports.

With Derrick Henry not needing many, if any, preseason touches, Evans and the rest of the Titans backfield are poised for plenty of work in the team's three exhibitions. As a rookie third-rounder last season, Evans battled injuries and fumbles, averaging just 3.9 yards on 14 carries and hauling in two of four targets for 27 yards and one touchdown in five appearances.

Taylor could log plenty of second-half snaps for the Patriots during Thursday's preseason opener versus Washington, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

While roster locks like Damien Harris and James White are expected to have their preseason reps limited, Taylor is fighting for depth chart slotting with Sony Michel, rookie Rhamondre Stevenson and special teams ace Brandon Bolden. The second-year back out of Arizona thus figures to see his share of touches during New England's exhibition slate, as he tries to secure a change-of-pace role heading in Week 1.

Leake signed with the Lions on Wednesday.

Leake was let go by Washington in early April, but he'll serve as depth in the Lions' backfield after Michael Warren (undisclosed) was waived/injured Wednesday. The 23-year-old spent most of the 2020 campaign on Washington's practice squad, and he's a long shot to make the Lions' 53-man roster in 2021.

Moss (hamstring) won't practice Wednesday, with head coach Sean McDermott saying the Bills will go "one day at a time" with the running back's injury, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Moss missed spring practices after having ankle surgery in January, but he returned for training camp without incident until an early exit from Tuesday's practice. In his absence, Devin Singletary could take on a larger share of the first-team reps, with Matt Breida and/or Antonio Williams mixing in. Come Week 1, the Bills are expected to have Moss and Singletary split work -- assuming both are healthy -- though it won't necessarily be the approximate 50-50 split they used for much of last season.