NFL Player News

Kelley is listed behind both Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree on the team's first official depth chart release, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

It's a pretty jarring statement considering the Chargers drafted Kelley in the fourth round just one year ago, but it reflects what occurred towards the end of 2020 when the rookie was a healthy scratch in two of the final four games. Rountree often has been mentioned as a legitimate short-yardage threat, giving the 2021 sixth-round pick a more defined role than Kelley and adding yet another strike against the latter's quest towards retaining a roster spot. At this point, Kelley might need an excellent preseason in order to claim a spot on the active roster, much less the coveted backup role behind stalwart Austin Ekeler.

Perine is listed second on the Jets' initial unofficial depth chart behind Tevin Coleman.

It's good to see Perine ahead of Ty Johnson, but he's realistically behind both Coleman and rookie Michael Carter. While Carter surprisingly is listed fourth here, his frequent reps with the first-team offense and glowing reviews from the coaching staff suggest it's a matter of when -- not if -- he moves up the depth chart. There were some worries that Perine would be a cut candidate after a forgettable rookie season, but he should have no trouble securing a roster spot given his placement on the depth chart.

Rich Cimini of ESPN.com suggests that while Carter "might not be the (Jets') starting running back, per se," the fourth-rounder's "early work with the first team suggests he will be involved."

Based on Carter's ADP this summer, it's clear that the North Carolina product is viewed as the upside play in the Jets backfield, which could well emerge as a committee situation early on this season. Even if the rookie isn't officially acknowledged as the team's top back once Week 1 rolls around, we expect him to make a mark out of the gate, nonetheless, with the 5-foot-8, 201-pounder's pass-catching ability providing utility to the team's offense. In the Jets' initial unofficial depth chart, posted by the team's PR staff, Carter is listed behind Tevin Coleman, La'Mical Perine and Ty Johnson, but that's a listing that probably should be taken with a grain of salt, given that it's not uncommon for teams to place rookies on their preseason depth charts lower than what their practice reps/potential workload might otherwise suggest.

Jefferson is off to a great start to training camp, strengthening his case for the third spot on the depth chart, according to Nick Baumgardner and Chris Burke of The Athletic.

Jefferson finished the second week of training camp in the driver's seat for the No. 3 role, ahead of Dedrick Mills, Michael Warren and Godwin Igwebuike. With lead back D'Andre Swift (groin) absent from Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage, Jamaal Williams worked with the first-team offense while Jefferson repped with the second-stringers, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The rookie seventh-round pick figures to make his NFL debut Friday night in Detroit's preseason opener against Buffalo.

Jones wasn't present at Monday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Two days removed from the Packers' Family Night scrimmage, Jones isn't taking part in on-field drills, instead focusing on rehabbing his hamstring. The injury may be a minor one, but the team won't take any chances with their highly paid running back. He put pen to paper on a four-year, $48 million contract back in March, and with Jamaal Williams moving on to the Lions in the offseason, Jones and second-year pro AJ Dillon are the top two RBs in Green Bay.

Snell (undisclosed) got in some work on an exercise bike Monday, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

While he's still not ready to practice, this supports the notion that Snell's issue isn't a long-term concern. Once he returns to practice, Snell will look to solidify his backup role behind Pittsburgh's top RB option, rookie Najee Harris. Also competing for slotting in the team's backfield are Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Samuels and Kalen Ballage.

Barkley (knee) initially will be limited to individual drills in practice, but coach Joe Judge didn't dismiss the possibility of the running back playing in a preseason game, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Barkley has been removed from the PUP list and cleared for Monday's practice -- his first participation since the ACL tear last September. He's unlikely to play in the first or second preseason game, but he might make it back for the Giants' third and final exhibition Aug. 29 against the Patriots. NFL teams rarely played starters in the last week of the preseason in the past, but Judge said with the new schedule the Giants would treat the first exhibition (Aug. 14 against the Jets) the way they used to treat the last, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger. That could mean they play some starters, including Barkley, in the preseason finale, which takes place exactly two weeks before the regular-season opener Sept. 12 against Denver. A return to practice Monday gives Barkley more than a month to get ready.

Williams will miss Monday's practice with a knee injury, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Williams' absence will free up reps for Jerick McKinnon and Darwin Thompson, both hoping to win roles behind lead back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Williams was the No. 2 back for most of last season, with the Chiefs primarily using him for third downs and in their hurry-up offense. He got double-digit touches just once all season -- in one of the three games CEH missed -- and there's no guarantee of regular carries even if the Chiefs' starting RB misses time this year. Williams does seem safe for a roster spot, whereas the other guys are competing.

Barkley (knee) has been activated from the PUP list for Monday's practice, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Barkley figures to be limited in his first practice since suffering an ACL tear last September. He'll have a little over a month to get ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 12 against Denver, with Dan Duggan of The Athletic highlighting the final week of the preseason (late August) as a target for Barkley to ramp up his activity level. That doesn't necessarily mean he would play in the Giants' final preseason game Aug. 29 against New England, but either way, a return to full practice participation around that time would put Barkley on track for Week 1. His return to practice Monday is a major step toward that goal.

Foreman signed with the Falcons on Monday.

Foreman visited with Atlanta last week and now will join one of the league's thinnest backfields. He should get some chances this preseason, competing with Qadree Ollison, Cordarrelle Patterson, Javian Hawkins and Caleb Huntley behind starter Mike Davis. The 25-year-old Foreman has played just 17 games since the Texans picked him, 89th overall, in the 2017 draft.