NFL Player News

McFarland rushed three times for nine yards and hauled in his lone target for six yards in the Steelers' 16-3 preseason win over the Cowboys in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game.

McFarland had a nine-yard rush in Thursday's preseason opener that was Pittsburgh's longest rush of the game, but he failed to generate any yardage on his other two carries. The 2020 fourth-rounder is competing for a secondary role in the Steelers' backfield with Jaylen Samuels, Kalen Ballage and Benny Snell.

The Ravens activated Edwards from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Edwards tested positive for COVID-19 on July 27 and has spent the time since progressing through the league's related protocols, so Friday's session will mark his first on-field activity of training camp. The 26-year-old running back, who inked a two-year extension with the Ravens back in June, can resume operating as the team's No. 2 running back behind J.K. Dobbins.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network relays that Barkley's rehab from a major knee injury has been going "exceptionally well" and speculates that the running back could make his season debut somewhere between Week 1 and Week 3.

Barkley's availability for Week 1 is still unclear, as that estimate implies, and could tilt one way or the other once he resumes practicing, but it does appear as though he'll avoid starting the coming campaign on the PUP list and will thus have an opportunity to work his way back into the mix early on this season. Though a Week 1 return has not being ruled out at this stage, we suspect the Giants aren't inclined to rush their star back anyhow, with Rapoport indicating that this a "long-term play" for the team.

Elliott was among the Cowboys' key players who didn't take the field in Thursday's Hall of Fame game against the Steelers, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The team was predictably cautious with established starters like Elliott on Thursday, which paved the way for Rico Dowdle to lead the way with eight carries for 43 yards in Dallas' 16-3 loss. Also in the mix were Brenden Knox (four carries), JaQuan Hardy (three carries) and Tony Pollard (two carries). The Cowboys have three more exhibition games in which to get Elliott some preseason touches, but we suspect that if/when that does occur, the running back's workload won't be extensive.

Wilkins (hamstring) returned to practice Friday, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

Wilkins had been held out of practice since Tuesday due to a minor hamstring injury, but he's now been given the green light to rejoin teammates on the field. The 2018 fifth-round pick handled a career-high 84 carries last season, though though his YPC dropped down to 3.7 after sitting at 5.6 and 6.0 in 2018 and 2019.

Pollard rushed twice for nine yards and did not see any targets during the Cowboys' 16-3 preseason loss to the Steelers in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game.

Even with Ezekiel Elliott suiting up but not playing, Pollard was utilized sparingly while the Cowboys gave Rico Dowdle an extended look. Pollard should once again be set for a solid complementary role behind Elliott, one that could even include a boost in the 101 carries Pollard logged in 2020 with Elliott playing in 15 games. There's also been talk this offseason of the third-year pro seeing more work as a receiver, which would seemingly be one way to take advantage of his ability in space while also potentially deploying him and Elliott simultaneously.

Harris rushed seven times for 22 yards and secured his only target for three yards during the Steelers' 16-3 preseason win over the Cowboys in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game.

The rookie first-round pick, who's slated to see action in all four preseason games according to head coach Mike Tomlin, got a solid allotment of work in Thursday's contest, beginning with the Steelers' opening drive. Harris looked impressive while churning out a pair of five- and six-yard gains apiece over the three possessions he participated in, and his remaining unproductive runs appeared to largely be the result of subpar blocking. Pittsburgh unsurprisingly played things fairly close to the vest on offense in its opening exhibition, but there's been plenty of rumblings about Harris potentially being split out wide at times during the regular season in order to capitalize on his above-average receiving skills.

Swift's practice reps have been limited of late by a tight groin, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. "He's bound pretty tight and he runs hot, so we're trying to get him (good work) and then back him down," coach Dan Campbell said of the running back.

At this point, Swift's issue appears to be a minor one that the team is simply managing, with his Week 1 availability not a concern at this time. Swift currently heads the Detroit backfield depth chart, followed by Jamaal Williams and Jermar Jefferson, with Dedrick Mills and Michael Warren also in the mix.

Ahmed (lower body) remained limited at practice Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Ahmed followed the same routine as Tuesday, limited to individual drills while donning a non-contact jersey. He and Malcolm Brown seem to be competing for the No. 2 RB spot behind Myles Gaskin, though a poor summer could have Ahmed on the outside looking in when it comes time for roster cutdowns at the end of the preseason.

Sanders has struggled with drops and ball security at training camp, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

One week of camp is a small sample, but it's nonetheless worth noting given that Sanders had seven drops and four fumbles in 12 games last season. He also averaged 5.3 yards per carry, and by all accounts is still operating as Philadelphia's starting running back in practice. However, the 2019 second-round pick may not have as much leeway with the new coaching staff, especially if he struggles with the same things -- namely durability and ball security -- that held him back last season. The Eagles have solid backfield depth with Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell, Kerryon Johnson and Jordan Howard.