NFL Player News

Felton worked out with Cleveland's receivers during Thursday's practice session, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Whether Felton working with the receivers was by design or need is not clear, as a few pass-catchers were not on the practice field Thursday. The 2021 sixth-rounder is a hybrid back/receiver that practiced with the running backs Wednesday. The 5-foot-9, 189-pounder could have a hard time making the final roster in either lane, but the Browns are expected to give him many opportunities in preseason games and the joint practices with the Giants on Aug. 19 and 20. Felton could hook on as a returner as well.

Penny indicated Thursday that he's down to 223 pounds after playing at around 234 pounds during his time at San Diego State, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports. "I feel fast. I feel amazing," said Penny

Penny hasn't lived up to his first-round billing in the 2018 NFL Draft thus far and will likely have to settle for a supporting role behind Chris Carson, but he did post reasonably good per-carry averages in his first two seasons at 4.9 and 5.7. He's in the fourth year of his deal with Seattle and it will be a contract year following the team's decision to decline his fifth-year option. It appears he's healthy and would be the likely candidate to step into the lead role should Carson falter or miss time.

Igwebuike is being moved to running back during the start of training camp, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

After bouncing around the league as a safety since going undrafted in 2018, Igwebuike is not only getting a look at running back but kick returner as well. However, the Northwestern product is buried on the depth chart at both positions and Igwebuike remains a long shot to make the final roster out of training camp.

Zack Cox of NESN.com views Harris as the clear favorite to serve as the Patriots' No. 1 back this coming season.

While coach Bill Belichick isn't normally the type to detail player's projected roles, he did note that the third-year back is someone "that improved a lot from Year 1 to Year 2," while acknowledging that the 2019 third-rounder "has an opportunity to compete for a lead spot, and he's embraced that." Also in the Patriots' backfield mix are Sony Michel, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, Brandon Bolden, J.J. Taylor and Tyler Gaffney. For now, Michel profiles as Harris' main competition for early-down work, while White retains his change-of-pace role in the New England offense. Down the road, Stevenson -- who began camp on the active/non-football injury list -- has a chance to compete for complementary touches, but at this stage Harris looks like the best bet fantasy-wise among the team's running backs.

Mostert (knee) fielded some punts at Wednesday's practice, Keiana Martin of 49ers.com reports.

The main takeaway is that Mostert returned healthy for the start of training camp after dealing with a minor knee injury during OTAs. He's never returned a punt in a regular-season game and isn't likely to take on such a role at this point in his career, though he was largely valued for his work on special teams prior to a late-2019 breakout. Mostert then made eight starts for the Niners in 2020, but he left two of those games early and missed eight others, held back by knee and ankle sprains. He did put up 65.1 rushing yards per game and 5.0 YPC, and he displayed his trademark speed on an 80-yard TD run and a 76-yard receiving score in September. While the explosiveness may keep Mostert atop San Francisco's depth chart, Tim Kawakami of The Athletic suggests rookie third-round pick Trey Sermon "already seems to be pretty much 1B to [Mostert]'s 1A at the tailback spot."

Sermon appears to be "1B to Raheem Mostert's 1A" in the San Francisco backfield, according to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic.

Mostert averaged 13 carries and two receptions in eight starts last season, so there's room for another runner to make an impact even if the speedy 29-year-old keeps his starting job and stays healthy. Sermon already got some work with the first-team offense during the 49ers' offseason program and is now continuing that at training camp, while fellow back Jeff Wilson (knee) remains in danger of missing the first half of the upcoming season. Wayne Gallman is the lone veteran behind Mostert in the San Francisco backfield, with the other options being 2020 UDFA JaMycal Hasty and 2021 UDFA Elijah Mitchell.

Barkley (knee) worked with the Giants' training staff while his teammates practiced Wednesday, Art Stapleton of northjersey.com reports.

Barkley will reside on the PUP list until he's cleared to practice, but that didn't stop him from chatting with his healthy teammates and going through some individual drills in shorts and a hoodie. The 24-year-old running back has refused to comment on his expectations for returning to practice or games, after he was held out of the offseason program while finishing up his rehab from late-October surgery. With Barkley still out, Devontae Booker should get regular work alongside Daniel Jones and the first-team offense.

The Chiefs placed Thompson on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Thompson hasn't necessarily tested positive for the virus, but he'll need to clear the NFL's health and safety protocols before rejoining the team. The 24-year-old is expected to fill a depth role in the backfield for Kansas City behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon this season.

Johnson wasn't present for the start of training camp Wednesday while attending the birth of his first child, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Johnson should return to the team by the end of the week.

Penny (knee) was a full participant during the first practice of training camp Wednesday, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

The 25-year-old avoided the PUP list to open camp and is apparently fully healthy after undergoing a cleanup procedure during the offseason that sidelined him for June minicamp. It's a make-or-break year for Penny, who was limited to three games in 2020 and is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He's poised to begin the season as Seattle's No. 2 tailback behind starter Chris Carson.