NFL Player News

The Rams placed Akers (Achilles) on the active/non-football injury list Wednesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Akers is a little more than a week removed from suffering a torn Achilles' tendon, which typically would give a player no shot to return this season due to it occurring so close to Week 1. However, the Rams have yet to rule him out for the 2021 campaign, per Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News, as the team continues to evaluate the injury. For the time being, the Rams will rely on a backfield composed of Darrell Henderson (undisclosed), Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, Raymond Calais and Otis Anderson.

Drake (undisclosed) is considered "day-to-day," with the aim of returning to practice Friday, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Drake worked on the side at Wednesday's practice, and the Raiders eventually placed him on the non-football injury list. The nature of his injury is unknown, but considering he may practice by week's end, it clearly isn't severe. With Jalen Richard (undisclosed) and Theo Riddick (undisclosed) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the number of running backs currently available at Las Vegas' training camp has been cut in half.

Raiders placed Drake (undisclosed) on the active/non-football injury list Wednesday.

Las Vegas has yet to announce an injury for Drake, but Tashan Reed of The Athletic noted that the running back was off to the side working with the Raiders' training staff during practice Wednesday. With Jalen Richard and Theo Riddick both having landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team's backfield depth is being taxed early on in training camp.

Felton took part in drills with the Cleveland running backs Wednesday during the first practice of training camp, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Felton has the skill set to play either running back or wide receiver, but the Browns appear content to use him in the former role, at least initially. The rookie sixth-round pick will compete with D'Ernest Johnson for the No. 3 job on a running back depth chart that has Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt cemented as the top two options.

Penny (knee) isn't on the PUP list to begin training camp, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Even if he's a limited participant initially, Penny's ability to avoid the PUP list is an encouraging sign after he was held out of June minicamp. He had a cleanup procedure earlier this offseason on his left knee, the same one in which he suffered an ACL tear in December 2019. Despite playing just three games in his first season back from the injury, Penny now has a shot to win the second spot on the depth chart, as Seattle's other options behind starter Chris Carson are DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer (calf), Alex Collins and a pair of players who have yet to play an NFL snap (Josh Johnson and Cameron Scarlett). Penny should have a chance to establish some value in the final year of his rookie contract, though he's unlikely to ever live up to his first-round pedigree.

The Seahawks placed Homer (calf) on the PUP list to start training camp, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

Homer also missed time during June minicamp due to the calf injury, so his status warrants monitoring. Being forced to sit out a significant portion of training camp could affect Homer's chances of beating out DeeJay Dallas and Alex Collins for the No. 3 backfield role behind Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny (knee).

Drake was working off to the side with the training staff while his teammates practiced Wednesday, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

While Drake isn't known to be dealing with an injury, Reed notes that pass-catching backs Jalen Richard and Theo Riddick also were held out for the first practice of training camp. Drake's presence on a side field suggests he's merely dealing with a minor injury, but it'll be something to keep an eye on if he doesn't return to practice within the first couple weeks of camp. He signed a two-year, $11 million contract with Las Vegas this offseason, joining Josh Jacobs to form an impressive backfield duo.

Carter lined up with the starting offense Wednesday at the first practice of training camp, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.

With fellow rookie Zach Wilson still unsigned, Carter was joined on the first unit by quarterback Mike White, receivers Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder and Keelan Cole and tight end Tyler Kroft. The rookie running back out of North Carolina may still end up in a committee, but it's increasingly clear he's expected to fill a big role, perhaps even as the starter or lead back. Carter is competing with Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, La'Mical Perine, Josh Adams and Austin Walter in the New York backfield.

Hines is dealing with a hip injury and won't practice Wednesday, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

Hines has played all 48 games through three NFL seasons and wasn't reported to be dealing with an injury or recovering from surgery during the offseason. He's likely just dealing with a minor issue, but the Colts haven't provided details yet, apart from revealing that his absence from the first day of training camp was due to a hip injury. The team has impressive backfield depth, with Hines joined by Marlon Mack and Jordan Wilkins behind lead runner Jonathan Taylor.

Moss (ankle) will practice Wednesday, though head coach Sean McDermott said it would be "irresponsible" if the running back was a full go in the session, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

In other words, Moss will start camp as a limited participant after missing offseason practices entirely. He's coming back from mid-January surgery on his left ankle, again competing with Devin Singletary for first-team reps in the Buffalo backfield. Moss, the 86th overall pick in the 2020 Draft, finished his rookie campaign with 112 carries for 481 yards (4.3 YPC) and four touchdowns, plus 14 catches for 95 yards and another score over his 13 games. Singletary was also a mediocre performer despite starting all 16 games, finishing with 156 carries for 687 yards (4.4 YPC) and two TDs and 38 catches for 260 yards. Given Josh Allen's dominance of the offensive workload, especially in the red zone, it'll be hard for either Moss or Singletary to establish significant fantasy value if the committee continues. Moss at least seems to be on track for Week 1, and he could even make a preseason appearance in August.