NFL Player News

Edmonds has been joined in the Cardinals backfield by James Conner, whom the organization signed Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

After Kenyan Drake was allowed to explore free agency, eventually linking up with the Raiders, Edmonds was the highest profile holdover among Arizona's running backs before this acquisition. At 6-foot-1, 233 pounds, Conner has the stature of an early-down and short-yardage option, but Edmonds has two years of experience in coach Kliff Kingsbury's system, which has resulted in 4.8 YPC on 157 rushes, 65 catches on 88 targets and 10 total touchdowns in 29 games. The Cardinals still may add another RB during the upcoming draft, but Edmonds likely has the upper hand for more work between him and Conner considering the latter's injury history (he missed time every season and played 50 of a possible 64 contests during four years in Pittsburgh).

Conner (toe) agreed Tuesday with the Cardinals on a one-year, $1.75 million contract, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports.

Conner visited with the Cardinals on Monday and reportedly came to terms on a deal less than 24 hours later. After spending the first four years of his career in Pittsburgh, the soon-to-be 26-year-old joins an Arizona backfield where Chase Edmonds is the only other player with considerable NFL experience. Granted, the Cardinals still have plenty of time to add more bodies, particularly during the upcoming NFL Draft. Conner is still rehabbing from offseason toe surgery, but the expectation is he'll be healthy at some point in June.

Conner is recovering from toe surgery but should be healthy in June, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

An unrestricted free agent, Conner is scheduled to meet with the Cardinals on Monday. He doesn't seem to have drummed up much interest otherwise, but a move to Arizona would give him a realistic shot to earn significant playing time, even if he settles for a one-year contract with minimal guarantees. Conner may end up waiting until after the 2021 NFL Draft, at which point team needs will be clearer.

Conner is scheduled to visit the Cardinals, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports.

Following the free-agent departure of Kenyan Drake, it's pretty clear that the Cardinals need to bolster their backfield, either through the draft or by signing an experienced option like Conner. For now, Chase Edmonds sits atop the team's running back depth chart, and if Arizona elects to bring in Conner there's a path to a decent role. The 25-year-old is coming off a 2020 campaign in which he logged 169 carries for 721 yards and six TDs to go along with 35 catches for 215 yards in 13 games with the Steelers.

Leake was waived by the Washington Football Team on Friday.

Leake spent time on Washington's practice squad before suiting up for his one game in 2020, during which he logged six snaps on special teams. The 22-year-old will aim to make another team's roster as a reserve back.

Scott has signed his exclusive-rights tender with the Eagles, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With only two accredited seasons to his name, Scott will need to wait until next spring for his first shot at restricted free agency. He's a clear No. 2 on Philadelphia's backfield depth chart heading into April, but there's still plenty of time for the team to add competition before training camp. Scott averaged 4.7 yards on 80 carries and 8.5 yards on 25 catches last season, though he barely got any touches when Miles Sanders was healthy. Scott's four starts accounted for 51 of his 80 carries (64 percent) and nine of his 25 receptions (36 percent).

Giants co-owner John Mara said Wednesday that the team is "not in any hurry" to extend Barkley (knee) a long-term extension, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Mara also said that he hopes Barkley is a "Giant for life," adding that he's fully confident the star running back will return to full health. According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, general manager Dave Gettleman said earlier this month that Barkley's injuries have complicated the team's looming decision about whether to pick up his fifth-year option, a choice that will need to be made this spring. Barkley has undeniably been slowed by injury ever since winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2018, and in 2020, he had 19 carries for just 34 yards in two contests before tearing his right ACL. All recent news regarding Barkley's recovery process has at least been positive, so it's difficult to imagine New York simply letting him walk after 2021. However, it's also worth noting that under the new CBA, all fifth-year options are fully guaranteed upon being exercised, which could be prompt the Giants to be more cautious in their deal-making after spending heavily in free agency.

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday that he expects Vaughn to have a "breakout year" in 2021, Taylor Jenkins of PewterReport.com reports.

Arians wouldn't rule out drafting a running back in April, but he suggested he has confidence in all of Vaughn, Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones. While Fournette's performance in the playoffs makes him a clear favorite for the lead role heading into Week 1, the Bucs could make more of an effort to involve Vaughn in their offense in his second season. The 2020 third-round pick barely played as a rookie, taking 31 touches for 143 yards and a touchdown in 10 games.

Hasty (collarbone) is the favorite to secure San Francisco's No. 3 running back job, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Raheem Mostert (ankle) will be back for the 2021 campaign, and Jeff Wilson signed a one-year extension back in January. With Tevin Coleman now a Jet, the door is open for Hasty to secure the No. 3 job in the backfield. However, his projected role will get cloudy if the 49ers select a running back in the upcoming draft. As an undrafted rookie out of Baylor, Hasty flashed some upside in limited action last year, rushing 39 times for 148 yards and a touchdown and catching seven of eight passes for 33 yards. Both Mostert and Wilson had injury issues last season, so Hasty could be a worthwhile stash for fantasy purposes. Coach Kyle Shanahan often mixes up his backfield rotation too, and his scheme provides high upside for the lead back.

Barner (groin) is a candidate to return to Tampa Bay on a league-minimum deal, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Barner won't have much of a place in the Buccaneers backfield after the team decided to bring back Leonard Fournette, but his utility on special teams could allow him a shot to compete during training camp. Barner currently is a free agent after having ended last season on IR due to a groin injury, and his best chance of signing anywhere when healthy will be as an option in the return game.