NFL Player News

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Harris won't suit up for Friday's preseason contest against the Panthers, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Tomlin's initial plan was to have Harris play in all four of Pittsburgh's preseason games, but the rookie first-round pick already appears to have proven all he needed to secure the starting job. The Steelers will instead sit Harris, along with a number of other starters, in order to guarantee his health for the regular-season opener Sept. 12 against Buffalo. Harris was quiet on the ground during last Saturday's exhibition matchup against the Lions with just four carries for 10 yards, but he showcased his receiving chops by securing two of three targets for 53 yards, including an impressive 46-yard catch-and-run.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Snell (lower body) will play in Friday's preseason game against Carolina, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Snell has been in and out of practice throughout August and hasn't played in any of the Steelers' exhibitions. It's hard to say where he stands on the depth chart, as competition for backfield roles appears open behind first-round pick and presumed starter Najee Harris, who will be held out of Friday's preseason contest. Snell still could be the team's No. 2 running back, but it's also possible he gets cut before the Aug. 31 deadline to chop rosters to 53 players.

Taylor's chances of making an impact in New England's backfield have increased after Sony Michel was traded to the Rams on Wednesday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Prior to Michel being moved, Taylor's roster spot looked much less secure, but the 5-foot-6, 185-pounder has looked good this summer and appears poised to stick as a shifty change-of-pace option behind top back Damien Harris. With pass-catching stalwart James White, power back Rhamondre Stevenson and special-teams ace Brandon Bolden also in the mix, Taylor doesn't have a path to steady volume, but the Arizona product has flashed playmaking ability when given touches. He could emerge as a fantasy factor as the season progresses when injuries hit New England's backfield, or when game scripts favor his style of running.

Funk has more competition for snaps following the Rams' trade for fellow running back Sony Michel on Wednesday, Kevin Modesti of The Orange County Register reports.

While the majority of rookie seventh-round picks have been desperately clawing for third-string spots, Funk has spent his summer competing with Xavier Jones for No. 2 standing on the Los Angeles depth chart, behind presumed starter Darrell Henderson after Cam Akers suffered an Achilles tear in July. The addition of Michel makes things a bit more crowded, but Funk still is in good shape relative to other late-round picks, with the running-back position arguably the biggest question mark for an otherwise-stellar team. Granted, Funk could end up on the practice squad if the Rams only keep three backs.

Stevenson could have added opportunities in New England's backfield behind Damien Harris after Sony Michel was dealt to the Rams on Wednesday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Stevenson, was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has proceeded to open eyes with his preseason efforts. Though the Patriots have in the past tended to ease rookie backs into the equation, Stevenson -- who possesses a nice blend of power and nimble feet -- figures to mix in on early downs behind Harris, and, with Michel no longer in the equation, is one injury away from a chance at a role with steady volume. Also in the team's backfield mix are change-of-pace back James White, J.J. Taylor and special teams ace Brandon Bolden. While Stevenson's immediate path to fantasy lineup utility is muddled, the Oklahoma product is well worth a late-round flier or auction end-game bid, given that his profile in New England's offense could grow as the 2021 season progresses.

Harris has a chance to be the "dominant back on running downs" in New England's offense after the Patriots traded Sony Michel to the Rams on Wednesday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Meanwhile, James White remains entrenched as the team's top pass-catching option, with power back Rhamondre Stevenson poised to serve as a backup to Harris when it comes to early down work. Finally, 5-foot-6, 185-pound sparkplug J.J. Taylor -- who has shown flashes of playmaking ability this summer -- is now in a better position to maintain his roster spot. Though Stevenson has been impressive during the preseason, the Patriots have in the past tended to ease rookie backs into the mix, so with Michel having been moved, added opportunities are now available for Harris in what could be a run-heavy attack.

Barkley (knee) will miss Wednesday's practice to attend to a personal matter, but he's expected to participate in live drills when he rejoins the Giants on Thursday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

As expected, the Giants are using joint practices with the Patriots to ramp up Barkley's workload. His absence Wednesday is a small hiccup, with the running back otherwise making steady progress in the two-plus weeks since he was activated from the PUP list. Thursday could be his most rigorous practice since suffering the ACL and MCL tear in his right knee last September.

Homer (calf) passed a physical examination and was activated from the PUP list Tuesday, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

Homer suffered the calf injury in the spring and had been sidelined for the past few weeks, but he was able to get back on the practice field Tuesday. The 23-year-old should compete with 2020 fourth-rounder DeeJay Dallas for the No. 3 role at running back now that he's healthy.

Williams could be set for a lead-back role in Week 1 against the 49ers if D'Andre Swift is sidelined or limited due to his current groin injury, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports.

Swift is primed to handle a legitimate No. 1 running back role this coming season, but his lingering groin injury also has the potential to wreak havoc with his conditioning. Chris Burke of The Athletic confirms head coach Dan Campbell is fretting over that possibility, noting "we don't know if he's gonna be out there" with regards to Swift in Week 1, and adding "we don't know, if he is, how much we're going to get out of him." Williams is well equipped to handle a bigger assignment if called upon after he put together three highly efficient efforts of 15 carries or more with the Packers in 2020.

Marable was waived by Chicago on Tuesday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Marable signed with the Bears as a UDFA out of Coastal Carolina in the spring, but he was unable to earn a spot on the season-opening roster. He had two carries for five yards and one catch for seven yards between the two preseason contests.