NFL Player News

Mostert didn't participate in Wednesday's OTA session due to a knee issue, but he's expected to be fine for training camp, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mostert put together a strong showing in his eight games for the 49ers last season, but he had trouble staying on the field and finished the campaign on injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain. Unfortunately, he appears to be starting the offseason on the mend from an injury, but this latest one isn't expected to cost him many meaningful reps. Even if he's back to full strength for Week 1, Mostert may face more competition for reps in 2021 with the 49ers investing draft picks into Trey Sermon (No. 88 overall) and Elijah Mitchell (No. 194 overall) in the spring and adding ex-Giant Wayne Gallman on a one-year deal.

Gibson said Wednesday that he hasn't fully healed from the toe injury he suffered last season, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

After missing Weeks 14 and 15, the rookie returned for Weeks 16 and 17 and Washington's lone playoff contest, though he was limited to 185 total yards and zero touchdowns over the three-game stretch. Gibson didn't need surgery after the season, but it's apparently been a slow process working his way back from turf toe, as he still notices pain and discomfort at times. That said, Gibson has been practicing with teammates at OTAs, where he says he's been running and cutting at full speed. He also revealed that he still gets treatment for the troublesome toe, hoping it'll eventually get back to 100 percent, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Barkley (knee) hasn't dealt with any setbacks since October surgery, but the Giants still could limit his workload early in the season, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com.

With his ACL tear accompanied by meniscus and MCL damage, Barkley had to wait six weeks after the initial injury (Sept. 20) before undergoing surgery at the end of October. He's since resumed sprinting and jumping, but he won't participate in on-field work during the offseason program and might not be available for the start of training camp. The Giants brought in a new crew of backup RBs this offseason, replacing Wayne Gallman (49ers) and Dion Lewis (free agent) with Devontae Booker, Corey Clement, Ryquell Armstead and Gary Brightwell (a 2021 sixth-round pick). Booker is most likely to benefit from extra touches if Barkley is brought along slowly come September.

Mack (Achilles) has been participating in activities with the Colts during voluntary offseason workouts being held at team headquarters, but he hasn't been seen participating in practice, Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports.

Mack suffered a ruptured right Achilles' tendon in Week 1 last year and missed the remainder of the season. He appears to be on track for the start of training camp, but he's still taking things slowly this spring. If healthy, he'll slot in behind Jonathan Taylor to start the 2021 campaign, leaving him in line to fill a complementary role along with Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins.

Moss's recovery from ankle surgery is going well, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports. "The discipline, the commitment, the rehab ... and Zack, that takes a special person be able to do that," coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday.

Moss suffered the injury in the Bills' first playoff game and ended up on injured reserve for the team's last two postseason contests while he underwent surgery. It's not clear how close he is to returning to full practice work, but it sounds like the second-year back's status for the 2021 season won't be in question. He's slated to compete with Devin Singletary and veteran Matt Breida for snaps and touches at the start of the season, but Moss could be the favorite to win the biggest share if he's 100 percent.

With Jeff Wilson (knee) being ruled out 4-to-6 months, Sermon could jump up the depth chart during training camp.

Raheem Mostert and Wilson were assumed to be the 1A/1B combo Shanahan would deploy in 2021, but the news of the latter's surgery opens the door for Sermon to grasp a larger role in this potent offense. The third-round pick has a large frame (6-foot, 215 pounds) and surprising agility for a back his size. If he can secure the backup role behind a fragile starter in Mostert, Sermon could burst onto the fantasy scene if his production in the SEC translates well into the NFL. Today's news certainly raises the back's stock heading into training camp and early fantasy drafts.

Wilson recently underwent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus and is expected to be sidelined 4-to-6 months, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

It's a tough break for the the 25-year-old, who will now be sidelined for the start of the season and could be out into November if he returns on the long end of the initial timeline. Raheem Mostert is poised to open the season atop the depth chart, while rookies Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell and veteran Wayne Gallman will provide some much-needed depth in Wilson's absence.

Swift is expected to share a large portion of the workload with recent signee Jamaal Williams according to offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

The Lions emphasized adding depth at running back this offseason, signing Williams via free agency and drafting Jermar Jefferson in the seventh round. At least in the case of the former, Lynn seemed to suggest Williams could even work in tandem with Swift, saying, "I don't see them as being interchangeable, I see them more as being complementary. Swift is more of a speed-space back; Jamaal can be more of a between-the-tackles and sometimes perimeter." Adrian Peterson, who was not re-signed in the offseason, nearly doubled Swift's red-zone carries last year, so it's possible Williams could immediately fill that void. That being said, Swift never really saw consistent playing time with the Packers until Week 6 of last year and also missed three games due to injuries later in the season, so a bump in playing time is almost guaranteed. How Lynn's comments impact the backfield opportunities remains to be seen, but it's at least worth noting, given Swift's rightfully high fantasy outlook entering the 2021-2022 campaign.

Kelley could be competing for the final running back spot with 2020 sixth-round pick Larry Rountree, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

The presumed hierarchy according to Popper would see Austin Ekeler handle most of the work out of the backfield with Justin Jackson filling in occasionally as a change-of-pace option. That would leave Kelley and Rountree in an ultra-utility capacity, but the recent sixth-round pick profiles a bit better as a goal-line threat, something the Chargers seemingly lack at the moment. Kelley was a major factor at the start of his rookie season but dramatically tailed off toward the end of the year, finishing as a healthy scratch in two of the final four games. Considering Rountree also has experience playing special teams throughout college, it's entirely possible Kelley may be on the outside looking in when it comes to the running back depth chart.

Ekeler could in position for a massive season in offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's system, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Considering the type of player Alvin Kamara developed into under coach Lombardi's system in New Orleans, it's entirely possible the ultra-versatile Ekeler could be an even more prominent weapon, especially if the team opts to motion the running back out wide more often (Kamara finished the 2020 season with the second-most outside WR snaps of any RB, and fourth-most slot snaps). A Grade 2 hamstring strain ultimately cost Ekeler six games last season, but even before the injury, Ekeler was far short of the pass-catching pace he set the year prior with Philip Rivers under center. Should Ekeler stay healthy for a full season, it's entirely possible the 26-year-old could threaten current receiving records for running backs, making him an extremely valuable high-upside selection, particularly in PPR formats.