NFL Player News

Williams is listed as the backup running back behind Aaron Jones on the unofficial depth chart released by the Packers on Monday night.

There were whispers that -- after the Packers drafted running back AJ Dillon in the second round in February -- Williams could be released to open up salary-cap space for the Packers' impending big-name free agents. However, that turned out to be nothing more than speculation, and Williams -- set to become a free agent himself -- will remain in Green Bay for at least another year. Williams saw the field plenty last year despite playing behind Jones, and he figures to reprise a similar role in 2020.

Dillon is listed third, along with Tyler Ervin, on the unofficial depth chart released by the Packers on Monday night.

Dillon was drafted in the second round of April's draft, but it comes as little surprise that he does not occupy a prominent spot on the depth chart heading into Week 1, as both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams remain on the Packers' roster. Dillon is not likely to be much of a factor in the offense early on, but he is the most powerful of the team's four running backs, so he could be used in short-yardage situations. His role could certainly expand during the season as he gets more familiar with his surroundings, and at just shy of 250 pounds, Dillon will not be much fun to try and bring down when winter weather rolls around.

Washington listed Gibson as the No. 2 running back on the unofficial depth chart the team released Tuesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

J.D. McKissic sits atop the depth chart heading into Week 1, but his presence there doesn't necessarily mean he'll take Washington's first snap or lead the backfield in carries and touches in Sunday's season opener versus the Eagles. Instead, Washington is expected to make use of a committee of running backs that includes McKissic, Gibson, Peyton Barber and Bryce Love. The latter two backs will likely see most of their use in pure running situations, while McKissic's skills as a pass catcher could allow him to see steady work on three downs. During his final year at Memphis in 2019, Gibson excelled both as a runner (11.2 yards per carry on 33 totes) and receiver (38 receptions for 735 yards and eight scores), so the rookie third-round pick seemingly has the best potential among Washington's four backs to emerge as a three-down option. The uncertainty regarding Gibson's workload early on will make it difficult to depend on him in Week 1 fantasy lineups.

Kamara and the Saints are "extremely close" to coming to terms on a contract extension, which is expected to be finalized before New Orleans' season opener Sunday versus the Buccaneers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, Kamara's contract status has been a hot topic in training camp, though the running back himself indicated that his recent four-day absence from practice wasn't due to any dissatisfaction with his current deal. In any case, a long-term deal with the Saints would erase any lingering concern about Kamara entertaining a holdout or being traded ahead of Week 1, a development that would likely have many fantasy managers feeling better about the first-round pick they invested into the 25-year-old. Kamara is on track to continue heading the Saints' ground game in 2020 while serving as one of the NFL's most prolific receivers out of the backfield, and he'll once again have the luxury of working behind a top-tier offensive line.

Jones is listed as the No. 1 running back in the first edition of the Buccaneers' regular-season depth chart released Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The third-year back will therefore start the new season in the same slotting in which he finished 2019, but the competition around him has been upgraded significantly. Gone is the willing but often pedestrian Peyton Barber -- Jones' main rival for carries last season -- and a pair of ultra-talented assets in Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy are now in the fold and slated to see touches in their own right. While McCoy is likely to primarily handle occasional change-of-pace duty and third-down work, Fournette is about as legitimate a competitor for early-down carries as it gets, and rookie third-round pick Ke'Shawn Vaughn is also waiting in the wings. Consequently, Jones naturally will have to produce in every facet each week to retain his current standing.

Hines will begin the season as Indy's primary kickoff and punt returner. He's also listed as the No. 3 running back on the team's initial unofficial depth chart.

Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni has said that Hines will still be a significant part of the offense, but there will be plenty of competition with rookie Jonathan Taylor joining Marlon Mack and Jordan Wilkins in the Indianapolis backfield. Mack and Taylor are expected to be near co-starters, which could leave Hines with a limited number of snaps per game.

Taylor is listed as the No. 2 running back on the Colts' initial unofficial depth chart. Marlon Mack is listed as the starter.

While rookie Taylor has drawn rave reviews in training camp, head coach Frank Reich has said Mack is still viewed as the starter. Still, the Indy coaching staff has continued to say they view their backfield as a committee with both Mack and Taylor as a "one-two punch." Taylor will need to improve as a receiver to claim a larger share of the touches in the backfield, as he struggled at times with drops in college. He had mixed reports in training camp on his receiving abilities with some drops in scrimmages but also some reports of strong showings in the passing game.

Kamara said he's "never held out in (his) life" when asked Monday about his recent four-day unexcused absence from practice, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

Kamara avoided questions regarding his negotiations with the Saints about a new contract, affirming that his focus is on Sunday's divisional tilt against the Buccaneers. Additionally, coach Sean Payton said he's "confident that at some point we'll get this [contract] done," but he declined to offer any further details. It doesn't appear as though the three-time Pro Bowler is entertaining the idea of any sort of holdout as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. It has also been reported that Kamara sought treatment for a minor back issue during his previous absence, but he's now resumed fully participating in practice.

Drake (foot) is healthy and ready to suit up for Sunday's regular-season opener against the 49ers, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Drake said that he resumed practicing last Thursday, and that he was out of the walking boot he was spotted wearing Aug. 24 "in like two days." The starting running back then dealt with an illness, but Drake confirmed that he was never dealing with any issue that truly threatened his regular-season availability. The 25-year-old is poised to serve as the clear-cut top option in Arizona's backfield, but he'll face the challenge of overcoming a stout defensive front against San Francisco in Week 1.

Mack is listed as the top running back on the Colts' initial unofficial depth chart.

While rookie Jonathan Taylor has drawn rave reviews in training camp, head coach Frank Reich has said Mack is still viewed as the starter. Mack was also seen having a strong camp and improved on his receiving skills. While Taylor ultimately may win a majority of touches in the backfield, Mack looks set to be the first running back on the field. Still, the Indy coaching staff has continued to say they view their backfield as a committee with both Mack and Taylor as a "one-two punch."