NFL Player News

Robinson has a chance to carve out an early-season role in Jacksonville's backfield, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

With Leonard Fournette no longer in the mix, coach Doug Marrone indicated that out of the gate the team's backfield strategy will be "situation and matchup-based." Ryquell Armstead is currently on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list. Robinson, an undrafted rookie, has been a pleasant surprise for the team, and it's plausible that he'll be part of an early-down rotation Week 1, possibly with Devine Ozigbo, while veteran Chris Thompson provides a change-of-pace/pass-catching presence.

Coach Doug Marrone has acknowledged that the Jaguars' approach to who gets carries out of the gate will be "situation and matchup-based," with Ozigbo, Chris Thompson and James Robinson likely candidates to see early season touches, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Ryquell Armstead is currently on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list. It was also reported Saturday that Devonta Freeman had a visit planned with the Jaguars, but as things stand, it's plausible that the team employs a committee approach out of the gate, with Thompson likely to have a high profile in passing situations and the team's other active backs rotating on early downs. Ozigbo should be part of that mix, but it may not be until the team resumes practice -- and it's reported how first-team reps are handled -- that we'll have more than a speculative take on Jacksonville's potential Week 1 carry allotment.

Swift (undisclosed) is facing additional backfield competition for reps from Adrian Peterson, who signed a one-year contract with the Lions on Sunday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Swift and Kerryon Johnson are still expected to handle a bulk of the workload to begin the season, but Peterson has commanded carries at every stop during his 13-year career, so he'll cut into their touches to some degree. It doesn't help that Swift has missed so many practices with an undisclosed injury, but once he's healthy, the rookie second-round pick is expected to pull away as the lead back. He's clearly the most dynamic of the bunch and has impressed with his pass-catching ability early in camp. Peterson can't compete with Swift in the latter, so he should be considered a dependable, veteran backup that may chip away at Swift's ceiling but leaves a consistent workload for the rookie.

Barner (lower body) was let go by Baltimore on Saturday, Morgan Adsit of Fox Baltimore reports.

Barner was dealing with an injury that forced him to miss some of the later stages of camp, so it's likely that contributed to his release. The depth tailback and return specialist will look to find opportunity elsewhere, perhaps returning to Baltimore on its practice squad.

Johnson made the Browns' 53-man roster, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Johnson slots in at third on the depth chart behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. He beat out Dontrell Hilliard, who could return as a member of the practice squad. Johnson also has experience as a kick returner. He had four carries and seven targets in 16 games last season.

Hasty was waived by the 49ers on Saturday.

Hasty signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in April and was impressive in training camp, featuring elusiveness and a strong pass-catching ability. Despite the strong showing, the 49ers are keeping only experienced running backs with Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson making the final roster. The 49ers will look to retain Hasty on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Hills was waived by the Lions on Saturday.

Following a slew of injuries to the Lions' backfield, Hills was promoted from the practice squad in 2019 and was active for Week 15's matchup versus the Buccaneers. He ended up rushing 10 times for 21 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught both targets for one yard. He could land back on the practice squad as insurance in case another injury bug lands in Detroit.

The Texans waived Phillips on Saturday.

The undrafted free agent out of Mississippi regressed in his final collegiate season, registering 4.3 yards per carry and five touchdowns after posting respective marks of 6.1 and 12 in 2018. He's flashed potential before, so if he clears waivers, he could be a practice squad candidate.

The Texans waived Higdon on Saturday.

Higdon spent the 2019 campaign on the Texans' practice squad and is likely heading there again this season. If David Johnson, Duke Johnson or Buddy Howell sustains an injury, expect Higdon to be next in line for a promotion.

The Seahawks placed Penny (knee) on the reserve/PUP list Saturday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

This move was expected all along, as Penny's December knee injury revealed damage beyond just a torn ACL. The Seahawks can afford to keep him on the sidelines until he's fully healthy as well since they signed Carlos Hyde (undisclosed) and drafted DeeJay Dallas this offseason. They also have second-year back Travis Homer on the roster. Penny can be activated off the PUP list and begin practicing after Week 6. At that point, he could cut into Chris Carson's workload if he's fully healthy, but first, Carson has five games to establish himself as a bell cow and make coach Pete Carroll forget about his past fumbling issues.