NFL Player News

Swift (undisclosed) won't practice Thursday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Swift missed a few days of practice before returning Wednesday as a limited participant. There hasn't been any report of a setback, so it's possible the Lions are just holding him out to be cautious. Missed practice time is never great for a rookie, but Swift should still be a big part of the team's Week 1 game-plan if he's healthy enough to play.

The Dolphins claimed Ahmed off waivers from San Francisco on Wednesday.

Ahmed signed with the 49ers shortly after going unselected in April's draft, and he remained with the team throughout the offseason before being cut earlier this week. The Washington product had a total of 353 carries for 2,016 yards and 21 scores in his three-year college career. He'll now compete for a roster spot in Miami.

The Titans signed McNichols on Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Tennessee's backfield depth chart looks nebulous behind uncontested No. 1 option Derrick Henry, so McNichols could immediately figure into the competition at training camp. Of course, McNichols has only logged two career carries since joining the league in 2017, so he's unlikely to factor in as more than a reserve option.

Perine delivered a strong performance in Wednesday's scrimmage, scampering for a 79-yard touchdown run and gaining 36 yards on another carry, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

The rookie fourth-round pick out of Florida is currently listed third on the depth chart behind Le'Veon Bell and Frank Gore, but he could surpass the latter as the season goes on if the Jets decide to prioritize youth and upside at the position. Even if he quickly supplants Gore for a second on the depth chart, Perine's role as a rookie will likely still be limited, given that Bell is projected to handle a three-down role.

Mixon (undisclosed) wasn't spotted at practice Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Dehner also relays that he was told by the team Monday that Mixon had a "minor" injury. Assuming that's the case, the Week 1 availability of the Bengals' top back doesn't appear to be in any danger.

Head coach Matt Nagy said that Montgomery, who suffered a groin strain Wednesday, will undergoing further testing as the Bears look to determine the severity of the injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Reports earlier in the day suggested that Montgomery was carted off the practice field with the injury, but Adam Jahns of The Athletic later provided more specificity on the matter, relaying that the running back "left the practice field under his own power, was evaluated and was then carted to Halas Hall." In any case, Montgomery's health remains a situation to monitor, even though his injury situation appears less serious than initially feared.

Initial tests suggest Montgomery suffered a groin strain during Wednesday's practice, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Montgomery went to the ground without contact and was then carted off the field, leading to immediate speculation regarding the possibility of a major knee injury. Fortunately, the second wave of reports is far more promising than the first, with Adam Schefter of ESPN also suggesting Montgomery avoided a knee injury, and adding that the Bears are optimistic as they await results from more tests. Montgomery seems to have escaped the worst-case scenario of a torn knee ligament, but that doesn't necessarily mean he won't miss some time.

Montgomery left Wednesday's practice early with "what looked like a significant (leg) injury," Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Montgomery was carted off the field following a non-contact injury. The Bears will presumably send Montgomery in for further testing, after which a clearer diagnosis of his injury along with a potential timeline for his recovery will become available. Tarik Cohen should be in store for more reps with the first-team offense in the short term, but the Bears would more than likely add a veteran running back to the roster if Montgomery is forced to miss time.

Drake (foot) isn't practicing Wednesday, Bob McManaman of The Arizona Republic reports.

Drake and coach Kliff Kingsbury both have suggested the foot issue isn't a big problem, with the running back noting that he also used a walking boot last summer to avoid complications with a minor injury. Kingsbury, meanwhile, referred to the injury was "just some normal nicks and bruises" and said Drake's absence from practice was "precautionary." Given that Drake's role in the Arizona backfield is secure, some missed practices shouldn't really matter in the long run, so long as he's ready for Week 1 at San Francisco. In the meantime, Chase Edmonds should get most of the first-team reps in workouts.

Swift (undisclosed) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Swift's ability to return to work a few days after sitting out practice suggests his undisclosed injury isn't serious, but he nonetheless missed out on a few chances to make an impression with the first-team offense. The rookie is battling Kerryon Johnson for playing time in what likely will be a committee backfield. Though Johnson and Swift profile as the frontrunners to handle most of the snaps, there's also some chance Bo Scarbrough (undisclosed) could steal short-yardage work, and other backs like -- Ty Johnson, Jason Huntley, Jonathan Williams could also vie for small roles.