NFL Player News

Taylor and Marlon Mack are viewed not just as a 1-2 punch, but a "1-1 punch," in the Colts' offense, offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni told the team's official web site. "They have some different running styles, but again they're both complete backs. I think that's a fantastic problem to have, is to have two guys like that you can feed the football to. It's only going to help our running game," he said.

The Colts selected Taylor in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft even with Mack coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season. Sirianni's comments echo head coach Frank Reich's from last week calling them a 1-2 punch, making it clear the Colts plan to split the workload at running back. However, neither coach's comments got into specifics on how playing time will be divided.

While there haven't been any signs of progress in negotiations, Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin said that the organization desires to sign Mixon to a long-term deal, Chris Roling of USA Today reports.

The initial conventional wisdom was that a deal with Mixon would have to wait until the Bengals resolved A.J. Green's long-term contract situation, but that might not necessarily be the case.

Daniel signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent shortly after the 2020 NFL Draft, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Daniel recorded 1,728 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns during his collegiate career at South Dakota State, but he's poised to work as a fullback in the NFL. The rookie likely will be competing for a spot on the practice squad, as Keith Smith inked a three-year extension in March.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Wednesday that he foresees Dobbins working as a "three-down back," Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Dobbins may not immediately fill that three-down role as a rookie with Mark Ingram hanging around, but the veteran's contract would allow the team to part ways with him following the 2020 season with limited repercussions if it chooses to do so. If that comes to pass, Dobbins, would only have to beat out 2019 fourth-round pick Justice Hill to lay claim to a full workload, as Gus Edwards becomes a free agent after the 2020 season. The prospect of Dobbins potentially handling a heavy workload in 2021 and beyond would make him an attractive target in dynasty drafts.

Gore signed a contract with the Chargers on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old split time between the Redskins' and Chargers' practice squads last season, and he's now making his way back to Los Angeles. Gore went undrafted out of Louisiana-Monroe in 2019 and is still looking to make his NFL debut.

The Jaguars cut McNichols on Monday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McNichols' only game action with the Jaguars last season came Week 17, when he logged three offensive snaps without touching the ball. Since entering the league as a fifth-round pick in 2017, McNichols has appeared in four contests while spending most of his time on practice squads.

Holly joined the Chargers on a one-year deal following the NFL Draft.

Holly only started three games in college, primarily acting as a special teams force during his three seasons at Louisiania Tech. He'll compete with another undrafted rookie free agent, Gabe Nabers, after incumbent Derek Watt joined the Steelers earlier this offseason.

Conner (quadriceps) projects as the leader of a committee backfield in Pittsburgh, Ed Bouchette of The Athletic reports.

Unable to build on his 2018 breakout, Conner missed six full games plus the majority of two others in 2019, and he also noticed a significant dip in yards per carry (4.0) and a smaller dip in yards per target (6.6). Both numbers were better than what the Steelers got from Benny Snell (3.9 YPC, three catches) and Jaylen Samuels (2.7 YPC, 5.4 YPT), but now there's another body -- fourth-round pick Anthony McFarland -- entering the backfield mix after the team devoted a middle-round selection to the position for the fourth consecutive year. Conner has plenty of time to recover from last year's assortment of injuries and still figures to take the first snap at training camp, but he'll likely have to play out the final season of his rookie contract without an extension.

Coach Frank Reich envisions Mack and Jonathan Taylor as a "one-two punch" in the backfield, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor's combination of talent and draft capital makes him the favorite to emerge with the lead role sooner than later, though custom dictates that it'll be Mack getting the first snap with the starting offense once the Colts are able to practice. Reich believes the two backs will complement each other, pointing to Mack's vision, acceleration and comfort level running outside zone, while Taylor earns praise for his size, speed and explosiveness. The idea of splitting work isn't unreasonable, but it becomes a real crunch with passing-down specialist Nyheim Hines also getting regular snaps. While the Colts seemingly still have a plan for Mack in the final year of his rookie contract, it won't come as any surprise if his role is eventually minimized.

Ward has signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

During four seasons at Central Michigan, Ward had an up-and-down career, reaching 1,000 rushing yards in both 2017 and 2019 while combining for 412 yards on the ground in 2016 and 2018. Issues with fumbles -- he had seven in his last two seasons, losing six -- and pass protection seem to be to blame, but Ward does bring versatility as a pass catcher to the pro ranks, posting 98 receptions for 909 yards in 42 games. He'll seemingly compete with D.J. Foster for what could be the final RB spot on the Cardinals' roster.