NFL Player News

Sanders is yet to participate in OTAs due to an undisclosed injury, Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Sanders was present last week but remained on the sideline, and now the rookie tailback is completely absent as the team kicks off the second week of voluntary practices. It's definitely a situation worth monitoring, as Sanders was drafted in the second round by the Eagles and has a chance to play a key role in the team's backfield this season.

Jones has been impressive as both a runner and receiver during the first two weeks of OTAs, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Perhaps no player on the offense has more to prove than Jones, who fell disastrously short of expectations as a 2018 second-round selection. His offseason got off to a positive start off the field with an early endorsement from new coach Bruce Arians, and the second-year back has validated the vote of confidence over the first two weeks of on-field work. On Thursday, Jones looked particularly elusive after bringing in passes, according to Vitali. Plus, Jones also earned praise from Arians after last Tuesday's session. While Peyton Barber still sits atop the depth chart and there's talk of getting him more involved in the passing game as well, Jones possesses a much more dynamic skill set that could potentially earn him significant playing time if it translates to the regular season.

Kelley worked out for the Saints on Thursday, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Kelley was brought in along with two other running backs in ex-Raven Javorius Allen and former Panther Fozzy Whittaker. New Orleans may simply just want to see where these veterans are at, but this tryout could also be a sign that the organization initially feels uncomfortable with its backfield depth in the wake of the draft and first couple waves of free agency. None of these players, if signed, would threaten Latavius Murray's standing as the No. 2 option behind Alvin Kamara, but there's at least a chance one of them could potentially make a case for the No. 3 job.

Bawden (knee) isn't participating in the opening week of OTAs, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

Bawden is recovering from a torn ACL that kept him on injured reserve for the entire 2018 season. Running back Mark Thompson, tight end Logan Thomas and tight end Jerome Cunningham filled in at fullback in Bawden's absence Tuesday.

Mostert had to undergo another procedure to repair his broken forearm and will be out an additional month, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mostert has been recovering from season-ending surgery on his broken right forearm since early November, and a second procedure will now delay his return to the practice field. It's unclear exactly when that return will be, but the absence will certainly hurt Mostert's already slim chances of getting many touches in a crowded San Francisco backfield this season. He signed a three-year contract in March, getting a nice reward for his consistent work on special teams.

Breida suffered a slightly torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The injury isn't believed to be too serious, but Breida still will be held out of all workouts until the start of training camp, when he is expected to be cleared. Breida should have a significant role in the 49ers backfield this season alongside Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon (knee).

Elliott was detained but eventually released without charge Sunday morning at a music festival in Las Vegas, NFL.com reports.

For a player that has served a six-game suspension due to violations of the personal conduct policy, Elliott likely will be scrutinized by the NFL for this incident with a security guard. That said, it appears to be minor in nature, as evidenced by team president Stephen Jones telling Todd Archer of ESPN.com that the incident won't affect negotiations with the running back on a long-term deal. One of a handful of Cowboys approaching the end of their rookie contracts, Elliott has racked up 5,247 yards from scrimmage and 34 touchdowns on 1,003 touches in 40 career games.

Anderson (knee) expects to be 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp, Fletcher Page of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Coach Zac Taylor didn't sound quite as confident, simply noting that the Bengals will see where Anderson is at when training camp rolls around. The rookie sixth-round pick will be held out of spring practices while he recovers from the torn ACL he suffered in early September. The typical timeline from an ACL rehab would seem to put him on track for Week 1, but it's worth noting that Anderson suffered two other season-ending injuries during his time at Oklahoma. It also isn't clear if there's any backfield role available in the Cincinnati offense, as Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard are locked in atop the depth chart. The Bengals might consider stashing Anderson on the PUP list or injured reserve even if his recovery moves along on schedule.

Gillislee worked out for the Jaguars on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Jacksonville backfield behind Leonard Fournette doesn't inspire much confidence, with Alfred Blue, Benny Cunningham, Thomas Rawls and fifth-round pick Ryquell Armstead currently set to duke it out for backup work. Gillislee was released by the Patriots and then Saints early last season, ultimately finishing 2018 with 16 carries for 43 yards in four games. The 28-year-old fell out of New England's backfield rotation midway through the 2017 campaign, but he did produce eight rushing touchdowns and 5.7 yards per carry in Buffalo the year prior.

The 49ers told Breida that he, Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon (knee) will all have significant roles in the 2019 offense, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "They've said, 'Hey, we're going to use all you guys,'" Breida said. "All three of us are going to be used a lot. I don't want to give away any secrets, but we're all going to be used."

The signing of Coleman seemed a bit odd with McKinnon coming back from a torn ACL and Breida coming off a season with 5.3 yards per carry. Coach Kyle Shanahan does tend to create a lot of touches for his running backs, and none of the bunch has ever handled a workhorse role for more than a few weeks at a time. Breida also noted that the ankle injury he played through last season didn't really affect his straight-line speed but had a major impact on his cutting ability. He missed two games and was listed as questionable for six others, yet still finished fourth in YPC and eighth among RBs with 9.7 yards per reception (20-catch min.). Breida doesn't sound concerned about the troublesome ankle impacting his preparation for 2019.