NFL Player News

Thompson is among the running backs vying for backup duties behind projected starter Damien Williams (hamstring), Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Thompson has received some sleeper hype this offseason, but in order for him to even slide into the No. 2 role, he would need to outperform Carlos Hyde and Darrel Williams, who were both listed ahead of him on the Chiefs' initial unofficial depth chart. The rookie out of Utah State hauled in 23 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 153 carries for 1,044 yards and 14 scores in his final season of college.

Williams remains a candidate for the top backup duties behind Damien Williams (hamstring), Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Darrel rushed just 13 times all of last season, but he's seen plenty of reps in fall camp while Damien has been on the sidelines. The former Williams could gain some marginal fantasy value should he secure the backup spot and has proven he can offer some utility in the passing game as well, notching 23 receptions as a senior at LSU in 2017.

Snell is listed behind James Conner and Jaylen Samuels at running back on the Steelers' initial unofficial depth chart of 2019.

Per Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, the rookie fourth-round pick is "is a hard runner and a little quicker than expected, but [Snell is] a rookie out there making rookie mistakes." That's the sort of mixed review not uncommon for first-year players, but at 5-foot-10 and 224 pounds, Snell is the kind of power back who could make an impact as the season rolls along if either of the players ahead of him on the depth chart miss time. He's therefore among the group of rookie backs worthy of a late-round dart in fantasy drafts or as a late flyer in auctions, given how fluid NFL backfields can been once injuries hit.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Tuesday he doesn't expect the team to sign Elliott before training camp ends, Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News reports. "I don't see anything happening. I don't see any momentum," Jones said.

The reigning NFL rushing champ has indicated he won't report without a new contract, but even after camp ends Elliott would still have time to join the team and be ready for Week 1, as he's been staying in shape while holding out. There have been conflicting reports about the value of the Cowboys' latest offer to Elliott, but it likely lies somewhere between the deal Todd Gurley signed in 2018 that included a whopping $45 million in guaranteed money, and the contract Le'Veon Bell received from the Jets in March ($27 million guaranteed).

Williams (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of The Kansas City Star reports. The running back didn't see any involvement in team drills, however, and was instead limited to individual work, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.com.

Even though he wasn't a full participant Wednesday, his presence in any capacity was a positive sign after he had been off the field since tweaking his hamstring during a July 28 session. He'll have plenty of time to ease himself into team drills in advance of the Chiefs' Week 1 game Sept. 8 versus Jacksonville, but Williams' preseason workload could be limited as he works back from the injury. Coach Andy Reid has already labeled Williams as the team's starting running back, though veteran Carlos Hyde may capture a decent-sized complementary role in the offense with a strong showing in the preseason or in the event Williams isn't 100 percent once the regular season arrives.

McKinnon (knee) took part in individual drills in his return to practice Tuesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Activated from the PUP list, McKinnon was able to practice for the first time since tearing his right ACL last Sept. 1. If not for what GM John Lynch called a "flareup" in the knee prior to training camp, McKinnon may have been active in a session before Tuesday's. As expected, McKinnon won't progress to team drills just yet as the 49ers ease him in with the aim of avoiding a setback, per coach Kyle Shanahan. Notably, McKinnon didn't wear a brace on the knee in question, according to Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. As a result, McKinnon may not be far away from a full practice and potentially even some game action before Week 1.

The Packers claimed Ford off waivers Tuesday.

Ford may just be a healthy body to add to the mix during practice, considering the Packers have four running backs on their roster currently dealing with injury. The 25-year-old does have some NFL experience under his belt, however, suiting up in two games with the Bills in 2018.

Abdullah is listed as the No. 3 running back and both the primary punt and kick returner on Minnesota's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason.

Abdullah is competing with Mike Boone and De'Angelo Henderson for the No. 3 role behind starter Dalvin Cook and backup Alexander Mattison. The Vikings could keep just three running backs on the roster, so Abdullah's role on special teams could help him make the roster. Abdullah may not end up winning the punt return job over Chad Beebe, but he looks set to begin the season as the kickoff returner.

Mattison is listed as the No. 2 running back on Minnesota's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason.

Mattison was a 2019 third-round draft pick and was widely expected to become the backup to starter Dalvin Cook. Fantasy owners should be more confident in his backup role if he's already No. 2 on the depth chart this early in camp ahead of veterans Ameer Abdullah, Mike Boone and De'Angelo Henderson. Mattison could also emerge as the primary goal-line back.

McKinnon (knee) has been removed from the 49ers' PUP list, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Per the report, McKinnon -- who tore his ACL back on Sept. 1 last year -- is expected to be eased into practices slowly and may be restricted to walkthroughs out of the gate. Once he amps things up in the coming weeks, McKinnon is slated to compete for touches with fellow backs Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman.