NFL Player News

Jones reduced his body fat from more than 11 percent last season to 5.3 percent this offseason, adding muscle to maintain his playing weight of 205 pounds, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports.

These stories are a dime a dozen every spring, but we can at least give Jones credit for putting specific numbers to the "best shape of my life" narrative. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and QB Aaron Rodgers both commented on the running back's questionable conditioning earlier this offseason, with Rodgers referring to Jones as "the most athletic, fast guy with a little bit of a belly." The 24-year-old apparently got the message and cut candy out of his diet, hoping to improve his durability after suffering three MCL sprains in two seasons. Jones also mentioned that he expects to catch more passes and run more outside zone under new coach Matt LaFleur, who rose up the NFL ranks under Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. The Packers intend to create more chances for their backfield this season, though actual execution of the plan partially depends on the success of an offseason overhaul on defense. The team dropped back to pass on a league-high 71.5 percent of snaps last season, often choosing to abandon the run while playing from behind.

The Raiders waived Yuracheck on Wednesday with an injury designation.

It's not clear what injury Yurachek might have sustained during OTAs, but he'll revert to the Raiders' injured reserve list in the likely event he goes unclaimed by the league's other 31 teams off waivers.

The NFL likely will review a May 19 incident involving Elliott and a concert security guard, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reports.

Briefly handcuffed after bumping the security guard, Elliott ultimately wasn't arrested or charged with any crime. His history of league discipline could be a complicating factor, but Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said the incident won't impact the team's negotiations with the running back on a long-term contract. Dallas recently exercised its fifth-year option to keep Elliott under team control through 2020. The running back will turn 24 in July and appears headed for another busy campaign after the Cowboys declined to make backfield depth an offseason priority. Rod Smith was allowed to leave in free agency and was replaced by fourth-round pick Tony Pollard -- who was mostly a gadget player at Memphis -- and seventh-round pick Mike Weber.

Jacobs took some first-team reps during Tuesday's practice, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

The Raiders are easing Jacobs into practice after he dealt with a minor hamstring injury earlier in the month. It's unclear if the issue was related to the groin injury that he was reportedly dealing with during the pre-draft process, but either way, it doesn't seem to be a major concern at the moment. The 24th overall draft pick doesn't have much competition for the lead role in Oakland, though Jalen Richard is still around to handle passing-down snaps. Doug Martin may also mix in with the first-team offense, at least during offseason practices.

Sanders has been held out of OTAs with a strained hamstring, but he could return to practice as soon as Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Jordan Howard and Wendell Smallwood presumably have been getting the first-team backfield reps, as Corey Clement (knee) and Josh Adams (shoulder) also are recovering from injuries. It sounds like Sanders will be healthy long before the start of training camp, giving him plenty of time to compete for a Week 1 role on offense.

Dayes signed a contract with the Saints on Tuesday, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Dayes most recently appeared in seven games for the 49ers last season but didn't receive a single offensive touch. If Dayes does manage to make the Saints' final roster, it will likely be as a special teams player.

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.