NFL Player News

The 49ers placed McKinnon (knee) on injured reserve Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFLNetwork reports.

After tearing the ACL in his right knee Saturday, McKinnon was bound to land on IR. He'll now commence with rehab, allowing Alfred Morris and Matt Breida to churn out yards on the ground for the 49ers this season.

Barkley (hamstring) relayed Monday that he's 100 percent in advance of Sunday's season opener against the Jaguars, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

This narrative was expected, but it's still good to gain added confidence in the rookie back's Week 1 prospects after he dealt with a hamstring issue during the preseason. The next box for Barkley to check off relates to Wednesday's injury report. If he's deemed a full participant by the Giants, then it's all systems go for Barkley in Sunday's opener against the Jaguars. It's a contest that will provide an immediate test for the No. 2 overall pick in April's NFL Draft, considering the quality of Jacksonville's defense.

Summers was waived by the Steelers on Saturday.

Summers could be a practice squad candidate, but the East Carolina product has yet to play a single snap in the NFL. He racked up 869 yards and seven touchdowns on just 162 carries in 2016 as a senior.

Toussaint was released by the Steelers on Saturday.

Toussaint appeared in 27 games with the Steelers throughout the past three seasons, but logged no more than 46 offensive snaps during any of those campaigns. He visited the Colts on Sunday, but other teams could come calling for the veteran running back as well.

Conner's teammate, Le'Veon Bell, has yet to sign his franchise tender, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Conner logged the Steelers' first-team running back reps in training camp and the preseason and is thus in line to head the team's backfield until Bell returns to the mix. While this remains a fluid situation, Bell's absence from practice Monday puts Conner one step closer to either a start or a significant role Week 1.

Artis-Payne is among four running backs to make the Panthers' 53-man roster for the regular season.

Artis-Payne outlasted Kenjon Barner and the injured Fozzy Whittaker to make Carolina's team for the fourth straight year. Although Christian McCaffrey and C.J. Anderson sit ahead of him on the depth chart, Artis-Payne's career 4.3 yards per carry gives the team a nice third option. 2018 also marks the final year of Artis-Payne's rookie contract, providing him extra incentive to make his mark when called upon.

Watson was waived by the Chargers on Saturday, Ricky Henne of the team's official site reports.

Watson was unable to make the Chargers' 53-man roster as the team kept just four running backs. He'll look to catch on elsewhere, but a body of work consisting of 14 carries for 36 yards in 11 career games isn't too intriguing.

Mack (hamstring) wasn't spotted at practice Monday, Zak Keefer of The Indianapolis Star reports.

This nugget does nothing to change the perception that Mack's status for Sunday's game against the Bengals might come down to the wire. If he's unable to go, Jordan Wilkins profiles as the frontrunner to start at running back in his place Week 1.

Newsome earned a spot on the Chargers' 53-man roster, Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Newsome led the Chargers with 42 preseason carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns, marking the second consecutive year an undrafted rookie running back earned his way onto the Chargers roster. It's unclear where Newsome ranks in the depth chart, as along with Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler, the team also opted to keep 2018 seventh-round pick Justin Jackson, who missed three exhibition games with a hamstring injury. An injury to Gordon would likely open up a plethora of carries, but Newsome wouldn't automatically be the running back to own in that scenario, as Ekeler and Jackson would likely chip in on the workload as well.

Zenner (back) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Zenner injured his back during the Lions' preseason finale against the Browns and will miss the 2018 season as a result. The Lions kept four additional running backs on their 53-man roster in LeGarrette Blount, Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah.