NFL Player News

The Buccaneers placed Sims on injured reserve Thursday.

After injuring his left knee in Saturday's preseason game at Tennessee, Sims wasn't believed to be dealing with a serious concern, but Thursday's roster move indicates otherwise. Thus, his fifth professional campaign is over before it can even start. The development makes the backfield easier to parse out for Week 1 and beyond. Peyton Barber is the likely starter, with rookie Ronald Jones II and Jacquizz Rodgers providing support. Meanwhile, the fourth and final spot may come down to roster cuts on Sept. 1, but undrafted free agent Shaun Wilson may be closing in on a job as well.

Mack (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, Zak Keefer of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Mack hasn't practiced since suffering a hamstring strain in the first week of the preseason. He'll likely be held out of Saturday's exhibition against San Francisco, and the Colts presumably wouldn't play him in the preseason finale even if he were healthy enough to suit up. Mack is still the favorite for the Week 1 starting job and still has time to get ready for the opener, but it isn't a great sign that he's missing out on so many practice reps after sitting out the entire offseason program while recovering from shoulder surgery. With Nyheim Hines struggling will ball protection and Robert Turbin suspended for the first four weeks of the season, Indianapolis may have to lean on Jordan Wilkins and Christine Michael if Mack doesn't progress as expected over the next two and a half weeks.

Barkley relayed Wednesday that his hamstring "feels pretty good." "I've been moving pretty well," Barkley said after practicing Wednesday in a limited fashion. "I don't want any setbacks at all and that's why I'm following the game plan."

The game plan Barkley refers to likely means that he'll be held out of Friday's preseason game against the Jets for precautionary purposes while he eases back in from the strained left hamstring. The rookie's Week 1 availability doesn't appear to be in any danger.

Watson signed with the Chargers on Wednesday, Ricky Henne of the team's official site reports.

Watson spent the 2017 season with Pittsburgh and saw time in 10 games. Should Watson make the 53-man roster, his greatest impact will likely come on special teams. The Chargers are more than comfortable with Melvin Gordon carrying the load in 2018.

Green re-signed with the Colts on Wednesday, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

Green was brought back Wednesday following the release of Josh Ferguson (groin). Green still faces an uphill battle in terms of earning a spot on the 53-man roster, but he'll now at least have a fighting chance.

Drake and Frank Gore are both expected to have major roles in the Miami offense when the regular season begins, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Salguero even suggests that the Dolphins might start Gore, who is listed alongside Drake as a co-starter on the team's preseason depth chart. It's hard to imagine the 35-year-old Gore getting more touches than a 24-year-old who finished last season with 594 scrimmage yards in his final five games, but there is real reason to be concerned about how the former could impact the latter's workload. Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore may provide a small hint about how snaps and touches will be divided during the regular season.

Barkley (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity, taking part in individuals drills, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Barkley did some conditioning work on a side field Monday and now seems to be taking another step forward. The Giants likely will hold him out of Friday's preseason game against the Jets, but there doesn't seem to be much concern about his availability for Week 1. The next step for the No. 2 overall pick is a return to team drills in practice.

Smith signed a contract with the Redskins on Monday, Jake Kring-Schreifels of the team's official site reports.

Smith's signing was overshadowed by Adrian Peterson inking a one-year deal with Washington as well. Smith, who had zero rushes and three catches for 27 yards in five games for the Dolphins in 2017, was brought in as preseason depth but is a long shot to make the team.

Pumphrey (hamstring) is expected to return to practice this weekend, Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Pumphrey indicated he is back to "100 percent" health, but that remains to be seen. However, assuming an absence of setbacks, he plans on participating once practice resumes after this coming Thursday's exhibition against the Browns. The 23-year-old is competing against Wendell Smallwood and Josh Adams (foot) for a potential No. 4 running back role.

Thomas (undisclosed) sat out of Tuesday's practice, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Friday's preseason game against the Seahawks may be the final stage of Thomas' competition against Mike Boone for the No. 3 RB job. The nature of Thomas' injury is unclear, however, so it's tough to declare he'll be ready for the test. Thomas has shined with a diverse skill set thus far this preseason, rushing the ball 13 times for 54 yards and catching three balls for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a pair of exhibitions.