NFL Player News

Mostert is expected to start at running back for the 49ers in the team's second preseason game Saturday in Houston, Matt Barrows of The Athletic Bay Area reports.

San Francisco's No. 2 running back, Matt Breida, is out for the rest of the preseason due to a separated shoulder he sustained in the preseason opener, while starter Jerick McKinnon is considered week-to-week after straining his calf in Sunday's practice. That leaves Mostert as the next man up, though Joe Williams and Jeremy McNichols also figure to get opportunities.. Mostert averaged 5.0 yards per carry in a limited role with the 49ers last season and then continued his impressive play during last Thursday's exhibition, rushing eight times for 57 yards (7.1 YPC). Even if he falls back to No. 3 on the depth chart before Week 1 rolls around, Mostert is someone to keep an eye on given the two-back system coach Kyle Shanahan is expected to deploy.

Oliver signed with the Colts on Sunday.

Oliver has spent his entire career up to this point with the Chargers, taking 226 carries for 773 yards and three touchdowns in 30 games, with 55 catches for 409 yards and another score. The 27-year-old faces an uphill battle to make the Indianapolis roster, as Marlon Mack and Robert Turbin both showed value last year, and the team dedicated two picks in this year's draft to acquire running backs Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins.

McKinnon is dealing with a right calf strain, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

McKinnon was removed from Sunday's practice with what was thought to be a knee injury, and he then spent the rest of the day watching from the sidelines. However, a recent MRI apparently showed the running back sustained no structural or nerve damage, so a long-term absence seems unlikely. The 49ers will reportedly give McKinnon a week of rest and then re-evaluate his situation next week.

McKinnon has been diagnosed with "a muscle strain," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The results of the MRI are in, and McKinnon has dodged a bullet with his potential knee injury. With no structural damage evident, he may be absent from practice in the short term but won't be joining backfield mate Matt Breida (shoulder) in the recovery room for a lengthy spell. Only time will tell whether McKinnon will be ready for Saturday's preseason game in Houston.

Fowler was waived by the Seahawks on Sunday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Fowler's release leaves Tre Madden as the only remaining fullback on Seattle's roster. Fowler will look to find a role with another team before training camp concludes.

Conner suffered a groin injury at Sunday's practice, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.

While the Steelers await the return of Le'Veon Bell, Conner is acting as the top running back in the Steel City. Conner proved as much during Thursday's preseason game in Philadelphia, where he ran four times for 35 yards and hauled in a nine-yard reception. If Conner needs some time on the mend, rookie Jaylen Samuels is on hand to cover for him, with Fitzgerald Toussaint and Steven Ridley the next two in line.

McKinnon will undergo an MRI on his right knee, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

McKinnon left Sunday's practice with what was believed to be a knee injury, only for the 49ers to confirm as much afterward. While the MRI may be a precautionary measure, the team likely is sitting on pins and needles just three days removed from losing backup running back Matt Breida (shoulder) for the rest of the preseason. If McKinnon also requires a stint away from the field, Raheem Mostert, Joe Williams, Jeremy McNichols and Jeffery Wilson represent the team's remaining healthy backfield options.

Elliot said he'll likely play the first possession of the Cowboys' third preseason game Sunday, Aug. 26 against the Cardinals, Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

In essence, Elliot expects to replicate his exhibition workload from a season ago. The decision comes down to one of health as he prepares to handle a massive workload for the third consecutive season. In the first two, he averaged 23.6 and 26.8 touches per game, so his bell-cow status really isn't in question.

McKinnon was removed from Sunday's practice due to a possible knee injury, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

McKinnon watched the remaining drills and wasn't being looked at by the 49ers' medical team, but the issue will be one to watch with one running back (Matt Breida) already out of commission for awhile due to a shoulder separation.

Jones (hamstring) participated in practice Sunday, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Absent from practice for more than two weeks due to a hamstring injury, Jones appears ready to reenter the battle for backfield touches. While he'll miss the first two games of the season due to a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, he'll be a part of a committee, at least, with Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery once Week 3 of the regular season rolls around.