NFL Player News

Hightower was seen trying out for the Saints during their minicamp Tuesday, Nick Underhill of The Baton Rouge Advocate reports.

With starting running back Mark Ingram out for the first four games of the regular season due to a suspension, the Saints may be looking to bring in a veteran tailback to help shoulder the workload. Hightower last played in the NFL in 2016 for New Orleans, where he appeared in all 16 games and rushed for 548 yards and four touchdowns. The Saints are also bringing in Jamaal Charles on Wednesday for a potential tryout.

Cook (knee) participated in team drills Tuesday, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Cook's return to team drills marks a big step in his recovery after he initially only worked in individual drills during OTAs. He's expected to be ready to contribute by the time training camp rolls around, and Tuesday's progression certainly puts him on that path. Assuming Cook returns to full speed to begin the 2018 campaign, he should lead the Vikings' backfield again, with Latavius Murray serving in an ancillary role.

Grant is likely to see an increased workload for the Jaguars in 2018, although his role may remain undefined until training camp, Mike Kaye of FirstCoastNews.com reports.

The release of veteran Chris Ivory this offseason leaves the Jaguars without their primary No. 2 running back from the 2017 season. T.J. Yeldon should be the main beneficiary from Ivory's departure, but Grant also should absorb some of the snaps that don't fall to lead back Leonard Fournette. In limited touches a season ago, Grant demonstrated some big-play ability, totaling 248 yards on only 30 carries (8.3 average). With Yeldon likely to occupy a third-down role for Jacksonville due to his aptitude as a pass blocker, Grant could serve as a change-of-pace option. Training camp should provide more insight into both players' outlooks, and if Grant can showcase improved pass protection, it would go a long way towards securing more responsibilities on offense.

Jones (knee) was on the field for the first round for OTAs, Mike Spofford of Packers.com reports.

Jones missed Week 17 of his rookie season with an MCL sprain, but there hasn't been any suggestion the injury impacted his offseason preparation. With Ty Montgomery also taking the field last week, the Packers appear to have all their running backs healthy as they begin the process to sort out roles. Jamaal Williams is also in the mix, though he and Montgomery both fell shy of four yards per carry last season, whereas Jones averaged 5.5 on 81 totes. Jones may face a fine or suspension from the NFL for an October incident in which he was cited for driving under the influence of marijuana.

Conner (knee) has been practicing at OTAs, ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler reports.

A third-round pick last year, Conner was limited to 32 carries for 144 yards while rarely seeing the field behind Le'Veon Bell, with Conner's season coming to an end Week 15 when he suffered an MCL injury. Seemingly back at full strength, Conner figures to be in the mix for first-team reps throughout OTAs and June minicamp, as Bell isn't expected to join the team until the end of the preseason unless he signs a contract extension. The second-year back is competing with Jaylen Samuels, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Stevan Ridley and a couple undrafted rookies.

ESPN's Mike Reiss views Patterson as a roster lock "because of his value as a kickoff returner and gunner."

At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Patterson adds size to the Patriots' wideout corps, but how much of a role he ends up carving out in the offense has yet to be determined. The 2013 first-rounder is off the fantasy radar for now, but beyond the fact that Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan top the team's depth chart, not much is set. Patterson will thus contend for slotting with the likes of Jordan Matthews, Malcolm Mitchell (knee), Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt and Braxton Berrios.

Gillislee "did not appear to be as quick or fluid" as most of the Patriots' other running backs during positional work in the team's current voluntary OTAs, Paul Perillo of the team's official site reports.

There's time for Gillislee to pick up the pace, but his outlook with the Patriots has changed quite a bit since last spring when he was signed to replace LeGarrette Blount as the team's "big back." His projected assignment appeared to carry TD-upside with it, but after a strong start, things fizzled out for Gillislee in 2017. He's fighting for a roster spot at this stage, with Brandon Bolden, Jeremy Hill and undrafted free agent Ralph Webb also battling for slotting behind roster locks Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead and James White.

Green (undisclosed) agreed to an injury settlement and was waived from the Bills' injured reserve list Tuesday.

It still isn't clear what sort of injury Green is dealing with. In any case, he'll now become a free agent, assuming he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Cook (knee) went through individual drills on the rehab field during Wednesday's practice, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports. "I think he'll probably get some work [during OTAs and minicamp] and then should be ready to roll for training camp," Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said.

It was recently reported that Cook remains ahead of schedule in his rehab from a torn ACL, and his ability to take the field for individual drills Wednesday only provides further optimism on that front. It sounds like he'll remain limited throughout offseason workouts, but once training camp rolls around Cook should be cleared for full participation. Of course, the Vikings will likely be as cautious as possible with their top running back, so Cook could get days off here and there. All that said, fantasy owners can likely expect Cook to be back to full speed for the start of the upcoming season, barring any setbacks in camp or the preseason.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Sunday that Cook (knee) remains ahead of schedule, noting that the running back likely will get some work in OTAs this week but still figures to have limitations until training camp, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.

Given that Cook suffered an ACL tear Week 4 last year, there was never much chance he'd be cleared for all activities prior to training camp. He still seems to be on track for the best-case scenario, which involves limited participation throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp, followed by full clearance for the start of training camp in late July. With any luck, reports in the coming weeks will elaborate on the extent of Cook's involvement during OTAs. Barring any major setbacks, he should be headed for a workload similar to the one he handled last September, when he piled up 61 carries and 10 catches in his three healthy games.