NFL Player News

Elliott looks quicker and leaner at training camp this year, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. "You go at this time last year, he's very stressed out," Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown said. "Wasn't himself. Looked big. Now he looks happy and jubilant and lean and just going out there and having some fun. So it's a completely different Zeke than it was last year."

Elliott reported to training camp last year a bit over his usual playing weight, perhaps showing signs of stress from an offseason marked by unfavorable TMZ reports and the looming threat of a suspension. He was still productive once the season began, though his stat line was more a product of volume than efficiency, as he dropped from 5.1 yards per carry as a rookie to 4.1 in 2017. The 23-year-old had a quiet offseason this time around, and his conditioning will be of the utmost importance for a Dallas offense that lost top targets Jason Witten and Dez Bryant during the offseason. In addition to his usual massive workload on the ground, Elliott may need to pick up more slack in the passing game. He owns career averages of 22.6 carries, 2.3 catches and 129.8 scrimmage yards per game, with 25 total touchdowns in 25 appearances.

Kelley is making a good impression on head coach Jay Gruden early in training camp, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Gruden said he isn't sure how many running backs he'll carry on the 53-man roster, adding that he might want to see if Kelley or Samaje Perine can play fullback. With Perine, Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson (leg) all expected to make the team, Kelley may end up competing for one spot with Kapri Bibbs, Byron Marshall and Martez Carter. While it sounds as if he has the early advantage, Kelley still isn't a lock to make the team.

Breida has made an early impact in camp and has received reps with the 49ers' top offensive unit, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Breida was expected to take a back seat to Jerick McKinnon following the latter's signing this past offseason. That could still become a reality, but the workload distribution early in camp points to a possible timeshare in the 49ers' backfield, as opposed to a situation where McKinnon's four-year, $30 million deal guarantees him the overwhelming share of touches. Breida rushed for 465 yards and two touchdowns on 105 carries while working as the primary backup to Carlos Hyde in 2017. Those numbers would prorate well during the upcoming season if the 22-year-old could secure a larger secondary role behind McKinnon.

McKinnon caught a pair of touchdowns from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Tuesday's 7-on-7 red-zone scrimmage, Joe Fann of the 49ers' official site reports.

McKinnon also secured several passes during full-team workouts, showing signs of chemistry in the passing game with the 49ers' franchise signal-caller. The running back set new career highs in receptions (51) and receiving yards (421) with the Vikings last season, but there is room for even more growth under head coach Kyle Shanahan, who has generally deployed his backs as dual threats. After inking a four-year deal with San Francisco this offseason, McKinnon should lead the team's backfield committee in 2018, but it's still unclear exactly how many touches per game he should expect to earn.

Mack has been the first running back to take reps with the starting offense at training camp practices, Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan reports.

This isn't to say Mack is dominating first-team reps, but rather that he's been the first player through the rotation, with Jordan Wilkins, Nyheim Hines and Robert Turbin (suspension) mixing in thereafter in some order. Mack had offseason surgery to repair the torn shoulder labrum he played through for most of his rookie campaign, returning at full strength for the start of training camp after missing the entire offseason program. He's a clear favorite for the Week 1 starting job in what should be a vastly improved Colts offense, but expectations should be kept in check unless new head coach Frank Reich deviates from his stated intention to deploy a committee in the backfield.

Thomas (knee) was waived/injured by the Jaguars on Tuesday, Mike Kaye of FirstCoastNews.com reports.

Thomas started training camp on the PUP and upon the waiving, offensive lineman Michael Dunn was signed to take Thomas' spot on the roster. Thomas will likely revert back to the Jaguars' injured reserve.

Wilkins has been mixing in with the starting offense at training camp, Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan reports.

Wilkins didn't seem like an NFL prospect at this time a year ago, but he worked his way into the fifth round of April's draft with a breakout senior season at Ole Miss, taking 155 carries for 1,011 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 26 catches for 241 yards and another score. He was fortunate to land with a Colts team that lacks a proven starter at running back -- a situation that's allowed Wilkins, Nyheim Hines and Robert Turbin (suspension) to mix in with the starting offense. Marlon Mack has been getting most of the first-team reps and remains the favorite for the Week 1 starting job, but Wilkins still has plenty of time to make his case for a role in what figures to be a committee backfield. Mack and Wilkins actually have a lot in common in terms of body type and running style, whereas Hines profiles as an undersized passing-down back and Turbin has mostly made his living as a short-yardage/goal-line specialist.

Marx was waived by the Falcons on Monday, Will McFadden of the team's official site reports.

The Falcons' fullback competition is apparently down one player with Marx heading out the door. Marx handled first-team reps during Sunday's practice in what amounted to a final attempt at gauging whether he was worthy of sticking around camp. The rookie is likely to get a tryout with another NFL team in relatively short order, considering he was integral to Bryce Love's monstrous 2,118 rushing yards at Stanford in 2017.

Jones (hamstring, suspension) expects to be back at practice by Thursday, Michael Cohen of The Athletic Wisconsin reports.

Jones confirmed his injury isn't serious, even saying he would be able to play in a game if the Packers had one Monday. He still has plenty of time to make his case for a role in what figures to be a committee backfield, after watching Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery handle most of the first-team work early in camp. Jones should be be busy during the preseason, but he'll start the regular season with a two-game suspension stemming from a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Cook (knee) will participate Monday in the Vikings' first session of training camp with pads, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

While the team is easing him back into action with limited reps, Cook hasn't been wearing a knee brace and doesn't seem to have any restrictions in terms of what type of work he's allowed to do. Wednesday will mark exactly 10 months since he suffered a torn ACL in Week 4 against the Lions.