NFL Player News

Mixon was forced to exit Thursday's practice early after injuring his left foot during team drills, Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mixon limped to the sideline as trainers proceeded to examine the running back's left foot, and he was ultimately unable to return to the practice field. He was able to watch the rest of practice while icing the ankle area, however, so he may have avoided a severe injury as there wasn't an immediate need to rush him away on a cart. The seriousness of his injury is unclear at this point, but Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard figure to split first-team reps with Mixon sidelined.

Kelley (neck) is on track to remain Washington's starting running back, according to Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post.

Supporting that notion is that Kelley, who has experienced neck soreness this week, has been the first running back to garner carries with the first-team offense, when healthy. Tesfatsion notes that Chris Thompson is set to retain his third-down role with the team, but suggests that when it comes to early-down work, Kelley should initially get most of the carries, though coach Jay Gruden may also be inclined to roll with the "hot hand" between Kelley and and promising rookie Samaje Perine. Some form of time-share out of the gate thus appears likely, and while it's trending toward tilting in Kelley's favor to start the season, Perine continues to present a challenge on that front.

Hightower has looked good through the first week of training camp, but Carlos Hyde also has impressed and is putting himself in good position to retain the starting job, Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports.

Of the three players competing for serious roles, rookie Joe Williams apparently is the only one struggling. Meanwhile, Hyde seems to be back at full strength and taking a liking to coach Kyle Shanahan's scheme, but the fourth-year back doesn't have a strong record as a pass catcher, which should help Hightower in his own bid for a major role. As things stand, Hightower is the favorite for the No. 2 job and also for the role as the primary passing-down back. Williams does still have plenty of time to push for work with the start of the preseason a week away.

Williams is off to a slow start at training camp, struggling to secure the ball and learn the 49ers' offensive system, Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports.

Meanwhile, veterans Carlos Hyde and Tim Hightower reportedly have both looked comfortable in coach Kyle Shanahan's zone-blocking scheme. Williams still has plenty of time to prove himself and earn a role, but it does seem Hyde is doing his best to respond to GM John Lynch, who openly questioned the fourth-year back's fit in the new scheme during the offseason. This backfield still bears close watching, as the team's offseason moves hint at a desire to utilize two or three backs on a weekly basis.

Vereen (lower leg) is working off to the side at Thursday's practice, Newsday's Art Stapleton reports.

Vereen will miss a third straight practice, but his ability to do some individual work suggests his lower leg injury isn't serious. He's slated for his usual role as the passing-down back, after missing most of last season with a triceps injury.

Lions running backs coach David Walker said Washington has "done a 180" after inconsistent play landed him on the bench as a rookie, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Washington was thrust into a significant role as soon as Week 3 of his rookie season last year, matching Theo Riddick for the team lead with 10 carries in a game against the Packers. Of the two, Washington was the more productive, rushing for 38 yards compared to nine for Riddick. However, after that, Washington struggled with the rigors and the speed of the professional game and was ultimately relegated to a special-teams role. With his first full offseason training program under his belt, Washington should be more prepared for action if injuries strike the Lions' lead runners again. He certainly has the physical tools -- 6-foot-2, 226 pounds with a 4.44 40, 21 reps in the bench press, 37-inch vertical and 127-inch broad jump. Moreover, Washington played WR in high school and converted to running back in college, when he received only 223 attempts over three years. There's room to grow for Washington, and if he can capitalize on his physical talent, he might wrest the No. 3 RB job away from Zach Zenner.

McNichols' workload is increasing as camp unfolds, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The rookie is getting rave reviews for his hands, unsurprising given that he compiled 103 receptions and 11 receiving touchdowns at Boise State. However, McNichols is starting to get more work in the ground game as well, and has proven to be a patient runner who waits on his blocks and is a load to bring down. The 21-year-old's excellent hands and similar all-around skill set to Doug Martin could certainly pave the way for a solid allotment of playing time while the latter finishes his suspension in September, as well as for the balance of the campaign if McNichols proves too effective to keep off the field.

Conner has been diagnosed with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. "Appears to be minor - days," head coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday.

Conner injured his shoulder at Monday's practice, and what was expected to be a short stay on the sideline was confirmed by both player and coach Wednesday. While he rehabs the ailment and Le'Veon Bell remains away from training camp, Knile Davis and Fitzgerald Toussaint represent the most experienced options in the RB room.

Vereen didn't practice Wednesday due to "lower leg soreness," Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

What was deemed a "lower-body" injury Tuesday has been clarified as a sore lower leg, but the key here is Vereen taking a seat for a second straight day. On a positive note, he worked on the side with trainers, per James Kratch of NJ.com, so he may be approaching an appearance on the practice field soon. Once healthy, Vereen will be the primary pass catcher out of the Giants backfield.

Williams is the most likely among Green Bay's three rookie running backs to push Ty Montgomery for snaps, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports.

Offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett said Williams has already earned some first-team work at training camp because of his ability in pass protection, which seems to be the Packers' biggest concern when it comes to Montgomery. The converted wideout produced 5.9 yards per carry last season and is unsurprisingly one of the most dangerous receiving backs in the league, but he still doesn't have much experience as a pass blocker. The Packers were hoping they'd get help in that department from one of their three draft picks, and it seems the first of those, Williams, has made the strongest impression early on. The fourth-rounder will still have to fend off fifth-round pick Aaron Jones and seventh-rounder DeVante Mays. Jones is regarded as the best pass catcher of the bunch, while Mays had the best workout numbers and arguably possesses the most long-term upside as a pure runner.