NFL Player News

Conner (hamstring) figures to handle an increased workload in training camp until Le'Veon Bell reports to the team, ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler reports.

Conner missed most of the offseason program with a pulled hamstring, but there's been nothing to suggest the issue will linger into training camp, where the third-round selection figures to split first-team reps with Knile Davis and Fitzgerald Toussaint. With his veteran competitors both sporting unimpressive track records, Conner is the early favorite to win the No. 2 job, which would make him one of the more valuable handcuffs in the league. The 230-pounder only caught 30 passes in 39 college games, but 21 of those receptions occurred last season, helping explain why the Steelers believe he can develop into something more than an early-down thumper. DeAngelo Williams was never known for his receiving ability before he landed in Pittsburgh, yet he still produced as an RB1 on those occasions when Bell was unavailable the past two seasons.

Wilds was waived by the Jets on Thursday, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports.

As a rookie in 2016, Wilds carried the ball ten times for a total of 27 yards. He'll look to find a role as a depth running back elsewhere now that he's been waived.

Draughn will open training camp on the PUP list due to an ankle injury, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York.

The severity of Draughn's setback is not certain, but it will prevent him from taking part in workouts as training camp gets underway. When Draughn is healthy enough to get back on the field, he will compete for a reserve running back spot.

Foreman talked about his recent arrest when he addressed reporters after the Texans' first practice Wednesday, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Foreman feels he'll be exonerated once details emerge in the case, in which he was charged with possession of marijuana and an unlawful handgun, but also acknowledged learning "there are certain things and people I can't always involve myself with." The rookie is in position to be the Texans No. 2 back, but the incident has head coach Bill O'Brien keeping a closer eye on him. "He's a very talented guy, but he's young, and he's learning. He's got to learn what pro football's all about, what it means to be a Houston Texan relative to playing football, practicing and meeting. We're going to work closely with him," the coach said.

Smith (undisclosed) was activated from the physically unable to perform list Wednesday.

Smith signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent, so he certainly has some work to do in training camp in order to make the final roster. Thus, his activation from the PUP list was necessary if he hopes to obtain that goal. The running back is currently pretty far down on the depth chart but will attempt to turn some heads as training camp progresses.

West has a stronger grip on the lead job after Kenneth Dixon (knee/suspension) underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus, Sarah Ellison of the Ravens' official website reports.

Dixon took a big chunk out of West's workload down the stretch last season and loomed as a major threat to do the same upon returning from a four-game suspension this season. With the second-year back expected to miss most (or all) of the upcoming campaign, Danny Woodhead represents West's only serious competition for snaps and touches, as Javorius Allen, Bobby Rainey and Taquan Mizzell don't seem like real threats to challenge for the lead ball carrier role.

McNichols has recovered from offseason shoulder surgery and will be a full participant at the start of training camp, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

McNichols has reported to the Buccaneers' facility and passed his physical, making him available immediately for the start of training camp. The Boise State product slipped to the fifth round of the draft due to concerns with his surgically repaired shoulder, but it appears he'll be at full health when competing against Doug Martin (suspension), Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers for playing time out of the backfield.

Pumphrey is emerging as a favorite target for his quarterbacks early in training camp,Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Philadelphia's fourth-round pick in this year's draft has been beating linebackers out of the backfield and has not dropped a pass in camp so far, per McLane. While things could change once the pads are on, Pumphrey seems poised to carve out a role for himself in the Eagles' offense if he keeps this up.

Taliaferro has been moved to fullback, which helps his chances of breaking camp on the Ravens' 53-man roster, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Kyle Juszczyk's departure this offseason left Baltimore with a hole at fullback, but Taliaferro (6-foot, 225 pounds) is a logical replacement at the position given his size and backfield experience. Still, a move to fullback negates much of Taliaferro's fantasy value as he's never shown to have the pass catching acumen that Juszczyk brought to the fullback spot. Hensley adds that Taliaferro will have to beat out Ricky Ortiz to lock up what will likely be the only fullback spot available on the roster.

Perine enters training camp behind Robert Kelley on the Redskins' depth chart at running back, but the team's intention to roll with the "hot hand" in dividing carries could at times earn the rookie a substantial workload, Stephen Czarda of the Redskins' official site reports.

Perine, who was drafted in the fourth round this spring after finishing his college career as Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher, should have ample opportunity during camp to make a run at unseating Kelley for the top spot on the depth chart. Beyond Perine, none of the remaining backs the Redskins have on hand look like viable challengers to the starting role, as Chris Thompson is more of a pass-catching threat and Matt Jones was wildly disappointing in 2017 and could be on the outs for a roster spot. Fortunately for Perine, if he gets going in a given game, the Redskins are prepared to reward him with more touches, which would inevitably boost his fantasy stock. In the meantime, though, the rookie will aim to gain more familiarity with Washington's offense as camp begins.