NFL Player News

Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown expects Elliott to catch more passes this season, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Elliott easily led the league in carries (322) and rushing yards (1,631) as a rookie, but he only ranked 31st among running backs in targets (40), despite finishing third in yards per target (9.1) among the 50 backs that drew more than 25 looks. While he often stayed on the field for passing downs, the Cowboys simply didn't rely on their backfield much for pass-catching duties, with running backs accounting for only 79 of the team's 483 targets (16.4 percent). That share likely will rise closer to the league average of 18-20 percent, and with Lance Dunbar no longer on the roster, Elliott unquestionably is the Cowboys' best option for passing downs. While still unlikely to match the kind of receiving workloads David Johnson and Le'Veon Bell handle, Elliott should push to finish among the top 10 at his position in both carries and targets.

Conner (hamstring) didn't practice much during the offseason program, PennLive.com's Jacob Klinger reports.

Conner pulled a hamstring during rookie minicamp in mid-May and still wasn't back to full strength when mandatory minicamp wrapped up in mid-June. With Le'Veon Bell (groin) also unavailable throughout the offseason, uninspiring veterans Fitzgerald Toussaint and Knile Davis likely handled most of the first- and second-team reps. Assuming he's healthy for training camp, Conner is still the favorite to serve as Bell's primary backup, with his status as a third-round selection (No. 105) ensuring of him a roster spot at the very least.

Foreman signed a four-year contract with the Texans on Saturday, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Foreman is the last of Houston's draft picks to sign. The deal is reportedly worth more than $3 million per year.

Zenner could still have a role on offense despite the return of a healthy Ameer Abdullah, Mike O'Hara of the Lions' official site reports. "I see consistent progress and improvement with [Zenner]," head coach Jim Caldwell said. "I don't think anybody has any question, if you watched him progress last year, that Zach can run the ball. But he's also a guy that's very talented in terms of being able to help us on special teams. He can run the ball. He can pass protect. He can catch the ball out of the backfield."

Late last leason, after a fractured foot landed Abdullah on injured reserve with a foot injury and while Theo Riddick was on the shelf due to a pair of problematic wrists, Zenner took over lead running back duties from a struggling Dwayne Washington and aided the Lions' quest for a playoff berth by rumbling for 290 total yards and three touchdowns during the season's final three games. His average of 3.8 yards per carry was heavily skewed by his early-season struggles, considering he averaged 3.1 yards per carry across 36 attempts from Week 1 through Week 8, but he finished the season averaging 4.2 yards per carry across 63 attempts from Week 12 onwards. With both Abdullah and Riddick expected to return in feature-back and pass-catching roles, respectively, Zenner would most likely fit in as more of a short-yardage specialist, an assignment Detroit has been reserving for its plus-size running backs under Caldwell. Since Zenner checks in at 221 pounds-- compared to 203 for Abdullah and 201 for Riddick -- he certainly fits the bill. Unfortunately for fantasy purposes, Zenner might turn out to be more of a nuisance than anything considering he won't see many carries behind Abdullah but will be a threat to vulture touchdowns on a weekly basis.

Murray (ankle) should be healed for the start of training camp, Matthew Coller of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities reports.

Murray underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle shortly after signing a three-year contract with the Vikings in March. Since then, Minnesota drafted the electrifying Dalvin Cook in the second round; with Jerick McKinnon still around, that gives Murray considerable competition for snaps this season. Fortunately for him, Murray is expected to return for training camp, when his work in the film room should allow him to join his teammates on the field without feeling far behind.

According to Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, Martin's (suspension) play during offseason workouts has reminded him of his form during the 2015 season, NFL.com's Kevin Patra reports.

Martin is returning to the fold after being suspended for the final game of the 2016 season and subsequently entering treatment to sort out some off-field issues. Seemingly rejuvenated after that spell, however, Martin has consistently drawn praise during offseason sessions for his physical and mental condition. The tailback appears to be running with the type of power and sharpness that has twice made him a 1,400-yard rusher, not the 400-yard rusher he was his other three seasons. Although Martin will remain suspended for the first three games of the upcoming campaign, his performance of late has helped alleviate concerns over him being a cap casualty, but he'll need to sustain his good work until Week 4 to earn back his starting job ahead of Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims and rookie Jeremy McNichols.

Michael was placed on injured reserve Thursday with an undisclosed injury, Kevin Bowen of the Colts' official site reports.

Michael suffered an injury during practice Wednesday and it appears as though it was at least somewhat serious. Indianapolis signed running back Troymaine Pope to take the place of Michael on the team's current roster.

Brown-Dukes was signed by the Steelers on Wednesday.

Brown-Dukes was originally cut by the team in early May, but the Steelers have elected to bring him back for the remainder of minicamp. He'll still be a long shot to make the final roster, ultimately battling for a spot on the practice squad.

Williams saw first-team reps during Tuesday's minicamp while LeSean McCoy sat out due to a stomach virus, BuffaloBills.com reports.

The Bills don't have anyone proven behind McCoy, and Williams -- the team's fifth-rounder in 2016 -- is looking like the clear choice for insurance behind the stud veteran. There's also talk that the Bills will try to take it easy on McCoy around the goal line. If that comes into fruition, guys like Williams and Mike Tolbert could be in line for a share of scoring touches.

The Eagles seem to be preparing Pumphrey for a role, as he's been taking snaps with the first-team offense, Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, Pumphrey is one of the smallest players in the league at 5-foot-8, 176 pounds. His size (or lack thereof) might lead to assumptions that the Eagles only drafted him as an eventual replacement for 33-year-old scatback Darren Sproles, but it sounds as if the team may have a more immediate role in mind. Pumphrey will still need to impress during training camp and the preseason if he wants to earn more than the occasional touch in a backfield that includes LeGarrette Blount and Wendell Smallwood, in addition to Sproles.