NFL Player News

West received another vote of confidence when the Ravens opted not to select a running back in the 2017 NFL Draft, ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley reports.

West previously got a strong endorsement in late March when head coach John Harbaugh said the 26-year-old was at the top of the team's depth chart. Nothing has happened to change that status, as Kenneth Dixon is still suspended for the first four games of the season, and the team hasn't signed any veteran free agents for its backfield. Coming off a 2016 campaign in which he set career-high marks in every significant statistical category, West has a clear path to a Week 1 role as the starter and lead ball carrier. His upside is still somewhat limited, as he's never been a major threat in the passing game and only had five runs of 20-plus yards on his 193 carries last season. The Ravens hope to use Danny Woodhead (knee) as their primary passing-down back, and the team still has high hopes for Dixon's involvement after Week 4.

Anderson may have to compete for a starting role at running back this offseason following the Broncos' addition of Jamaal Charles earlier this week, Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post reports.

If there wasn't already enough pressure on Anderson following a disappointing 2016 season that featured inconsistent production before ending early due to knee surgery, the Charles signing will certainly ratchet up the intensity. Given what Charles has accomplished in his career, it's easy to get enamored with his upside, but it's important to note that the veteran back is nearly two full seasons removed from his last extended stretch of effective play and has undergone surgery on both knees since that time. Still, it's the kind of signing that a front office doesn't make if it's overly excited by its existing options. Anderson, who averaged at least four yards per carry in just two of seven games last season, still has much to prove after inking a contract extension last offseason.

Williams has yet to sign his restricted free-agent tender, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Williams doesn't believe the $1.8 million he's set to receive is enough for his services. The problem is he has no other alternatives, as the Dolphins control his rights and are unlikely to make a bigger financial commitment for a backup running back.

Henry joined the Titans for the offseason program and reportedly looks to be in great shape, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Henry was absent from the first two weeks of the offseason program because he was back at his alma mater of Alabama working toward a degree. Running backs coach Sylvester Croom noted of his return, "He looks great, is moving well and seems to be in very good shape for this time of year. It's obvious he's been doing a whole lot of work in the time he's been away." Henry will look to build off an impressive rookie campaign in which he recorded 490 yards and five touchdowns on 110 carries while adding 13 receptions for 137 yards, as he played second fiddle to starter DeMarco Murray.

Jones could be the odd man out of Washington's backfield after the team selected Samaje Perine in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Just a year ago, Jones was heading into the season as the clear starter, but he is now in jeopardy of losing his spot on the 53-man roster as his name has been actively mentioned on the trade market. Jones lost the starting job to Rob Kelley halfway through last season due to inconsistent play and fumbling issues, spending the latter part of the year as a healthy inactive. The 24-year-old will have to prove his worth this offseason as he competes with a group of young backs all hungry for snaps; otherwise, his time in the nation's capital may be up.

Perine could challenge Rob Kelley (knee) for the starting running back title, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Perine was selected in the fourth round of last weekend's draft and offers a similar skill set to Kelley. Head coach Jay Gruden said of the rookie, "He's a physical runner, without a doubt. He's also a leader, but when it comes down to it, he can get from here to there -- physically. ... Can't argue the production and the toughness that he has, and that's what drew him to us." While Perine could give Kelley a serious run for his money, the rookie's addition will make a greater impact on Matt Jones. Jones, who lost the starting job to Kelley halfway through last season, may now be the odd man out in a backfield cluttered with young talent including Kelley, Perine and Chris Thompson. Look for more updates on Perine's status to come throughout training camp and the preseason.

Kelley (knee) could be challenged as the Redskins' starting running back spot after the team selected Samaje Perine in the fourth round of last weekend's NFL Draft, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Kelley, who took the starting job from Matt Jones as a rookie last season, could be on the opposite end of the spectrum this year. Perine offers a very similar skill set to Kelley, but it's still too early to tell who will be receiving more first-team reps in training camp. Kelley's health adds an interesting wrinkle to this position battle after the second-year man underwent knee surgery at the end of last season. As a rookie, Kelley rushed for 704 yards and six touchdowns through 15 games, although he didn't take over as starter until Week 8.

The Bills did not draft a running back with any of their six picks to compete with Williams or other veterans for the backup pecking order behind LeSean McCoy.

The No. 2 role looks like Williams' to lose. He served as the No. 3 back as a rookie, and the Bills failed to match the Patriots' offer for Mike Gillislee. Williams slipped in the 2016 draft due to some injury issues, but he was a strong runner for Arkansas and made a decent impression in his young pro career following an offseason incident involving alcohol during his post-draft summer. He might end up being one injury away from a major role in a run-heavy offense, as neither Joe Banyard nor Cedric O'Neal offers anywhere near Williams' athletic ability.

Brown-Dukes was released by the Steelers on Tuesday, Dale Lolley of The Observer reports.

The Steelers trimmed down their roster with four cuts Tuesday, including Brown-Dukes. The Mercyhurst product was a long shot to make the team given that Pittsburgh has one of the most crowded running back rooms in the league at this point in the offseason. He could land with a team looking to add some running back depth during training camp.

Rodgers will face competition from 2017 fifth-round pick Jeremy McNichols in the coming season, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Rodgers was a pleasant surprise last season after signing with the Bucs following a preseason release from the Bears, compiling a personal-best 560 rushing yards while carrying the ball a career-high 129 times. He re-signed on a cap-friendly two-year deal this offseason, but McNichols represents serious competition in terms of playing time. The rookie brings the entirety of Rodgers' skill set to the table but in more spectacular fashion, having logged more "explosive" pass plays of 16 or more yards than any other running back in his draft class outside of Tennessee's Alvin Kamara, according to Thomas Bassinger of the Tampa Bay Times. McNichols also has 3,205 rushing yards (5.6 YPA) over 34 college games and solid pass-blocking skills, making him a younger and higher-ceiling version of Rodgers. However, with questions still surrounding No. 1 back Doug Martin (suspension) -- as well as his guaranteed absence for the first three weeks of the season -- Rodgers offers the Bucs the security blanket of a veteran back who is also intimately familiar with head coach Dirk Koetter's system.