NFL Player News

Martin (suspension) reported Monday for the start of offseason workouts, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

Martin rejoined his teammates Monday after being suspended four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy and subsequently spending time in rehab this offseason. Those troubles followed Martin signing a lucrative five-year, $35.75 extension last March, and then going on to average just 2.9 yards per carry in his mere eight appearances in 2016. Because of Martin's suspension, which has three games remaining, the Bucs could cut him and save $7 million. However, in light of positive feedback from his time in rehab, it appears they'll give the 28-year-old a chance to redeem himself, starting with Monday's first workout session.

Williams recently visited with the Patriots, ESPN's Field Yates reports.

This doesn't look like much of a fit, with the Patriots in the market for a power runner to join a backfield that already includes Dion Lewis, James White, Rex Burkhead and Brandon Bolden. Williams is valued mostly for his receiving skills and special teams contributions, which would make him redundant on the current New England roster. The Patriots may just be gathering information in an effort to learn more about him for the future. Williams doesn't seem to have drawn much interest since the Dolphins gave him a one-year, $1.797 million restricted free agent tender in early March.

Gillislee recently visited with the Patriots, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

A restricted free agent, Gillislee carries an original-round tender, which means any team that signs him to an offer sheet would have to surrender a fifth-round pick if the Bills decide not to match the contract. With other options still on the table, New England probably isn't ready to seriously consider giving up a fifth-round pick for a running back of Gillislee's caliber. The team could still re-sign LeGarrette Blount, sign Adrian Peterson or another veteran, or even use an early draft pick on a running back. The Patriots are in the market for a power runner to fill the role Blount so capably handled the past two-plus seasons. Gillislee likely will end up playing at least one more season in Buffalo behind LeSean McCoy (ankle).

Martin (suspension) is expected to join the Bucs for the start of OTAs next Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Martin is reportedly doing "amazing" following his stint in a rehabilitation facility several months ago and subsequent workouts over the last several weeks in California. The OTA period will presumably give the Bucs a good read of Martin's physical and mental condition over an extended period and in a low-pressure environment. Presuming their former Pro Bowl running back is doing as well as recently advertised -- and continues to demonstrate the same readiness throughout training camp and preseason -- the team will have little reason to part ways with him. Martin would miss the first three games of the regular season while finishing out the four-game suspension he was handed last December, but would otherwise be available without restriction throughout the duration of training camp and the exhibition slate. Irrespective of Martin's status, the Bucs are likely to invest at least one pick at the running back position in the upcoming draft.

Anderson (knee) is down to 223 pounds with about five pounds left to lose, Anderson said on Twitter.

"Stout," as Cosmo Kramer would say, Anderson's stocky physique seldom got in the way of big-time plays early in his career, as evidenced by his 48-yard game-winner against New England in 2015 and his 51-yard catch-and-run in Oakland in 2014. Last season, however, Anderson lacked that explosiveness during an injury-shortened season. Anderson averaged a play of 20 or more yards just once every 42 touches in 2016 as compared to once every 25 touches in 2015 and once every 19 touches in 2014. Head coach Vance Joseph emphasized finding players who can take the ball from the line of scrimmage to the house during his press conference on Monday, and perhaps a few less pounds can give Anderson's elusiveness a boost and prevent the kind of injuries that have sidelined him in 2015 and 2016. If not, Denver has already notably met with a number of early and mid-round running back options for the upcoming draft.

According to Broncos coach Vance Joseph, Anderson (knee) is fully prepared to participate in OTAs, Mike Klis of NBC 9News Denver reports.

Anderson's 2016 campaign ended after he suffered a torn right meniscus in Week 7. After undergoing surgery to repair that injury in late October, Anderson has been running at full speed for over two months. With Joseph revealing the tailback has since been cleared for Denver's offseason program, any injury concerns over Anderson should be hushed, which is great news for him ahead of this season. With the addition of offensive linemen Ronald Leary and Menelik Watson, as well as the return of offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, a fully healthy Anderson could enjoy more room to run this term and remains projected as the team's starter after Devontae Booker failed to take advantage of his absence last year.

Bolden will have to compete for a roster spot, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

Bolden's new contract with the Patriots contains a minimal signing bonus of $50,000. He's stuck around the roster since 2012 due to his contributions on special teams, but the Patriots recently gave a much larger contract to Rex Burkhead -- another running back with a long history of standout play on special teams. Bolden likely will have to compete with D.J. Foster (and perhaps a rookie or two) for the No. 4 running back job behind Burkhead, Dion Lewis (hamstring) and James White.

The Patriots have re-signed Bolden, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

Bolden will thus reprise his role as a core special-teamer for the Patriots, though his fantasy value is minimal given that he is merely a depth option in the team's backfield, which also has Dion Lewis, James White, Rex Burkhead and D.J. Foster under contract. This past season, Bolden played in 14 games, logging just one rushing attempt for four yards, while catching two passes for 15 yards.

Anderson (knee) may not be ready for the start of the Broncos' offseason program, ESPN's Jeff Legwold reports.

Anderson is on the mend from October surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee. While he's known to be back running and working out, it appears he still hasn't been cleared to resume football-related activities. However, even if he doesn't participate in the early goings of the Broncos' training program, which starts April 10, Anderson is a seasoned running back who won't necessarily suffer from missing out on offseason practice reps as a younger, less experienced player would. All in all, it simply appears that Denver is prepared to take every precaution in order to make sure its starting running back enters the 2017 campaign at full health.

Head coach Bruce Arians hinted that he's comfortable with Williams serving as the top backup to David Johnson, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic reports. "I think Kerwynn has proven every time he plays he gets 100 yards," Arians said. "Everybody says he's too small. He just gets 100 yards every time he steps out there."

With Chris Johnson still unsigned and Andre Ellington attempting a transition to wide receiver, the Cardinals look a bit thin behind three-down workhorse David Johnson. While the team may still add competition via the draft, it sounds as if Arians would be comfortable using Williams as the top backup. In addition to complementing Williams' running ability, Arians mentioned that the 25-year-old has good hands and is a capable pass blocker. Williams was buried on the depth chart last season, but he's averaged 5.6 yards per carry on 98 career attempts. Asides from Williams, Johnson and Ellington, the only running back on the current roster is Elijhaa Penny, a 2016 undrafted rookie who failed to make the final roster last season.