NFL Player News

Abdullah isn't under any restrictions entering training camp, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Abdullah, who's bouncing back from a broken foot he sustained in Week 2 of last season, isn't even wearing a red no-contact jersey that most teams would give a player at risk of aggravating a prior injury. The third-year back has reportedly displayed impressive quickness in his cuts, so it truly looks like he's back to full health. Twentyman reports Abdullah is expected to receive somewhere around 200 carries this upcoming season as the Lions' lead back, which sounds about right for that role in head coach Jim Caldwell's offense. After all, Abdullah will share the backfield with pass-catching specialist Theo Riddick -- not to mention Zach Zenner and Dwayne Washington on occasion, given Detroit's historical tendency to deploy a plus-size runner in short-yardage situations. In 2014, Caldwell's first season directing the team, Joique Bell handled 223 carries as the lead dog. In 2015, Abdullah and Bell split the load 143 to 90. Unfortunately, last season's injury-skewed distribution isn't really relevant.

Vereen was held out of practice Tuesday due to a "lower-body" injury, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.

Head coach Ben McAdoo was ambiguous about the nature of the injury, but he also termed Vereen as "sore," so the running back may be merely feeling the aches and pains associated with an elevated workload. With Vereen absent, the Giants now have two members of the backfield sitting out -- also, Shaun Draughn (ankle) -- which is likely solidifying Paul Perkins even further as the unquestioned No. 1 back. No matter, if healthy, Vereen will contribute as a pass catcher, at the very least.

Williams saw action with the first-team offense in several situations at Tuesday's practice, according to Aaron Nagler of Packersnews.com.

Williams practiced with the starters Monday both in standard team sets and also in a two-minute drill simulation. Ty Montgomery is primed to open the season as the Packers' starting running back, but there will be a training-camp competition among three rookies to determine who is Montgomery's top backup, and Williams -- as the highest drafted player of the bunch -- is the early favorite for the job.

Elliott has been lining up in the slot and out wide in the early part of training camp as the Cowboys focus on ways to get him more involved in the passing game, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. "Zeke can get more catches this year without him playing more plays," quarterback Dak Prescott said Monday. "I think just his ability with the ball in his hands is valuable to this offense. So in the passing game [if] the defense is giving us soft coverage, get it to him and let him do what's best. As you see, we've kind of given it to him a bunch out here already. And it's just the fact of that's just how the offense is going, that's what the defense is giving us. It's not that we're calling plays extra to give Zeke the ball."

As a rookie, Elliott caught 32 passes on 40 targets in 15 games, but running backs in offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's scheme have often hauled in 50 or more passes in a season, including DeMarco Murray's 57 in his final year with Dallas -- which leaves significant potential for growth in Elliott's receiving numbers in his second NFL campaign. Even if he has to serve a brief suspension to begin the season, the league's defending rushing champ could still find a way to improve on his fantasy value in 2017.

Josh Ferguson is ahead of Mack for the No. 3 running back position as training camp begins, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Mack will compete with Robert Turbin and Ferguson for backup work behind 34-year-old Frank Gore. It makes sense that Mack begins camp at No. 4 on the depth chart since he's a rookie (2017 fourth-round draft pick). However, he may have the most upside if Gore were to get hurt since he set the all-time rushing record at South Florida in just three seasons while averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

Gordon (knee) has looked healthy throughout the beginning stages of the Chargers' training camp, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

While the Chargers have yet to practice with pads on, Gordon has nevertheless looked explosive, bursting through the offensive line on a handful of carries. Now eight months removed from the knee and hip injuries that ended his 2016 campaign prematurely, Gordon is looking to break through the 1,000-yard rushing barrier that eluded him last season.

Pumphrey will miss Tuesday's practice with a hamstring injury, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Pumphrey has been mixing in with the first-team offense dating back to the offseason program, with the Eagles apparently impressed by his receiving ability. It seems he could enter Week 1 with a real role, though he's unlikely to surpass Darren Sproles as the primary pass-catching back. Pumphrey's strong offseason and start to training camp could make it tough for Wendell Smallwood to earn a role.

McNichols could see some extra opportunities during the first three weeks of the regular season while Doug Martin serves a suspension, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

General manager Jason Licht's recent comments that the Bucs are leaning toward a committee approach while Martin is sidelined is good news for McNichols, who will still have to prove himself in training camp that he's ready to take on some responsibilities in the run game right away. The 21-year-old rookie has drawn a number of comparisons to Martin, and his pass-catching acumen could potentially allow him to vulture some snaps from Charles Sims if he can prove adequate in protection.

Sims is likely to see a slight boost in snaps during the first three games of the regular season while Doug Martin finishes serving his suspension, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

General manager Jason Licht commented that the Bucs are leaning toward taking a committee approach at running back for the first three weeks of the season, meaning Sims could be in for added touches along with the likes of Jacquizz Rodgers and fifth-round pick Jeremy McNichols. Sims is primarily renowned for his pass-catching prowess, though he did log double-digit carries in Weeks 3 and 4 last season when Martin was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Coach Dirk Koetter has emphasized that Sims' pass-blocking skills are another trait that makes him particularly valuable on third downs, but with the team apparently striving for a true timeshare in the backfield while Martin is out, the fourth-year back projects for slightly more work than usual as a runner on first and second down as well.

Hightower picked up the first snap at running back during Monday's practice, Cam Inman of The Mercury News reports.

With Carlos Hyde just more than seven months removed from a torn MCL, the 49ers coaching staff could be doing their due diligence with the running back, who arrived at training camp in "tremendous" shape, according to general manager John Lynch. However, in addition to getting superseded by Hightower in Monday's practice, Hyde also fumbled on a toss play. Contrary to popular opinion, the competition between Hyde and Hightower is closer than initially expected, but in-game performances in the preseason may actually hold more weight in the end.