NFL Player News

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.

Barner may primarily be used on special teams, Jack Wang of The Orange County Register reports.

Melvin Gordon proved more than capable of filling a three-down role last season, and the Chargers also return Kenneth Farrow and Branden Oliver (Achilles) to their backfield. If everyone is healthy, Barner will probably be No. 4 in the pecking order, which could put him on the roster bubble. He's signed to a modest one-year contract and may need to contribute as a kick returner if he's going to stay around in San Diego.

Despite saying that he loves Kelley (knee) and thinks he's a great player, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden acknowledged that the upcoming draft has some special running backs that will be difficult to pass up, Rich Tandler of CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

Kelley was a pleasant surprise for Washington as an undrafted rookie, taking 168 carries for 704 yards (4.2 YPC) and notching six touchdowns, with the vast majority of that production coming in the final nine games while he served as the lead back. Although the Redskins might be content going to battle with a backfield comprised of Kelley and pass-catching specialist Chris Thompson, the team could be tempted by the prospect of acquiring a more explosive runner during the first few rounds of the draft. Kelley displayed good power, vision and instincts as a rookie, but he doesn't possess the speed, agility and explosiveness that most teams desire from a lead runner. He also didn't contribute much as a receiver, catching 12 of 18 targets for 81 yards and a touchdown. Kelley sits atop the depth chart heading into the draft, but it's quite possible he'll ultimately have to battle a rookie for the starting gig. His minor offseason knee surgery doesn't seem to be a concern.

Hightower was signed by the 49ers on Saturday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hightower, who is set to turn 31 in May, has spent the past two seasons in a backup role with the Saints. The 49ers now have five running backs on the depth chart, having re-signed DuJuan Harris earlier in the week. Carlos Hyde (knee) is the clear-cut starter heading into the 2017 season, but Hightower will have a chance to compete with Harris, Mike Davis, and Raheem Mostert for snaps.