NFL Player News

Head coach Pete Carroll wants Rawls (ankle) to "carry the ball quite a bit" in Sunday's game against Miami, SportsRadio KJR's Curtis Crabtree reports.

Prior to the final preseason game, Carroll said he had no doubt Rawls would be ready for Week 1. The second-year running back then took two carries for seven yards Thursday in Oakland, making his first and last appearance of the preseason. While seemingly still on track to start, Rawls does figure to cede some of the rushing workload to Christine Michael, with C.J. Prosise potentially getting some snaps on passing downs.

Atkinson may be tasked with returning kicks, ESPN.com reports.

With the release of kickoff return candidates Taylor Gabriel, Justin Gilbert and Raheem Mostert, the Browns are in need of a return man and that just may be Atkinson. The 23-year-old ran back seven kicks for 134 yards in 2014 as a Raider and had an 81-yard return for a touchdown in the preseason.

Harris signed with the 49ers on Monday.

Harris was with the 49ers since last season but was cut as the team trimmed down to 53 players. To make room for Harris, San Francisco moved 2016 third-round pick Will Redmond to IR, and it appears the only reason Harris was cut was to avoid having to waive Redmond. Look for Harris to be the teams No. 4 option in the backfield, behind Carlos Hyde, Shaun Draughn, and Mike Davis.

Magee was signed to the Rams' practice squad on Sunday, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Magee was competing for a depth running back role and had an impressive showing in the preseason before eventually being released at final cuts. Now on the practice squad, he'll be an option for the Rams should they face injuries to their current crop of backs during the season.

McFadden (elbow) said he may never regain the ability to fully extend his right arm, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Officially ruled out for at least the first six weeks of the season, McFadden still hasn't practiced since fracturing his elbow in early June. Even if doesn't regain the ability to fully extend his arm, McFadden should be available by mid-season. It does seem quite possible that McFadden's injury could have a long-term impact on his ability to contribute in the passing game, but the Cowboys already have a pair of capable receiving backs in Ezekiel Elliott and Lance Dunbar (knee). As for early downs, Alfred Morris is expected to serve as Elliott's top backup.

Banyard was released by Jacksonville on Sunday, Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post report

Banyard has never made a Week 1 53-man roster through three years in the NFL but has been called up several times after a team suffered injuries to their backfield. Should injuries strike the Jaguars' running backs, they may bring Banyard back.

Jones (shoulder) returned to practice Monday and said afterward that he expects to be ready for Week 1 against the Steelers, CBS DC reports.

Jones separated his left shoulder Aug. 19 in a preseason game against the Jets, causing him to miss more than two weeks of practice. After returning Monday with a no-contact jersey, the second-year running back said he should return to full participation by Wednesday. If healthy, Jones figures to operate as the lead back, albeit with Chris Thompson (shoulder) likely getting most of the snaps on obvious passing downs. If Jones isn't available, undrafted rookie Robert Kelley is next in line for early-down work. Washington only kept three running backs on the 53-man roster, suggesting that Jones and Thompson are both expected to be ready for Week 1.

Hunt was signed by the Texans to their practice squad.

Hunt, who joined the Texans midseason in 2015 and appeared in the team's final seven games, was part of Houston's final cuts after they gave him an extensive look in preseason. The main issue is that his skill-set replicated that of 2016 fourth-round draft pick Tyler Ervin.

Watson was waived on Sunday after the the team claimed five players, according to the team's official website.

Watson was able to make the final cut on Saturday, as the Browns got down to 53 players, but Sunday was a different story. The 23-year-old, along with fellow running back Raheem Mostert, was waived in lieu of Cleveland claiming George Atkinson off waivers from the Raiders.

Thompson was added to Denver's practice squad Sunday.

Thompson has shown that he can produce at the NFL level, but given the Broncos' depth at running back, the 24-year-old will have to at least begin the season on as a member of the practice squad. Thompson accrued one start last season, but the three-year vet only totaled 48 yards on the year. There is a chance that Thompson will make his way onto Denver's active roster during 2016.