NFL Player News

Coach Gary Kubiak relayed the Broncos would consider bringing Hillman back later this offseason, ESPN.com reports.

With Hillman still unsigned this deep into free agency, such an outcome now looks plausible, though in such a scenario, he'd presumably be brought back for a complementary role behind C.J. Anderson, whose four-year, $18-million offer sheet (from Miami) the Broncos elected to match. Also currently in Denver's depth RB mix are Juwan Thompson, Kapri Bibbs and Cyrus Gray.

The Dolphins and Thomas (knee) agreed to a contract Thursday, Rand Getlin of NFL Network reports.

After dabbling in but ultimately losing out on C.J. Anderson and Chris Johnson, the Dolphins are following a cheap path to production out of the backfield with the additions of Thomas and Isaiah Pead on Thursday. Thomas himself remained unemployed last season following his release from the Bears near the tail end of the preseason slate. In four previous campaigns with the Dolphins, he didn't exactly turn heads, averaging 3.6 YPC, hauling in 55 passes, and scoring 13 touchdowns in 52 games. If he's still with the team out of training camp, he'll more than likely play second fiddle, at best, to sophomore RB Jay Ajayi.

The Dolphins have signed Pead, the Miami Herald reports.

After making attempts to add C.J. Anderson and Chris Johnson to their backfield, the Dolphins will now throw Pead into the depth mix behind Jay Ajayi, but his addition is not likely to be the team's last move to fortify the running back position. The 26-year-old -- who was a 2012 second-round pick by the Rams -- was limited to two carries for three yards in two games last season, and he thus has much to prove before approaching fantasy consideration.

Davis requested a trade earlier this offseason, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

The Chiefs appear set at running back after Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West filled in capably for Jamaal Charles (torn ACL), who says he's ahead of schedule in his recovery. With Ware and West both agreeing to extensions Thursday, the Chiefs have all three running backs under contract through at least 2017, leaving Davis as the odd man out. Despite running a 4.37 40-yard dash at 227 pounds at the 2012 Scouting Combine, the 24-year-old Davis has averaged just 3.3 yards on 232 carries through three seasons. He won't fetch anything more than a late-round pick, and the Chiefs may ultimately just end up releasing him. If he does stick in Kansas City, it will likely be due to his strong track record as a kickoff return man.

Jones (hip) is expected to be 100 percent healthy when the Redskins' offseason program begins next month, CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

Jones had a minor hip procedure in January, forcing him to miss the Redskins' final two regular season games and their playoff loss as well. However, after having a couple months to recover, Jones is expected to be ready to assume Washington's starting running back position this season, beginning with his participation in the offseason program. Although coach Jay Gruden admitted the Redskins were gambling a bit in prioritizing Jones over recently-departed tailback Alfred Morris, the rising second-year player's size and explosiveness give him intriguing upside heading into the upcoming campaign.

Head coach Jim Caldwell relayed at the NFL owners meetings that Abdullah will have plenty of opportunity during the 2016 season, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports. "If there's anybody who is going to improve, he's going to improve," said Caldwell.

After flashing explosiveness with a 24-yard touchdown run in his NFL debut, Abdullah dropped the ball early and often and even combined for 79 total snaps in a five-game stretch from Week 5-10. As the campaign progressed, though, he settled into a regular role, averaging 5.4 YPC, scoring one touchdown, and corralling 11 of 14 passes over the final seven contests. With Joique Bell out of the picture, Abdullah will only have to contend with pass-catching threat Theo Riddick and fellow sophomore Zach Zenner for RB touches in the fall.

Andrew Walker of the team's official site suggests that "by all accounts" Jones (groin) "will be handed" Washington's starting running back job this coming season.

When healthy, teammate Chris Thompson can provide the team with a change-of-pace option, but with Alfred Morris now with Dallas, Jones is clearly atop Washington's RB depth chart at this time, though we suspect that further options at the position will be added via free agency or the draft in advance of the coming season. For now, Silas Redd and Mack Brown are the other running backs under contract with Washington for 2016.

Gordon, who is still recovering from a January knee procedure to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, may not be fully cleared in advance of the Chargers' offseason program, which begins in mid-April, ESPN.com reports.

That said, there's been nothing to suggest that Gordon won't be full speed well before the start of the 2016 campaign, with coach Mike McCoy looking forward to seeing more big plays out of the running back in his second year as a pro. Gordon finished up his rookie season with 184 carries for 641 yards in 14 games, to go along with 33 catches for 192 yards. After having scored 32 total touchdowns his final college season at Wisconsin in 2014, Gordon did not find the end zone once last season, but the Chargers remain hopeful that improved blocking from their offensive line, coupled with added experience and confidence on Gordon's part should translate into better results for him in 2016.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he still views McFadden as the starting running back but expects free-agent signee Alfred Morris to have a substantiative role, Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas reports.

Jones is probably getting a bit ahead of himself, as Morris might be able to take over the starting job with strong showings in training camp and the preseason. It is fair to assume that McFadden will open camp as the first-team running back, coming off a season in which he recorded 1,417 yards from scrimmage while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Receiving specialist Lance Dunbar (knee) could also be in the mix for a significant role, potentially creating a three-headed backfield.

The Cowboys signed Alfred Morris to join McFadden and Lance Dunbar (knee) in the backfield, the Cowboys' official site reports.

Despite averaging 4.6 yards on 239 carries last season, McFadden was bound to face competition in 2016, as his success was largely the product of running behind an excellent offensive line. Alfred Morris is coming off an ugly final season in Washington, but he's still only 27 years old and otherwise has a strong track record. The Cowboys also hope to have a healthy Lance Dunbar, who caught 21 passes over the first three weeks of the 2015 season before going down with a torn ACL.