NFL Player News

Browns running backs coach Duce Staley said at mandatory minicamp in mid-June that Sampson has gotten work "as a running back and a receiver," Dan Labbe of cleveland.com reports.

Staley also said that Sampson has worked with wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea, and that the rookie fourth-round pick "is able to go play in the slot and also he's able to go and play on third down and maybe sprinkle in a little second down." The running backs coach also noted that fellow rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, whom the Browns drafted two rounds ahead of Sampson, will be "able to do a little something [...] at receiver, too." Meanwhile, incumbent Jerome Ford has already demonstrated tangible pass-catching chops, and Staley praised his "speed" and ability to "pick up the blitz and catch the ball." While all three of Cleveland's top running backs could see tangible usage in the passing game, Labbe hypothesizes that as things currently stand Judkins and Sampson project to lead the Browns' revamped backfield, with Ford serving as the No. 3 back. Sampson didn't catch many passes in college at Tennessee, including as the team's starter in 2024, so it would come as a surprise if he in fact beats out Ford for passing-down reps at training camp, but if the rookie fourth-rounder can manage that feat he'll have a clear path to fantasy relevance in Year 1, especially in PPR formats.

New Orleans waived Valladay on Friday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Valladay hasn't logged a regular-season appearance since he suited up for one game with the Jets in 2023, playing no snaps on offense and 12 snaps on special teams. He spent time on New York's and New Orleans' practice squads last season and will now look for a new landing spot in the league.

Titans coach Brian Callahan said during mandatory minicamp that Spears has "had an unbelievable offseason" and that he's "really excited to see what he can bring to us this year because he's been in a great place," Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Spears has been a full participant at offseason activities after battling ankle and hamstring injuries in 2024, in addition to two concussions, the latter of which forced him to sit out Week 18. The 2023 third-round pick wrapped 2024 with just 312 yards and four touchdowns on 84 carries across 12 regular-season appearances, plus 31 catches for 226 yards and another score. Spears said he's motivated to "be as consistent as I can be" in 2025 and focusing on "doing more things toward being a better teammate." At full health, it wouldn't be inaccurate to call Spears one of the league's most elusive runners, so as long as he's able to stay on the field, he'll have a path to emerge as a meaningful playmaker alongside Tony Pollard. Callahan said in May that his plan for 2025 is to deploy a more even backfield split between Pollard and Spears that allows the two to "play a little more evenly," and the team seems a strong candidate to build its offense around the ground game in Cam Ward's rookie season.

Pittsburgh released Ward on Thursday.

The Steelers moved Ward between their practice squad, their active roster and free agency during last season, but for now he's back to being unrestricted. With his departure, Trey Sermon, Cordarrelle Patterson and Evan Hull might see their odds of making Pittsburgh's final 53-man roster tick up slightly.

The Ravens waived Ntoh on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Ntoh was let go in order to make room on the roster for Jaire Alexander (knee), whom the team signed earlier in the day. Ntoh joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent back in April and will now look to catch on with another team.

Atlanta signed Corbin (undisclosed) to a contract Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

Corbin spent time with the Giants last offseason but was waived/injured ahead of Week 1. He then resurfaced with the San Antonio Brahmas and led the UFL in rushing yards during the 2025 season. His only NFL action came in 2023, when he handled primarily a special-teams role for the Giants in six regular-season games. The Falcons waived Jase McClellan (knee) in a corresponding move.

The Saints signed Akers to a contract Friday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

In his fifth NFL campaign in 2024, Akers split time between the Texans and Vikings, recording 104 carries for 444 yards (4.3 YPC) and two touchdowns and 14 catches (on 18 targets) for 68 yards and three more TDs. He entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and went without much interest until New Orleans' mandatory minicamp this week, when he worked out for the team. Akers showed enough to earn another opportunity, but he joins a crowded backfield behind No. 1 option Alvin Kamara along with Kendre Miller and rookie sixth-rounder Devin Neal.

Etienne said Thursday at mandatory minicamp that new head coach Liam Coen's offense "has been getting me in a lot of space" and "always puts us in position to make plays," Garry Smits of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Etienne expressed optimism the Jaguars' decision to draft guard Wyatt Milum in the third round of April's draft and sign five offensive linemen in free agency will lead to improvement up front, saying that across his Jacksonville career "we've been ranked 31, 32 in run blocking," but Coen and new general manager James Gladstone have demonstrated that they're "committed to the process and they know what it takes." Coen also dismissed trade rumors surrounding Etienne, saying that the 2021 first-round pick will be a key piece on offense and possesses all the elements necessary to succeed in the run game. Lastly, Etienne said Coen's scheme will have him running up the middle or off-tackle less -- situations he struggled in during the 2024 season -- and that "just not be[ing] predictable is going to help us a lot." Etienne's burst and vision indeed make him a good fit for Coen's scheme, but he faces plenty of competition from Tank Bigsby, plus fourth- and seventh-round rookies Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen.

Hall said at mandatory minicamp Wednesday he's motivated "to go prove that I am 'The Guy'" to a new regime led by new head coach Aaron Glenn, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Glenn talked up using all of Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis "as much as possible" earlier this offseason, but Hall is committed to securing another workhorse role for 2025. "We have a great running back room," Hall said, "but my mentality is every day I'm going to prove that I am the best back on this roster and one of the best backs in the league." He also revealed that despite suiting up for 16 regular-season games in 2024, the knee injury he dealt with was more serious than previously disclosed. "If I could go back, I probably would have taken more time off," the 24-year-old said. If Hall's production dip in 2024 can indeed be explained away by injury and the Jets' overall struggles on offense, his three-down ability and talent level will put him in solid position to bounce back to elite levels in 2025. Glenn and new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand are both acquainted with Detroit's run-heavy, two-back approach, but in New York it's possible QB Justin Fields could mix in alongside Hall more than other tailbacks.

McCaffrey was one of a few 49ers veterans to participate in 11-on-11 work during mandatory minicamp, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

McCaffrey has been trending well from a health perspective this offseason, after struggling with both Achilles and knee issues in 2024. He practiced without restrictions in OTAs and then ramped up his activity further during mandatory minicamp. McCaffrey relayed that he wanted to test his health and was satisfied with the results as he turns his focus to the 2025 season.