NFL Player News

Vaughn (hamstring) is expected to return to practice this week, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Vaughn has been sidelined at practice with a hamstring injury, but he may be nearing a return to action. The running back is expected to operate as a depth option behind Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders this season, likely making his greatest impact on special teams.

The Packers activated Johnson (hamstring) off the active/non-football injury list Sunday, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Johnson made his return to practice Sunday after having missed the start of training camp due to a hamstring injury. The rookie undrafted free agent should now have ample opportunity to compete for a spot as one of Green Bay's backup running backs, as the team currently lacks proven talent at the position behind Josh Jacobs.

McIntosh (knee) likely tore an ACL during practice Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Further testing needs to be done to confirm McIntosh's diagnosis, but the initial expectation is that the third-year RB suffered a major knee injury. If he did indeed tear an ACL, McIntosh would almost certainly need to miss the entire 2025 campaign. That would be a blow both to Seattle's running-back corps -- McIntosh was slated to be the team's No. 3 RB -- and to its special-teams unit, as he was expected to work as a kick returner as well. If McIntosh is unable to play this year, seventh-round rookie Damien Martinez could be asked to take on the third-RB role behind Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, while Steven Sims could handle lead kick-return duties.

The Texans activated Taylor (undisclosed) off the active/PUP list Saturday, Howard Balzer of USA Today reports.

Taylor passed his physical Saturday and is now able to return to practice. With Joe Mixon set to miss extended time with a foot injury, Taylor should have a chance to catch on with the team as a backup running back.

McIntosh suffered a leg injury during Seattle's practice Saturday, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

McIntosh had to be helped off the field after suffering a leg injury during a special-teams drill. The 25-year-old was unable to put any weight on his left leg following the injury. Should he be forced to miss extended time, Steven Sims could take over his role as the team's primary kick returner.

Chubb figures to see more opportunities during training camp after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Joe Mixon (foot/ankle) is facing an extended absence.

Chubb is almost two years removed from his catastrophic knee injury that included ACL, MCL and meniscus tears. The 2018 second-round pick played in eight regular-season games last season and rushed 102 times for 332 yards (3.3 YPC) and three touchdowns. None of his carries went for 20 or more yards. However, the Texans are hoping he can return to form with another offseason of training under his belt, and the opportunity is clear now that Mixon is in danger of missing regular-season games, although that will be determined closer to Week 1. Rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks should also get in the mix, especially in passing situations.

Mixon (foot/ankle) is expected to face an extended absence and will be re-evaluated closer to the beginning of the season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Mixon is currently on the active/non-football injury list due to an ankle injury, but Rapaport added that it's a foot injury that will cause him to miss serious time. It's unclear if these two injuries are related. Regardless, this could be a significant loss for the Texans, as Mixon posted the fifth 1,000-yard rushing season of his career through 14 regular-season games last year. Nick Chubb will likely take a significant portion of the first-team reps moving forward while rookie Woody Marks rotates in because Dameon Pierce (undisclosed) is on the PUP list. Mixon could still get healthy by Week 1, but he will be re-evaluated closer to the beginning of the season to determine a timetable for his return.

The Packers claimed Abanikanda off waivers Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Abanikanda quickly found a new home after being waived by the 49ers on Thursday. The 2023 fifth-rounder spent the entire 2024 campaign on the Jets' practice squad, but he'll now have an opportunity to earn a spot on the Packers' 53-man roster. Chris Brooks, Amar Johnson (undisclosed) and Jalen White are Abanikanda's primary competitors for the fourth RB spot on the depth chart behind Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson.

Coach Jonathan Gannon believes Benson "is going to take a step" in his second season as a pro, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

There's no question about James Conner's standing as the top option out of the Cardinals backfield, as the eight-year veteran is coming off a career-best 1,508 yards from scrimmage during the 2024 season. The team invested a third-round pick in Benson two springs ago, but he managed only 69 touches for 350 total yards and one rushing TD in 13 regular-season games as a rookie. He wasn't known for his receiving ability in college, so Benson may need an injury to Conner to make a significant impact in the upcoming campaign.

Ford (undisclosed) worked out with the athletic training staff Friday and is getting closer to practicing, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has been consistently optimistic that Ford's absence at the start of training camp won't last long. With rookie second-round pick Quinshon Judkins unsigned and facing legal problems, the Browns are left with only fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson, Pierre Strong and UDFA Ahmani Marshall as the available running backs for the opening days of training camp. Ford likely will be the leader of the group once he's ready to return from his unspecified injury.