NFL Player News

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.

Benson said Thursday that he added seven pounds during the offseason but feels more explosive, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Benson also said he wants the Cardinals to have "two RB1s" this season, suggesting he's ready for a larger role behind James Conner after taking 69 touches for 350 total yards (on 137 snaps) during his rookie campaign. The 2024 third-round pick missed the final three games of last season with an ankle injury but came back healthy for OTAs and minicamp this spring. There aren't many running backs that offer a better combination of speed and size, with Benson having run a 4.39 40 at the 2024 Combine at 6 feet, 216 pounds. It sounds like he may have maintained that speed while pushing his weight to the 220-225 range.

Sanders and Javonte Williams have been getting most of the first-team reps at June minicamp, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Given the alternatives, it's no surprise to see the two free-agent additions handling first-team work, even though both of them averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in each of the past two seasons. The Cowboys' other running backs right now are rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue, rookie seventh-round pick Phil Mafah and 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn. It's anyone's guess how the depth chart might shift before Week 1, with possibilities including a late veteran addition via trade or free agency.