NFL Player News

Tracy is the leader early in training camp for the Giants' No. 2 running back role behind Devin Singletary, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports.

New York's RB pecking order behind Singletary is far from settled, but Tracy's experience as a pass catcher could be a deciding factor in determining his level of opportunity. The rookie spent most of his college career as a wide receiver, which Dunleavy speculates would make him a "perfect fit" in an offense that may look to the short pass as an extension of the running game. Of course, Tracy's time spent as a wideout has cut into his experience in the backfield, and he recently acknowledged that he's still "learning how to be a running back" while indicating that he's "picked up things pretty fast." From a fantasy perspective, Tracy is an intriguing sleeper given the reasonable possibility that New York will be playing from behind often this season as well as the likelihood that Singletary won't be used as a workhorse to the level Saquon Barkley was in recent campaigns.

Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith praised Achane's improved "understanding of the offense" Thursday, saying "he's really made substantial growth," Adam Stites of USA Today reports.

Achane said earlier this offseason that he's added muscle and improved his route running, and it appears that he's made a substantial mental leap as well. Even in a crowded backfield that also houses Raheem Mostert, rookie fourth-round pick Jaylen Wright and veteran Jeff Wilson, it's difficult to ignore Achane's positive offseason momentum, especially coming off a rookie campaign in which he averaged 7.8 YPC on 103 carries during the regular season, including four games with over 100 rushing yards. If Achane is able to maintain similar efficiency while both staying healthy and retaining a large workload, he'll have a clear path to superstardom and elite fantasy production, and thus far it appears he's put himself in prime position to make good on that potential. Of course, Achane's small frame remains a concern despite added muscle, especially after he missed he missed five games and most of a sixth due to injury as a rookie. Still, if his building offseason drumbeat is to be believed, Achane's explosiveness, improvement as a receiver, and upgraded mental game could be enough for consistent high-end production, even without a true workhorse role.

Dolphins running backs coach Eric Studesville said Thursday that Wright has been "highly motivated to be really good" at training camp and is "working and positioning himself to do all those things," Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post reports.

Studesville said Wright is still in the process of fully acclimating to Miami's offensive scheme, which includes an above average amount of motions and designed concepts, but that the rookie fourth-round pick has been "spending extra time doing things" at practice. Meanwhile, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site has continually mentioned Wright as a standout of training camp, singling out his speed and physicality. The former Tennessee star seems an ideal fit for coach Mike McDaniel's scheme, though it's hard to picture him receiving many rushing opportunities unless at least one of Raheem Mostert or De'Von Achane ends up missing time.

Jacobs (groin) is participating in Saturday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jacobs ended up missing just two practices with a groin injury that the running back deemed was "just a tweak." Expect the veteran to continue pushing for a significant role in an offense that has featured the running back position often during Matt LaFleur's tenure as head coach.

The Jaguars waived Lingard on Saturday.

Lingard signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in April. He spent OTAs and minicamp practicing with the team, but he will be on the lookout for another opportunity should he clear waivers. Lingard played in 12 games in his final season in Akron, rushing for 641 yards and four touchdowns on 143 carries.

The Jaguars signed Brightwell to a contract Saturday.

Brightwell appeared in seven regular-season games with the Giants in 2023, registering 66 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches while playing 39 snaps on offense and 99 on special teams. He sustained a hamstring injury in Week 7 against the Commanders and ended the season on IR. He reached an injury settlement with the Giants in June, and he'll now compete for a depth running back spot on the Jaguars behind Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said Saturday that Brooks (knee) won't play in the preseason and isn't expected to make his NFL debut until Week 3 or Week 4 of the regular season, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Brooks is still rehabbing the torn ACL he suffered last November, though the injury didn't stop the Panthers from picking him in the second round of April's NFL Draft. There was initially some optimism that the running back could be ready to practice at the start of training camp, but it's now apparent that he will be eased along cautiously and won't suit up for any preseason contests. It's possible that Brooks will begin the campaign on the PUP list, in which case he wouldn't be eligible to play until Week 5. With Brooks set to miss at least the first three games of the regular season, Chuba Hubbard's hold on the lead back role entering Week 1 may be cemented, though it's still possible that Miles Sanders gives him competition for those duties.

Fenwick was waived by the Patriots on Friday.

Fenwick will depart from New England after competing for a reserve running-back spot since being signed in April. The undrafted free agent running back rushed 96 times for 515 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games with Oregon State during his senior campaign.

Coach John Harbaugh noted Thursday that Hill will maintain a valuable role in the backfield rotation behind Derrick Henry, Clifton Brown of the Ravens' official site reports. "He is a high caliber running back. So, to have him along Derrick, along with the young guys, it's really great. He's going to give us a little different style than Derrick Henry," Harbaugh noted of Hill, adding "I think he's going to play a lot and kind of do it his way."

Though Henry profiles as the team's clear lead back, with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins no longer in the mix and Keaton Mitchell still recovering from a knee injury, Hill is poised to have a key complementary role in Baltimore's backfield out of the gate in 2024. Also competing for depth touches behind Henry are fifth-round rookie Rasheen Ali and Owen Wright. In 16 regular-season contests last season, Hill carried 84 times for 387 yards and three TDs, while adding 28 catches (on 39 targets) for 206 yards and a receiving score.

Vaki returned to practice Friday, and Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated Vaki's shoulder problem is "nothing long term," Jeff Risdon of USA Today and John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated report.

Vaki left practice early on Thursday with shoulder problems, but it appears the injury won't be a problem moving forward as he returned to practice just a day later. The rookie running back will need as many reps as he can get ahead of Detroit's season as he focuses solely on the offensive side of the ball after playing both running back and safety in his collegiate career with Utah.