NFL Player News

Head coach Sean Payton noted that Williams " looked real sharp" at practice Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Payton added that Williams has lost some weight since last season, and Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com relays that the running back currently checks in at around 220 or 221 pounds. Per Troy Renck of Denver 7 News, Williams sought to trim down this offseason based on feedback from Payton, and the 2021 second-round pick's apparent improvements in conditioning can only help him maintain his perch atop a Broncos backfield depth chart that also includes Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that Edwards (undisclosed) went through individual drills during Wednesday's practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Harbaugh added that Edwards underwent an unspecified offseason procedure, and as a result, the Chargers plan to give the running back a "longer runway" in terms of being a full participant in practice. As the coming season approaches, Daniel Popper of The Athletic has suggested that Edwards, when available, profiles as the team's lead back, with J.K. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller in the mix for complementary touches. Given that Edwards hasn't been involved as a pass catcher during his career, he'll make most of his fantasy impact in early-down and goal-line situations, a context that could lead to PPR utility for whomever emerges as the team's top change-of-pace option.

Guerendo departed Wednesday's training camp practice early due to a hamstring injury, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The severity of Guerendo's injury isn't known, with head coach Kyle Shanahan saying that the running back will need to be evaluated further, according to Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site. It's a tough start for the rookie speedster, who is working to carve out a role behind Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell. Guerendo dealt with recurring soft-tissue injuries in college, so his status will warrant close monitoring.

Miller exited the Saints' first training camp Wednesday due to a hamstring injury , Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The severity of Miller's injury remains uncertain, but it's an unfortunate start to camp for the 2023 third-round pick. Head coach Dennis Allen said bluntly that Miller is "going to have to figure out how to stay healthy," adding that "it's hard to make the team from the training room," per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. Injuries have been a recurring issue for Miller in his short NFL career, as he was limited to just eight appearances as a rookie. If he can get back on the field without missing much of camp, Miller could have the opportunity to push for increased work behind Alvin Kamara, though Jamaal Williams currently looks like the frontrunner for the No. 2 role.

Dobbins (Achilles) is participating in the first day of Chargers training camp Wednesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Dobbins will avoid having to begin training camp on the PUP list, confirming that he's truly healthy after having suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in Baltimore's regular-season opener in 2023. Whether Dobbins' effectiveness has been compromised by the injury remains to be determined, as the torn Achilles represents the most recent setback among the gauntlet of major injuries he's dealt with in his NFL career, which also include a torn ACL, a torn LCL and severe hamstring strain. Still, Dobbins' presence on the field to begin camp is a major point in his favor, and as long as he hasn't lost too much explosiveness, he could be set for a significant role alongside former Ravens teammate Gus Edwards in a familiar rushing scheme led by offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

Edwards (undisclosed) was on the field Wednesday in the first day of training camp, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Edwards was seen going through drills in full pads Wednesday after having been limited to working out on the side during June minicamp. The veteran bruiser appears to be over whatever injury was pestering him during spring. He'll reunite in Los Angeles with offensive coordinator Greg Roman in what is expected to be a run-heavy offensive scheme under new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Edwards appears to be the favorite to serve as the Chargers' starting running back Week 1, and he should be in line to handle the majority of goal-line work. Former Ravens teammate J.K. Dobbins (Achilles), Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller could all be in the mix for change-of-pace work, as Edwards has never been much of a factor on third downs or obvious passing situations.

The Browns placed Hines (knee) on the active/non-football injury list Wednesday.

Hines said earlier this offseason that he anticipated being ready for training camp, so it's possible he won't spend much time on the NFI list before passing his physical. The pass-catching specialist is working his way back from a left ACL tear suffered last August, and once healthy, he'll compete for a role as a return man and third-down back. Nick Chubb (knee) started camp on the active/PUP list and remains without a timetable for return, so Hines could have a real opportunity alongside Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman in the Cleveland backfield, health permitting.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday that Gibson (undisclosed) should return to practice "relatively soon," Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Gibson is on the non-football injury/illness list for the start of training camp, after seemingly being a full participant in the offseason program. He'll presumably be the No. 2 running back once he's ready to practice, having signed with the Patriots in March on three-year, $11.25 million contract that includes $5.3 million guaranteed. It's good money by backup running back standards, and while Gibson will likely get most of his playing time on passing downs initially, his combination of size (six-foot, 228 pounds) and lead-back experience (258 carries in 2021) means there's potential for large workloads if starter Rhamondre Stevenson misses games.

The Browns placed Chubb (knee) on the active/PUP list Wednesday.

Chubb can be activated at any point throughout training camp or the preseason once he passes a physical and is deemed ready to practice. The 28-year-old running back is working his way back from a severe left knee injury, which included two separate surgeries to repair his MCL and ACL. Chubb has made encouraging progress in his workouts this offseason and is expected to be healthy and available for game action at some point during the 2024 campaign, but an exact timetable for his return remains uncertain. In the meantime, Jerome Ford, D'Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong should handle the bulk of backfield reps at practice, with Nyheim Hines (knee) also working his way back from the active/non-football injury list.

Hall (lower body) participated in 11-on-11 drills at Day 1 of Jets training camp Wednesday, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Hall didn't practice at June minicamp due to a lower-body injury, though he noted that the coaching staff was mostly holding him out as a precautionary measure. The star running back said earlier this offseason that his knee already feels much better than during the 2023 season, when he was working his way back from an ACL tear. During the upcoming season, he should benefit from improved offensive line play, with the Jets having signed left tackle Tyron Smith, traded for right tackle Morgan Moses and added tackle Olu Fashanu in the first round of April's draft. Plus, the promise of a healthy Aaron Rodgers should allow New York's offense to take a step forward, after questionable quarterback play heavily limited the unit in recent seasons.