NFL Player News

Henderson (ankle) was in street clothes ahead of Saturday's practice, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Head coach Mike Vrabel suggested earlier Saturday that Henderson could return to practice, but the second-year running back will end up observing the session in street clothes as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Henderson will have two more chances to return to practice in at least a limited capacity ahead of the Patriots' regular-season opener against the Seahawks on Wednesday.

Henderson (ankle) could return to practice Saturday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

After missing recent practice time due to an ankle injury, Henderson appears to have at least a chance to get back on the field as New England begins a game-prep stretch ahead of Wednesday's regular-season opener against Seattle. The second-year running back would have to operate in at least a limited capacity over the coming days to have a realistic chance of playing in Week 1. If Henderson cannot play, then Rhamondre Stevenson would be in line for a significant boost in workload, and Corey Kiner would also be in the mix for some backfield touches.

Estime is listed as the fourth running back on the Saints' 53-man roster, Grant Chachere of SI.com reports.

Estime was able to beat out Zamir White and Devin Neal (hamstring) for that final backfield depth spot on the active roster for the regular season. Estime has worked in a rotational role in his first two years in the NFL, but the 2024 fifth-rounder would operate in a larger role behind Travis Etienne in Week 1 against the Lions if one or both of Alvin Kamara (knee) and Kendre Miller (undisclosed) were to be limited or ruled out.

Laube made the Raiders' 53-man roster at the end of training camp and could operate in an elevated role on offense against the Dolphins in Week 1 if Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is limited or ruled out.

Jeanty suffered a low-ankle sprain during the Raiders' training camp practice Aug. 23. The relief for the Raiders was that it wasn't a high-ankle sprain or worse, and although there's optimism around Jeanty playing Week 1, the injury could limit his effectiveness and playing time. That would open the door for both Mike Washington and Laube to operate in expanded roles on offense, with the latter also seeing the field on special teams as a kickoff returner.

Smith is the third and final running back on the Chiefs' 53-man roster for the 2026 regular season, Matt McMullen of the team's official site reports.

Smith and Emari Demercado entered training camp battling for a depth spot on the Chiefs' active roster, but the former ended up winning that RB3 role behind Kenneth Walker and rookie fifth-rounder Emmett Johnson. Smith, a 2025 seventh-rounder, played in all 17 regular-season games in his rookie campaign, turning 44 carries into 151 yards (3.4 YPC) while catching 25 passes (on 35 targets) for 172 yards and a touchdown. Walker figures to be the bellcow running back for the Chiefs, but Smith could see the field on passing downs to give the former a breather.

Abdullah earned a spot on the Jaguars' 53-man roster following a strong training camp, John Oehser of the team's official site reports.

Abdullah and LeQuint Allen (undisclosed) will enter the regular season as the rotational running backs behind co-starters Bhayshul Tuten (illness) and Chris Rodriguez. Abdullah played in only one of the Jaguars' three preseason games, but he did enough during training camp and joint practices to crack the 53-man roster for the 2026 campaign. The 2015 second-rounder appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Colts last year, finishing with 14 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown along with 16 catches (on 17 targets) for 99 yards.

Saylors earned the trust of coaching staff during training camp and could see consistent playing time on both offense and special teams this season, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Saylors had a strong training camp, and across three preseason games he logged 31 carries for 187 yards while catching five passes (on nine targets) for 40 yards. With Isiah Pacheco (back) on injured reserve with no clear return timeline, Saylors is poised to operate in an elevated role in the offense behind Jahmyr Gibbs, with 2024 fourth-rounder Sione Vaki also in the mix for backfield touches.

Vaki is in line to operate in an elevated offensive role to open the regular season after Isiah Pacheco (back) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Vaki and Jacob Saylors are the two healthy backup running backs on the roster behind Jahmyr Gibbs following Pacheco's placement on IR. Vaki has mostly operated on special teams since entering the league in 2024 as a fourth-round pick, but he'll have the opportunity to rotate with Saylors behind Gibbs for as long as Pacheco is shelved.

Badie was one of four running backs to make the Broncos' 53-man roster following the conclusion of training camp, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin entered training camp battling for a depth spot on the active roster. Badie was the one who earned that fourth and final running back spot, joining backfield teammates J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and rookie fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman, while McLaughlin found a new opportunity in Cleveland on the Browns' practice squad. Badie figures to mostly see the field on special teams as a returner on kickoffs, though he could be in the mix for backfield touches if one of Dobbins, Harvey or Coleman were to miss time.

The Chiefs waived Smith (undisclosed) from injured reserve with an injury settlement Friday, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.

Smith was set to miss the entire 2026 season after reverting to the Chiefs' injured reserve Monday. With the settlement, the Stanford product is now eligible to sign and play with a team once he has fully recovered from his undisclosed injury.