NFL Player News

Abanikanda (thigh) wasn't listed on the Jets' injury report Thursday ahead of Monday's game versus the Bills, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

After a lightning-fast recovery from a thigh contusion he sustained less than three weeks ago, Abanikanda will be available to make his NFL debut in Week 1 should the Jets call his number. His path to touches off the bat is quite narrow, however, as he is buried on the depth chart behind one of the best running back trios in football in Breece Hall (knee), Dalvin Cook and Michael Carter.

Montgomery is expected to take over as the Lions' goal-line running back in 2023 in addition to sharing work with Jahmyr Gibbs on early downs, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.

Detroit opted to overhaul its running-back room this offseason, bringing in Montgomery on a three-year, $18 million deal in free agency and selecting Gibbs in the first round of the draft while bidding adieu to Jamaal Williams in free agency and trading D'Andre Swift to Philadelphia. Montgomery will essentially be serving as the Williams replacement, a role that could be fruitful after Williams led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns in 2022. While he shouldn't be expected to see nearly as many goal-line carries as Williams did a season ago nor cash in on those opportunities as frequently, Montgomery would be a worthy investment for fantasy managers if he can reach half of Williams' touchdown total from a year ago. And while the Lions envision the talented Gibbs holding a key role on offense right out of the gate, the coaching staff may take advantage of the rookie's pass-catching skills by deploying him in the slot as well as out of the backfield. As such, there may be scenarios where both Montgomery and Gibbs share the field, and the former should be much more involved in the passing game than Williams was in his lone season in Detroit. Montgomery averaged three catches per game and 6.6 yards per target over his final three years in Chicago, while Williams recorded just 12 catches in total and averaged 4.6 yards per target while playing the full 17-game slate in 2022.

Miller (hamstring) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Per John Hendrix of SI.com, Miller was spotted on the practice field before the team stretch Thursday, but the rookie running back maintained his lack of activity from one day earlier. Miller thus will have just one more chance to mix into the drills this week before the Saints potentially make a ruling on his availability for Sunday's game against the Titans. If he's able to put himself into a position to suit up this weekend, he could have a role out of New Orleans' backfield with Alvin Kamara suspended for the first three contests on the season. Having said that, Jamaal Williams is slated to lead the backfield, Kirk Merritt also is on the active roster, and Tony Jones and Jordan Mims are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.

Moss (arm) remained limited at practice Thursday, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Bowen previously noted that Moss -- who is bouncing back from a broken arm -- was able to take some contact during Thursday's session, but unless the running back practices fully Friday, he figures to approach Sunday's game against the Jaguars with a Week 1 injury designation. In the event that Moss is cleared to play this weekend, he'd begin the season as part of a backfield timeshare that would also include Deon Jackson and Evan Hull.

Brightwell (knee) was a limited participant at practice Thursday ahead of Sunday's game versus Dallas, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Brightwell has been sidelined since the middle of August with a knee issue, and his status for the Giants' Week 1 game is now in true doubt. If he proves unable to play come Sunday, fifth-round rookie Eric Gray would be a likely candidate to replace him as the primary kick returner.

Coach Robert Saleh noted that Hall (knee) will be limited at Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Cimini previously indicated that Hall, who is bouncing back from an ACL tear that he suffered last October, is expected to play in Monday's season opener against the Bills, as is newcomer Dalvin Cook. Hall will have two more chances to log a full practice session ahead of Week 1 action, and assuming he's active against Buffalo, the Jets likely will employ some form of a backfield timeshare out of the gate.

Gray is listed as both the primary punt returner and primary kickoff returner on the Giants' unofficial depth chart for Week 1.

It is a slight surprise that Gray is listed as New York's lead kickoff returner ahead of Gary Brightwell, who served in the role last season. However, Brightwell is dealing with an undisclosed injury that has impacted his practice schedule for the past several weeks, so the Week 1 depth chart may be a reflection of the fact that he isn't fully healthy. Gray was already assumed to be taking over punt-return duties from Richie James, who is now with the Chiefs. The rookie running back is also listed as fourth in the Giants' running-back pecking order behind Saquon Barkley, Matt Breida and Brightwell.

McIntosh (knee) did not practice Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

McIntosh's status for Week 1 still is up in the air as he has yet to fully recover from a sprained left knee. The rookie seventh-round pick is slated to serve as the team's No. 4 back behind Kenneth Walker, Zach Charbonnet and DeeJay Dallas once healthy.

Mostert will be joined by backups De'Von Achane (shoulder) and Salvon Ahmed (neck) -- both of whom practiced in full Wednesday -- as the Dolphins' backfield options for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Chargers, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Mostert still has a clear path to the lead role for Miami following the placement of Jeff Wilson (abdomen) on injured reserve, but the Dolphins having both Achane and Ahmed healthy could limit Mostert's potential to serve as a true workhorse. Of course, at age 31, Mostert can probably be utilized optimally without approaching double-digit touches. He still projects as the Dolphins' clear top back, but the distribution of opportunities between Achane and Ahmed remains uncertain. Ahmed's familiarity with Miami's system and strong training camp could give him the upper hand, but Achane, a rookie third-round pick, boasts the more intriguing skill set and has recent draft capital working in his favor.

Mason (foot) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Mason emerged from the 49ers' preseason finale with a sprained foot, but his return to drills Wednesday indicates that he's making progress in his recovery effort. The 49ers backfield is paced by the do-it-all Christian McCaffrey, whose direct backup, Elijah Mitchell, will also get touches on game days as long as he's healthy. As a result, if Mason isn't ready for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, Tyrion Davis-Price may be the team's third active running back in that contest.