NFL Player News

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was non-committal Wednesday when asked about the injury that resulted in Dobbins (undisclosed) opening training camp on the active/PUP list, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

The active/PUP list is allowed only for players that are recovering from an injury or illness, but there's also been speculation that the running back's continued absence is related to frustration with contract negotiations. Dobbins even hinted that he was displeased with his contract in June when he missed minicamp, one day after Harbaugh had attributed the absence to a soft-tissue injury. Some combination of both is possible, of course, as Dobbins could have a minor injury that he would normally practice through but doesn't want to take that risk without a new contract. Whatever the case, Dobbins finished the 2022 season strong and enters the final year of his rookie contract essentially unchallenged as Baltimore's lead back. The options behind him are Gus Edwards, Melvin Gordon, Justice Hill and two undrafted rookies (Keaton Mitchell and Owen Wright).

Herbert and D'Onta Foreman split most of the first-team reps Wednesday during the first practice of training camp, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

The even breakdown of reps is no major surprise, though it's possible one of the two backs pulls ahead of the other before Week 1, and/or another running back joins the fray. In addition to signing Foreman this offseason, the Bears added fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson and special teamer/passing-down specialist Travis Homer. In other words, there's no lack of competition for Hebert, who averaged 5.7 yards on 129 carries last season but caught only nine passes in 13 games.

Williams (knee) participated in the first day of Denver's training camp Wednesday, but the team plans to bring him along slowly with a mix of limited practices and days off, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

The Broncos have little reason to rush Williams' recovery with six weeks left before the start of the season, but the team is encouraged with his progress as the running back works his way back from a torn ACL suffered Oct. 2 of last year. Williams' ability to practice in any capacity at this point is a positive sign, and he projects to return to the top of the depth chart once deemed 100 percent healthy.

Taylor (ankle) was present at practice Wednesday but spent the entire session standing on the sidelines, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

On the bright side, Taylor didn't have a boot protecting his surgically repaired right ankle. Head coach Shane Steichen refused to provide an updated recovery timeline for Taylor, who is on the active/PUP list. Steichen said Taylor will resume practicing once he's 100 percent healthy, which means the running back has yet to fully cleared at this point.

Abanikanda hasn't pushed Michael Carter or Zonovan Knight for reps early on during training camp, as the Jets coaching staff is looking for a greater sense of urgency from the rookie fifth-round pick, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

According to head coach Robert Saleh, Breece Hall needed a similar ramp-up period as a rookie last season to learn how to run through contact in NFL practices. With Hall recovering from a torn ACL, Abanikanda should get plenty of opportunities in camp, and the rookie took a step in the right direction with a 50-yard touchdown run in Tuesday's session.

Gibson said Wednesday that he'll be in a "third-down back" role with Washington in 2023, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

Meanwhile, Brian Robinson profiles as the top option on early downs, with most of Gibson's usage expected to come on passing downs. While suiting up for 15 games in 2022, Gibson produced 546 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 149 carries while also catching a career-high 46 passes for 353 yards and two scores.

Pollard said Wednesday that the Cowboys' plan is for him to be eased into training camp, but he noted that he feels "pretty much at 100 percent," Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Pollard has been medically cleared for the start of camp, but the Cowboys will take a cautious approach to his initial practice workload. The standout back underwent surgery in January to address a broken fibula and high-ankle sprain, but the team seemingly doesn't have any concerns about his availability for Week 1. Pollard looks primed to operate as a focal point of the Cowboys offense while playing out the 2023 campaign on the franchise tag, but in the early portion of camp, some additional first-team reps could be up for grabs among Malik Davis, Ronald Jones and Deuce Vaughn.

Ford has received a steady dose of reps at running back over the first few practices at training camp, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.

This should not come as a surprise, as the Browns let Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson walk during the offseason, paving the way for Ford to become the top backup to starter Nick Chubb. Of note, Poisal points out Ford is getting a chance to show off his receiving ability out of the backfield. "A big reason that we drafted him in '22 was because of his ability as a receiver, and we think that he'll be able to play that role really well," Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry said. Ford also worked with kick returners Tuesday.

Carter is optimistic that he will bounce back in 2023 after a tough sophomore season, Andy Vasquez of NJ.com reports.

Carter worked in a change-of-pace role behind Breece Hall early in 2022 but failed to step up after Hall suffered a season-ending ACL tear. The Jets faced stacked boxes due to their poor quarterback play, and Carter found minimal room to showcase his speed, dropping from 964 scrimmage yards in 14 games as a rookie to 690 in 16 appearances in his second season. Hall's still recovering from his knee injury but the Jets drafted Israel Abanikanda in the fifth round in 2023 as additional depth alongside second-year back Zonovan Knight. Even if Hall is healthy by Week 1, Carter's receiving ability should keep him involved in the game plan.

Taylor (ankle) was placed on the active/PUP list Tuesday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

The 24-year-old missed six games last season, including the final three, and had arthroscopic debridement surgery on his right ankle in January. It was thought that Taylor would be ready for the start of training camp, so this could be just a procedural move to ease him back into action. However, GM Chris Ballard did not mention Taylor as a PUP candidate earlier Tuesday, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports, so there could be something more at play.