NFL Player News

Barkley and the Giants have restarted discussions about a contract extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Barkley has been seeking a long-term deal with New York since he was given the franchise tag in early March, but talks between the two sides appeared to have stalled based on the running back's description of the negotiations as "untruthful" and "misleading" at his youth camp earlier this month. However, discussions on an extension seem to have since moved forward with less than a month to go until the July 17 deadline to reach an agreement. Barkley is widely expected to play this season even if he has to do so under the franchise tag, though he has hinted at the option of holding out if he and the Giants aren't able to get a deal done.

Ford will remain the Browns' top kick returner in 2023, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.

Ford, who was Cleveland's primary returner on kickoffs last year, will retain those duties even though his role on offense will expand as the No. 2 running back behind Nick Chubb. Cleveland running backs coach Stump Mitchell is confident Ford can step in as the top backup, a role handled by Kareem Hunt the last four seasons, noting Ford's strong work this spring on pass protection.

Nwangwu was frequently was used alongside quarterback Kirk Cousins in 11-on-11 snaps during Wednesday's minicamp workout, The Athletic reports.

Nwangwu is a dynamic kickoff returne but will compete for a larger role as a running back after the release of Dalvin Cook. Nwangwu enters camp battling Ty Chandler and DeWayne McBride for snaps behind starter Alexander Mattison. It's possible the backfield could be more of a committee, one in which Nwangwu's speed could afford him a significant role.

The Falcons placed Williams (knee) on injured reserve Friday, Scott Bair of the team's official site reports.

This move was expected after head coach Arthur Smith said Williams had torn his ACL during an offseason workout. The return man recently underwent season-ending surgery and will attempt to get heathy for the 2024 campaign. In his absence, Cordarrelle Patterson will presumably take over as the primary kick returner, while Mike Hughes and Josh Ali will compete for punt-return opportunities.

Akers, per coach Sean McVay, is "going to be a central figure in this offense," Cameron DaSilva of TheRamsWire reports.

The end of the 2022 season saw the one-time second-round pick finally flash some of his tantalizing potential with back-to-back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, three touchdowns and an impressive 5.5 YPC over the Rams' final three contests. Akers has been putting in the work in the offseason with new running backs coach Ron Gould to protect what turned into a three-down role as the lead back, and while coach Sean McVay also complimented Kyren Williams on his progress this offseason, McVay noted that Akers is "going to be a huge part of what we're doing moving forward." Between McVay's comments and Akers' performance down the stretch last year, it seems much more likely the Rams will utilize the fourth-year veteran as the primary ball carrier rather than lumping him into the mostly ineffective committee approach the team used for the first half of last season.

Blackshear appears to be in line for an expanded offensive role under the Panthers' new coaching staff, reports Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer.

Blackshear was singled out as an "under-the-radar" standout in spring practices by coach Frank Reich, according to Kaye. Signed by Carolina in September 2022 after he was cut by the Bills, Blackshear appeared in 13 games for the Panthers last season, rushing 23 times for 77 yards and three touchdowns in mop-up duties behind D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard. He also caught 10 balls for 93 yards, and serving as a pass-catching complement to Miles Sanders could be his primary ticket to playing time this season.

Dobbins (undisclosed) declined to comment on reports he missed June minicamp due to a soft tissue injury and suggested Thursday that he's frustrated with his contract situation, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports. "The business side is very hard. It's very different," Dobbins told WJZ-TV on Thursday. "You saw with Lamar [Jackson]. It's never just roses and daisies."

Coach John Harbaugh cited an unspecified soft tissue injury earlier in the week to explain Dobbins' absence from practice, while the running back seems to be saying his contract was a factor. They both said he'll be back on the field for training camp, with Dobbins making it clear he hopes to sign an extension in the interim as he enters the final season of his rookie contract. The 24-year-old has averaged 5.9 yards on 226 carries since the Ravens selected him 55th overall in the 2020 Draft, but he's missed more games (27) than he's played (23) and has caught only 25 passes. Dobbins should be at least somewhat more active as a pass catcher under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who told reporters Thursday that he's excited to see Dobbins on the field and knows the Ravens "certainly are better with him" out there. Dobbins was with the team during minicamp despite not practicing and said he'd ideally like to spend the rest of his career with the Ravens, but things could become more tenuous if he still doesn't have a new contract later this summer.

Thompson was waived by New Orleans on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Thompson went undrafted this year and signed with the Saints last month before they cut him Thursday. At Texas Tech, the running back accumulated 2,664 yards on the ground and 526 yards through the air with 41 total touchdowns over his five-year college career.

Edwards (undisclosed) returned to practice for June minicamp, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

He missed OTAs the week prior, with coach John Harbaugh suggesting it was a matter of caution rather than a setback or serious injury. Edwards missed all of 2021 and the first six games of 2022 after suffering an ACL tear in the 2021 preseason, then sat out an additional three games last November with a hamstring injury. He and the Ravens reached an agreement in March to reduce his salary for the upcoming season, the final year of his contract, though the remaining money is guaranteed and he can earn the rest back via incentives. Edwards thus stands as the favorite to land second on the depth chart behind J.K. Dobbins, who missed June minicamp with a soft tissue injury that Harbaugh doesn't consider serious. Behind those two, the Ravens have fifth-year pro Justice Hill and undrafted rookies Keaton Mitchell and Owen Wright

Dobbins was held out of June minicamp with a soft tissue injury, Kevin Eck of the Ravens' official website reports.

Coach John Harbaugh suggested the injury occurred earlier this offseason, saying he'd thought Dobbins would be ready for June minicamp and still expects him to be fine for the start of training camp in late July, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. The 24-year-old has another breakout opportunity ahead in the final season of his rookie contract, after an ACL tear cost him all of 2021 and led to mid-season arthroscopic surgery in 2022. Dobbins looked like his old self once he recovered from the procedure en route to 505 total yards in five games (including playoffs) while averaging 6.6 YPC. He's locked in as the lead runner in Baltimore and should see more targets under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, though Gus Edwards is still around to poach some carries while Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell are candidates to handle passing situations.