NFL Player News

Gibson (hamstring) may cede short-yardage work to rookie Brian Robinson, who has been getting a lot of first-team snaps in the opening days of training camp, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Gibson's absence due to the hamstring injury is obviously a factor, but the report suggests Robinson would have a role with the starters even if Washington's No. 1 back didn't have any injury concerns. Gibson has been bothered by his hamstring since June 7/8, with coach Ron Rivera suggesting Wednesday that the 24-year-old will ramp up his workload on the side before rejoining teammates in practice. It sounds like the team still expects Gibson to be fine for Week 1, but we need only look at Curtis Samuel last season to remember that soft-tissue injuries always need to be monitored carefully.

Robinson likely will get short-yardage carries this season, and he's already getting extra work in practice while Antonio Gibson recovers from a hamstring injury, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Standig suggests the Commanders want Gibson to get more touches in space and fewer between the tackles, perhaps relying on his excellent athleticism more and his questionable vision less. Robinson could take some of that work off Gibson's plate, with the rookie third-round pick potentially forming a timeshare with J.D. McKissic in the event Gibson's injury woes stretch into the regular season. Robinson reportedly got most of the first-team backfield snaps through the first couple days of training camp.

Pollard has been taking snaps in the slot at training camp and says he anticipates more playing time this year, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Dual-halfback formations tend to be more summer talking points than fall reality, but it makes sense for a Dallas team with shaky depth at wide receiver and tight end. The Cowboys traded Amari Cooper in the offseason and expect Michael Gallup (ACL) to miss time in September, leaving James Washington and rookie Jalen Tolbert among the favorites to pick up snaps. Given that context, formations with both Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott on the field sound better, especially compared to last season when it often would've mean taking a healthy Gallup off the field. It's also possible Pollard subs in for Elliott more often as the lone back, though Elliott says he feels better this year after playing through a PCL injury last season.

Mitchell (knee) worked with the first-team offense at San Francisco's first practice of training camp, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mitchell underwent a cleanup procedure in his knee after his rookie season, but it's safe to say he's back to full health, as the 49ers would have no reason to rush his return at this stage of the offseason. Per Dieter Kurtenbach of The Mercury News, Jeff Wilson, Trey Sermon and rookie Tyrion Davis-Price all looked impressive as well, but a healthy Mitchell should open the season as the clear top option in San Francisco's deep backfield.

Spiller has impressed as a pass-catcher in training camp, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Popper also notes that Spiller has spent some time on the third-team offense early on, but the rookie out of Texas A&M is still in the running to overtake Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree in the competition for the No. 2 spot on the Chargers' running back depth chart. In addition to making an impact in the passing game, Spiller also had the most impressive run out of the three at Wednesday's practice, so he seems to be emerging as the early leader to slot in behind Austin Ekeler on the depth chart.

Hill was listed as one of five healthy running backs for the Ravens on Thursday, Clifton Brown of the team's official site reports.

Hill was a limited participant during Baltimore's voluntary workouts in May while recovering from a torn Achilles suffered late last preseason. The 24-year-old running back missed the entirety of the 2021 campaign as a result of this injury, but his status as one of the team's few available tailbacks in training camp should give him a leg up heading into this coming regular season. Hill had just 12 rushing attempts for 60 yards in 2020, and he should compete with Mike Davis, Corey Clement and rookie Tyler Badie for the team's No. 3 running back spot this preseason.

Bell was tended to by the Lions' trainers for what appeared to be a hamstring injury Thursday, Jeff Risdon of USA Today reports.

Bell pulled up with apparent discomfort in his upper left leg while running routes in practice. The non-contact nature of this apparent injury seems to indicate some kind of soft tissue injury in the rookie running back's leg. If this injury does indeed prove serious, it could prove catastrophic for Bell's chances to make the Lions' final 53-man roster this coming season.

Felton has taken reps at slot receiver the first two days of camp, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.

Felton is part of a crowded running back room but has experience as a wideout. He's getting fill-in reps while David Bell (foot) is on the active/PUP list. Felton could see more reps with Anthony Schwartz sustaining a knee injury Thursday. Bell's injury is not considered serious, and the Browns will evaluate Schwartz, who left under his own power with a trainer Thursday.

Strong has been limited by an undisclosed injury early on in training camp, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

Given that he's able to participate in some capacity, it appears as though Strong's issue isn't anything major, but the sooner the 2022 fourth-rounder can get up to speed the better, with veteran change-of-pace back James White (hip) on the active/PUP list. If White isn't ready for the start of the coming season, Strong is a candidate to carve out a third-down role out of the gate, though second-year power back Rhamondre Stevenson also could see some added opportunities in the passing game in that scenario.

Dowdle (knee) was an active participant at Thursday's training camp session, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Dowdle had underwent a knee scope in May and didn't participate at OTAs, but he was back at practice for the first time Thursday. The running back produced 24 yards on seven carries while compiling 152 kick-return yards over 15 games with the Cowboys last season. Dowdle is expected to operate as a reserve option behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in 2022.