NFL Player News

Patterson said he plans to return kickoffs this year, hoping to set an NFL record of nine career kick return touchdowns, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.comreports.

The 31-year-old former wideout is coming off his best NFL season on the offensive side of the ball, where he managed 1,166 total yards and 11 TDs in a struggling Atlanta offense. He's currently tied for the all-time lead with eight TDs on kickoffs, and Patterson said he'd give up the task once he set the record. For fantasy purposes, it's a minor concern, with the bigger issues being Patterson's workload, health and performance. He shared work with Mike Davis last season even when Davis continued to struggle, and the Falcons now have Damien Williams and fifth-round rookie Tyler Allgeier joining Qadree Ollison as competition for backfield snaps. Patterson is still the best athlete of the bunch at age 31, but his role is hardly airtight after he averaged only 31. 8 total yards over the final five games of last season.

Coach John Harbaugh acknowledged Tuesday that he's not sure if Edwards (knee) will be ready for Week 1, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

It's particularly interesting given that Harbaugh said he's more optimistic about Baltimore's other players on PUP. That includes fellow running back J.K. Dobbins, whose ACL tear reportedly was accompanied by damage to other ligaments. Edwards was reported to have a clean tear, though he did suffer it a couple weeks after his teammate. With both on the PUP list to start training camp, the Ravens signed Corey Clement on Tuesday to compete for snaps with Mike Davis, rookie fifth-round pick Tyler Badie and 2021 UDFA Nate McCrary.

Coach Mike Vrabel doesn't anticipate Henry participating in any preseason games, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

That's not much of a surprise, with Henry bouncing back from a foot injury that limited him to eight regular-season games in 2021 and firmly entrenched as the Titans' lead back. On the plus side, the 28-year-old has indicated that he's past his foot issue, but there's little incentive for the team's coaching staff to expose Henry to unnecessary injury risk ahead of Week 1. Meanwhile, with D'Onta Foreman having signed with the Panthers this offseason, Hassan Haskins and Dontrell Hilliard are currently in line to compete for complementary touches behind Henry, who's destined to maintain a high volume of carries for Tennessee when healthy.

McNichols has signed with the Steelers.

The 2017 fifth-rounder gives the Steelers added running back depth following the team's release of Trey Edmunds. McNichols is coming off a 2021 campaign with the Titans in which he carried 41 times for 156 yards over 14 games while adding 28 catches on 38 targets for 240 yards and a TD. With Pittsburgh, McNichols will compete with Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland for snaps and touches behind the team's undisputed top back, Najee Harris.

Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that he doesn't expect any changes to McCaffrey's preseason routine, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The 26-year-old running back missed 13 games in 2020 and 10 more in 2021, after starting his career with three consecutive 16-game seasons, including a legendary 2019 in which he outscored every other player by at least 55 PPR points (and every RB by at least 155). That upside has McCaffrey going top 5 in fantasy leagues this summer, even with the injury concerns and Carolina's shaky situation at quarterback, where Baker Mayfield will challenge Sam Darnold for the starting job. McCaffrey hasn't touched the ball in a preseason game since 2019 and has stayed healthy throughout training camp each year, with all his injuries instead occurring during regular-season action (always a risk when handling so many snaps and touches). The good news is that he didn't have to rehab from surgery this offseason, and it seems he's been healthy since the spring (or even earlier) after ending 2021 on injured reserve with a sprained ankle. The Panthers signed D'Onta Foreman to compete with Chuba Hubbard for the backup RB job, but neither figures to see many carries behind McCaffrey when the Panthers host the Browns in their regular-season opener Sunday, Sept. 11.

Clement signed a contract with the Ravens on Monday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Clement inked a deal with Baltimore after also working out for the running-back needy team Monday. The 27-year-old totaled 140 yards on 33 carries over 17 games with the Cowboys last season, though the majority of his 368 total snaps played came on special teams (297). With presumed starters J.K. Dobbins (knee) and Gus Edwards (knee) still on the active/PUP list, Clement should compete for a depth role alongside running backs Mike Davis, Justice Hill (Achilles) and Tyler Badie.

As training camp approaches, Taylor continues to head an Indianapolis backfield that also includes returnee Nyheim Hines and newcomer Phillip Lindsay, Kevin Hickey of USA Today reports.

Taylor thus is set to reprise his lead role this coming season, one that yielded a league-high 1,811 rushing yards to go along with 18 TDs on 322 carries in 17 games in 2021. The 23-year-old also chipped in 40 catches on 51 targets for 360 yards and two more scores in an effort that has his name currently atop most 2022 fantasy draft boards. While Taylor is the team's clear-cut top early-down option and in the process is poised to maintain elite fantasy status, Hines will continue to provide a pass-catching/change-of-pace presence out of the Colts backfield, with Lindsay the favorite to secure the team's No. 3 RB role now that Marlon Mack is no longer in the mix. Also vying for depth chart slotting will be Deon Jackson, Ty'Son Williams, D'Vonte Price and CJ Verdell.

Mostert (knee) announced via his personal Twitter account Monday that he has received medical clearance.

Mostert will take the field when Dolphins' veterans report for training camp Tuesday, which is a positive development as he works to return to 100 percent health by Week 1. The 30-year-old veteran stands to spend training camp competing with Sony Michel for work in what looks to be a developing backfield by committee, one which fellow newcomer Chase Edmonds is the presumed favorite to lead. Holdovers Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed look slated for depth roles, if they crack the final roster.

Robinson (Achilles) will not begin training camp on the PUP list, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Coach Doug Pederson said Robinson's ability to avoid the PUP list to open camp "says a lot." Still, Pederson said the plan remains to "be cautious with [Robinson] and make sure he's ready when he's ready," an indication that the team won't rush the running back in his recovery. With 2021 first-round pick Travis Etienne in the fold and eager to make an impression on the NFL field, the Jaguars have the luxury of being able to take a cautious approach toward Robinson's recovery from a torn Achilles that he suffered in late December. It remains to be seen when Robinson will receive clearance to resume practicing in full, but all signs indicate his recovery process has been positive thus far. Sidestepping the PUP list to begin training camp offers reason for encouragement about Robinson's chances of being available Week 1, or at least much earlier than expected.

Davis-Price has an opportunity to secure the primary backup role to Elijah Mitchell in training camp, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mitchell had a breakout rookie campaign in 2021, so there's no controversy as to who will head the 49ers backfield this season. However, the change-of-pace/backup role is up for grabs, and Davis-Price is in prime position to prove his meddle and claim the job if he can outperform veteran Jeff Wilson and San Francisco's third-round pick from a year ago, Trey Sermon. From a fantasy perspective, Davis-Price shouldn't project to be an impact player Week 1 if Mitchell stays healthy this preseason, but the former possesses the north-south physical running style to produce rushing stats and touchdown potential should he be called upon to start this season.