NFL Player News

Phillips (ankle) worked out with the Colts on Monday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Phillips sustained a season-ending ankle injury in Week 9 last year and was placed on injured reserve by the Texans in early May. However, he was let go with an injury settlement in mid-June and appears to be healthy since he's now working out for other teams.

Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that he isn't sure whether Walker (abdomen) will play during Seattle's Week 1 matchup against the Broncos on Monday, Sept. 12, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Carroll said that Walker "worked some" by doing running and catching during Monday's practice, but the rookie's availability to begin the regular season remains up in the air due to his ongoing recovery from a hernia procedure. If Walker ultimately is unavailable for the Seahawks' season opener, Rashaad Penny would serve as the team's clear lead back, while Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas likely would compete for touches in reserve roles.

Ward (shoulder) practiced Monday and is close to 100 percent, Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ward sustained a shoulder injury during the Cardinals' second preseason game in mid-August, and he's been considered day-to-day recently. It's not yet clear whether he faced any limitations during Monday's practice session, but it seems like he has a chance to be back to full health in time for the Cardinals' Week 1 matchup against Kansas City on Sunday.

The Jets waived Knight on Monday, Ethan Greenberg of the team's official site reports.

Knight signed with the Jets in May as an undrafted free agent out of NC State, where he rushed 140 times for 753 yards and three scores during his final collegiate campaign. He impressed during training camp and rushed 15 times for 53 yards across three preseason contests. Knight initially made the team's 53-man roster, but he's been waived to make room for the Jets to re-sign veteran offensive lineman Conor McDermott.

Snell is listed as the No. 3 running back on the Steelers' Week 1 depth chart, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Although Snell earned a spot on the 53-man roster over Anthony McFarland, undrafted rookie Jaylen Warren appears poised to begin the season as the team's top backup behind starting running back Najee Harris. Snell rushed just 36 times for 98 yards while securing two of four targets for 13 yards despite appearing in every game for the Steelers last season, and he's unlikely to have a significant fantasy role in 2022 as long as Harris remains healthy.

Warren is listed as the No. 2 running back on the Steelers' Week 1 depth chart, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Warren's listing as Pittsburgh's backup running back doesn't come as a significant surprise, as he beat out Anthony McFarland for a spot on the 53-man roster and drew praise from the team's coaching staff during the offseason and preseason. The Steelers have expressed a desire to give Najee Harris some more plays off in 2022, but none of the team's depth players in the backfield were able to carve out much of a fantasy role last year. While Warren seems to be the preferred option over Benny Snell heading into the regular season, both running backs likely will face an uphill battle to earn touches as long as Harris remains healthy.

Coach Doug Pederson said Monday that Robinson (Achilles) will take the field during Sunday's regular-season opener against the Commanders, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Robinson has managed an impressive recovery from a left Achilles tear sustained late last December. That said, exactly how involved Robinson will be versus Washington remains uncertain, as the Jaguars also have 2021 first-round pick Travis Etienne back to full health after having missed his rookie year due to a Lisfranc injury. It's well within the realm of possibility that Jacksonville takes a cautious approach to Robinson's return and has his involvement ramp up as the season progresses. Fantasy managers may prefer to monitor Robinson's workload Week 1 before relying on him in starting lineups.

As Week 1 approaches, Williams is part of a Falcons backfield that also includes Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Allgeier and Avery Williams.

Looking ahead to Sunday's season opener against the Saints, the versatile Cordarrelle Patterson, whose reps the Falcons limited this summer, figures to see his share of touches, but Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site suggests that Damien Williams could also factor in, with rookie Tyler Allgeier also in the mix. In that context, it remains to be seen how the team's carries are allocated, with Williams' looming workload tied in larger part to how may conventional running back carries (versus plays in which he moves around the formation) Patterson logs.

The Texans released Mack from the practice squad Monday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Mack was cut from the practice squad to make room for Chris Conley. Mack once appeared to be a candidate to win the starting role in Houston's backfield, but he now may have to search for a depth opportunity elsewhere in the league. Rookie fourth-round pick Dameon Pierce looks primed to start Week 1 against the Colts for the Texans.

Williams made the Falcons' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, Jeff Schultz of The Athletic reports.

Williams, a fifth-round pick out of Boise State last year, was drafted as a defensive back, but as a rookie, he made his biggest impact as a return man, totaling 490 kick-return yards and 152 punt-return yards. The Falcons transitioned Williams to a running back this offseason with the hope of capitalizing on some of his return skills, similar to how Atlanta revitalized converted wideout Cordarrelle Patterson's career last year. Williams is projected to be the top return man again this year, but barring injuries, he likely won't garner a major offensive role.