NFL Player News

The Chiefs have signed Ronald Jones to work in tandem with Edwards-Helaire this coming season, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Signing Jones addresses a void in the team's backfield, with Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon still unsigned in free agency. The former Buccaneer will now pair with Edwards-Helaire, creating the potential for a time-share that could hamper the weekly volume of the duo, when both are available. That said, in an offense that will no longer have explosive wideout Tyreek Hill to throw to, it's plausible that the Chiefs running backs, including Edwards-Helaire, will be presented with more receiving opportunities in 2022. Though it's possible that the team will continue to bring in additional skill players via free agency and/or the draft, for now things are set up for Edwards-Helaire and Jones to compete for RB slotting this summer.

Ollison signed a one-year deal with the Falcons on Monday.

Ollison finished the 2021 campaign with 21 rushes for 105 yards and one touchdown, while adding four receptions for 12 yards. With Atlanta returning Cordarrelle Patterson and Mike Davis, Ollison figures to compete with free-agent signee Damien Williams for a reserve role to start the 2022 campaign.

Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that there's a "chance" both Edwards (knee) and backfield mate J.K. Dobbins (knee) begin training camp on the PUP list, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Edwards and Dobbins both suffered torn ACLs last offseason and subsequently spent the entire 2021 campaign sidelined. Though the backfield tandem may not be ready for the start of training camp, it appears that there's not yet reason for concern about either Dobbins' or Edwards' recoveries. "We'll probably play it safe a little bit with those guys and take our time and just bring them along for the season," Harbaugh said. Assuming neither running back encounters any setbacks, Dobbins would be the favorite to operate as the No. 1 option Week 1 of the 2022 season, while Edwards should be primed for a valuable complementary role.

Coach John Harbaugh said Monday there's a "chance" that Dobbins (knee) begins training camp on the PUP list, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Harbaugh said both Dobbins and Gus Edwards (knee), who both missed the 2021 campaign due to torn ACLs, could need to start training camp on the PUP list. "We'll probably play it safe a little bit with those guys and take our time and just bring them along for the season," Harbaugh said. Dobbins still appears on track to return to full health in time for the start of the 2022 campaign, and there's not yet any indication that his recovery has run into any sort of setback. The fact that the Ravens have avoided any notable running back additions during free agency would appear to speak to the team's confidence in both Dobbins' and Edwards' recoveries.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Monday that he expects Etienne (foot) to take part in workouts early in the team's offseason program, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Etienne had his entire rookie season wiped out after the 2021 first-round pick suffered a Lisfranc injury in the preseason that later required surgery. Heading into last season, Etienne was expected to work in tandem out of the backfield with James Robinson and handle a key role in the passing game, but the Clemson product may head into the offseason as the Jaguars' clear No. 1 back while Robinson works his way back from the torn Achilles' tendon he suffered in late December. Pederson already has ruled Robinson out through OTAs and minicamp, potentially giving Etienne a chance to log most of the first-team work if he's ready to go early in the offseason program, as the coach predicts. Beyond Etienne and Robinson, the Jaguars have little in the way of proven depth in the backfield, as the other three running backs on the roster (Ryquell Armstead, Mekhi Sargent and Nathan Cottrell) have combined for 56 career carries.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Monday that Robinson (Achilles) won't participate in OTAs, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Meanwhile, Pederson noted that Travis Etienne (foot), the other Jacksonville running back recovering from a long-term injury, is on track to rejoin the team for workouts early during the offseason program. Robinson's recovery from the torn left Achilles' tendon he suffered in late December looks as though it'll extend into training camp in late July, and it's far from a given that he'll be a full participant in practices by then. The track record of players returning from Achilles surgery isn't overly encouraging, and the fact that Robinson suffered his injury late last season and faces strong competition from Etienne -- a 2021 first-round pick -- renders Robinson a risky fantasy investment heading into 2022.

Jones (ankle) will sign a one-year contract with the Chiefs, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

After a career-best 978 rushing yards in 2020, Jones fell behind Leonard Fournette in the rotation last season, finishing the campaign with only 101 carries for 428 yards and four touchdowns. He's landed in a pretty favorable spot, joining a running back room that's proven to be underwhelming so far. Jones should have an opportunity to compete for reps alongside Clyde Edwards-Helaire, especially with Darrel Williams on the free-agent market.

Ahmed, who was an exclusive rights free agent, has signed his contract tender with the Dolphins, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 23-year-old logged 54 carries for 149 yards and added 12 catches on 19 targets for 117 yards in 12 games with the Dolphins in 2021. This coming season, Ahmed, along with Myles Gaskin and Gerrid Doaks, slots into a depth role in Miami's backfield, behind Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert. It's a context that limits Ahmed's fantasy upside so long as the team's top duo remains healthy and available.

Wilson agreed Wednesday with the 49ers on a new contract, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old running back first latched on with the 49ers as an undrafted rookie in 2018, and he'll now stick in San Francisco for a fifth straight season. During his run with the team, Wilson has made nine starts -- including four in 2021 -- despite opening the season third or fourth on the team's depth chart most years. Heading into the 2022 season, Wilson will likely be behind Elijah Mitchell, at the very least, and he could also face additional competition for backup work if the Niners bring in another veteran and/or a draft pick. For now, the team has Mitchell, Wilson, Trey Sermon and JaMycal Hasty, with each of the four seemingly healthy after dealing with various injuries throughout 2021.

Blasingame signed a one-year contract with the Bears on Tuesday, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

Blasingame was not tendered a contract by the Titans and will now join the Bears as a free agent. The 25-year-old appeared in 11 games last season, compiling six yards on three carries and two receptions for four yards on two targets. However, Blasingame's value comes as a blocker, and he helped lead the way for Derrick Henry for parts of the last three seasons, including when Henry led the league in rushing in 2019 and 2020. He'll now work to help David Montgomery gain extra yards in 2022.