NFL Player News

Edwards is listed as a co-starter on Baltimore's depth chart for the preseason opener.

J.K. Dobbins has been expected to be the leader of the backfield this season, but Edwards carries enough cachet to warrant a significant role as well. The 26-year-old signed a two-year, $10 million extension this offseason and has averaged a strong 5.2 YPC over 414 career carries in three seasons, and he is particularly effective in short-yardage situations, gaining positive yardage at an 86.8 percent clip. Even if Dobbins is the snap count leader, Edwards projects to see plenty of work as well.

Jefferson will miss some practice time due to an ankle injury, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Coach Dan Campbell said the Lions "do not think it's serious" with regard to Jefferson's injury, adding that "it doesn't look like it's a high ankle [sprain]." That said, it's looking like the rookie seventh-round pick's availability for Friday's preseason game against the Bills could be in danger. If Jefferson can't go Friday, or is limited, all of Dedrick Mills, Michael Warren and Godwin Igwebuike will be candidates to see increased work.

Evans was listed alongside Brian Hill as the Titans' second running back on the first official depth chart of the season, Gentry Estes of the Tennessean reports.

Evans was expected to battle with Hill and Jeremy McNichols for the team's second running back job. That Evans is already listed ahead of McNichols is a significant step forward, as he was sidelined for large portions of his rookie campaign with hamstring and shoulder injuries. Of course, even if he wins the backup job, Evans will not see significant touches without an injury to Derrick Henry.

Jefferson left Monday's practice due to a leg injury, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Jefferson had a strong start to camp and was expected to have a large role in Friday's preseason opener against the Bills as he competes for the No. 3 running back role ahead of Week 1. The severity of the rookie's injury isn't yet known, but Dedrick Mills, Michael Warren and Godwin Igwebuike could see increased work if Jefferson is limited or held out Friday.

Swift (groin) has missed "significant practice time" recently, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Swift has been limited since he left Wednesday's practice due to groin tightness. While the 2020 second-rounder has suited up nearly every day, he hasn't been able to participate much in 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills. The Lions haven't yet announced whether Swift will be available for Friday's preseason game against Buffalo, but any limitations presumably would lead to increased work with the first-team offense for Jamaal Williams.

Kelley is listed behind both Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree on the team's first official depth chart release, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

It's a pretty jarring statement considering the Chargers drafted Kelley in the fourth round just one year ago, but it reflects what occurred towards the end of 2020 when the rookie was a healthy scratch in two of the final four games. Rountree often has been mentioned as a legitimate short-yardage threat, giving the 2021 sixth-round pick a more defined role than Kelley and adding yet another strike against the latter's quest towards retaining a roster spot. At this point, Kelley might need an excellent preseason in order to claim a spot on the active roster, much less the coveted backup role behind stalwart Austin Ekeler.

Perine is listed second on the Jets' initial unofficial depth chart behind Tevin Coleman.

It's good to see Perine ahead of Ty Johnson, but he's realistically behind both Coleman and rookie Michael Carter. While Carter surprisingly is listed fourth here, his frequent reps with the first-team offense and glowing reviews from the coaching staff suggest it's a matter of when -- not if -- he moves up the depth chart. There were some worries that Perine would be a cut candidate after a forgettable rookie season, but he should have no trouble securing a roster spot given his placement on the depth chart.

Rich Cimini of ESPN.com suggests that while Carter "might not be the (Jets') starting running back, per se," the fourth-rounder's "early work with the first team suggests he will be involved."

Based on Carter's ADP this summer, it's clear that the North Carolina product is viewed as the upside play in the Jets backfield, which could well emerge as a committee situation early on this season. Even if the rookie isn't officially acknowledged as the team's top back once Week 1 rolls around, we expect him to make a mark out of the gate, nonetheless, with the 5-foot-8, 201-pounder's pass-catching ability providing utility to the team's offense. In the Jets' initial unofficial depth chart, posted by the team's PR staff, Carter is listed behind Tevin Coleman, La'Mical Perine and Ty Johnson, but that's a listing that probably should be taken with a grain of salt, given that it's not uncommon for teams to place rookies on their preseason depth charts lower than what their practice reps/potential workload might otherwise suggest.

Jefferson is off to a great start to training camp, strengthening his case for the third spot on the depth chart, according to Nick Baumgardner and Chris Burke of The Athletic.

Jefferson finished the second week of training camp in the driver's seat for the No. 3 role, ahead of Dedrick Mills, Michael Warren and Godwin Igwebuike. With lead back D'Andre Swift (groin) absent from Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage, Jamaal Williams worked with the first-team offense while Jefferson repped with the second-stringers, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The rookie seventh-round pick figures to make his NFL debut Friday night in Detroit's preseason opener against Buffalo.

Jones wasn't present at Monday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Two days removed from the Packers' Family Night scrimmage, Jones isn't taking part in on-field drills, instead focusing on rehabbing his hamstring. The injury may be a minor one, but the team won't take any chances with their highly paid running back. He put pen to paper on a four-year, $48 million contract back in March, and with Jamaal Williams moving on to the Lions in the offseason, Jones and second-year pro AJ Dillon are the top two RBs in Green Bay.