NFL Player News

Snell (undisclosed) got in some work on an exercise bike Monday, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

While he's still not ready to practice, this supports the notion that Snell's issue isn't a long-term concern. Once he returns to practice, Snell will look to solidify his backup role behind Pittsburgh's top RB option, rookie Najee Harris. Also competing for slotting in the team's backfield are Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Samuels and Kalen Ballage.

Barkley (knee) initially will be limited to individual drills in practice, but coach Joe Judge didn't dismiss the possibility of the running back playing in a preseason game, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Barkley has been removed from the PUP list and cleared for Monday's practice -- his first participation since the ACL tear last September. He's unlikely to play in the first or second preseason game, but he might make it back for the Giants' third and final exhibition Aug. 29 against the Patriots. NFL teams rarely played starters in the last week of the preseason in the past, but Judge said with the new schedule the Giants would treat the first exhibition (Aug. 14 against the Jets) the way they used to treat the last, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger. That could mean they play some starters, including Barkley, in the preseason finale, which takes place exactly two weeks before the regular-season opener Sept. 12 against Denver. A return to practice Monday gives Barkley more than a month to get ready.

Williams will miss Monday's practice with a knee injury, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Williams' absence will free up reps for Jerick McKinnon and Darwin Thompson, both hoping to win roles behind lead back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Williams was the No. 2 back for most of last season, with the Chiefs primarily using him for third downs and in their hurry-up offense. He got double-digit touches just once all season -- in one of the three games CEH missed -- and there's no guarantee of regular carries even if the Chiefs' starting RB misses time this year. Williams does seem safe for a roster spot, whereas the other guys are competing.

Barkley (knee) has been activated from the PUP list for Monday's practice, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Barkley figures to be limited in his first practice since suffering an ACL tear last September. He'll have a little over a month to get ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 12 against Denver, with Dan Duggan of The Athletic highlighting the final week of the preseason (late August) as a target for Barkley to ramp up his activity level. That doesn't necessarily mean he would play in the Giants' final preseason game Aug. 29 against New England, but either way, a return to full practice participation around that time would put Barkley on track for Week 1. His return to practice Monday is a major step toward that goal.

Foreman signed with the Falcons on Monday.

Foreman visited with Atlanta last week and now will join one of the league's thinnest backfields. He should get some chances this preseason, competing with Qadree Ollison, Cordarrelle Patterson, Javian Hawkins and Caleb Huntley behind starter Mike Davis. The 25-year-old Foreman has played just 17 games since the Texans picked him, 89th overall, in the 2017 draft.

The Giants expect Barkley (knee) to pass a physical and begin practicing Monday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

If things go according to plan, Barkley will be activated from the PUP list after missing the first two weeks of training camp. He'll presumably be limited in practice at first, but he'll have a month to progress toward full participation before the Sept. 12 season opener against Denver. While the 24-year-old running back has avoided commenting on a timeline, a recent report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggests Barkley should make his season debut between Week 1 and Week 3.

Huntley has shown great improvement over his rookie season so far in training camp, Mike Kaye of NJ.com reports.

Huntley has flashed his trademark speed in practice and apparently has made a fan of quarterback Jalen Hurts. Fellow running back (and competitor for a roster spot) Kerryon Johnson raved about the 23-year-old's development in pass protection drills, as well. The New Mexico State product also boasts ability in the return game and could carve out a niche for himself there. Huntley still has an uphill battle with Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell and Jordan Howard for one of two roster spots behind Miles Sanders and Boston Scott, however.

Penny was held out of practice Sunday due to a "minor" injury, per coach Pete Carroll, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio KJR reports.

Carroll clarified the injury as being to Penny's thigh, per John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site. Penny was joined on the sidelines by Robert Nkemdiche and D.J. Reed, but Carroll didn't seem particularly concerned about their injuries. If his thigh issue indeed is minor, look for Penny to put any doubts about his health to rest by dressing for Seattle's Aug. 14 preseason opener in Las Vegas.

Hubbard has been competing with veteran Reggie Bonnafon for the Panthers' backup tailback job during training camp, Joseph Person of The Athletic reports.

Hubbard was selected in the fourth round after a productive college career at Oklahoma State. He wasn't used often in the passing game, however, and has drawn mixed reviews in that department through training camp thus far. After Bonnafon played just two games due to injury last season, it'll be interesting to see whether he or the rookie Hubbard becomes superstar Christian McCaffrey's top understudy prior to Week 1.

Snell (undisclosed) missed his second straight practice Sunday, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The same applies to fellow RB Kalen Ballage, with neither player's absence viewed as a long-term concern. Once he's back in the mix, Snell will look to solidify his role behind top back, rookie Najee Harris. Also in the depth mix in the Steelers backfield are Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Samuels and Ballage.