NFL Player News

Sermon appears to be "1B to Raheem Mostert's 1A" in the San Francisco backfield, according to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic.

Mostert averaged 13 carries and two receptions in eight starts last season, so there's room for another runner to make an impact even if the speedy 29-year-old keeps his starting job and stays healthy. Sermon already got some work with the first-team offense during the 49ers' offseason program and is now continuing that at training camp, while fellow back Jeff Wilson (knee) remains in danger of missing the first half of the upcoming season. Wayne Gallman is the lone veteran behind Mostert in the San Francisco backfield, with the other options being 2020 UDFA JaMycal Hasty and 2021 UDFA Elijah Mitchell.

Barkley (knee) worked with the Giants' training staff while his teammates practiced Wednesday, Art Stapleton of northjersey.com reports.

Barkley will reside on the PUP list until he's cleared to practice, but that didn't stop him from chatting with his healthy teammates and going through some individual drills in shorts and a hoodie. The 24-year-old running back has refused to comment on his expectations for returning to practice or games, after he was held out of the offseason program while finishing up his rehab from late-October surgery. With Barkley still out, Devontae Booker should get regular work alongside Daniel Jones and the first-team offense.

The Chiefs placed Thompson on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Thompson hasn't necessarily tested positive for the virus, but he'll need to clear the NFL's health and safety protocols before rejoining the team. The 24-year-old is expected to fill a depth role in the backfield for Kansas City behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon this season.

Johnson wasn't present for the start of training camp Wednesday while attending the birth of his first child, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Johnson should return to the team by the end of the week.

Penny (knee) was a full participant during the first practice of training camp Wednesday, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

The 25-year-old avoided the PUP list to open camp and is apparently fully healthy after undergoing a cleanup procedure during the offseason that sidelined him for June minicamp. It's a make-or-break year for Penny, who was limited to three games in 2020 and is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He's poised to begin the season as Seattle's No. 2 tailback behind starter Chris Carson.

The Rams placed Akers (Achilles) on the active/non-football injury list Wednesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Akers is a little more than a week removed from suffering a torn Achilles' tendon, which typically would give a player no shot to return this season due to it occurring so close to Week 1. However, the Rams have yet to rule him out for the 2021 campaign, per Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News, as the team continues to evaluate the injury. For the time being, the Rams will rely on a backfield composed of Darrell Henderson (undisclosed), Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, Raymond Calais and Otis Anderson.

Drake (undisclosed) is considered "day-to-day," with the aim of returning to practice Friday, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Drake worked on the side at Wednesday's practice, and the Raiders eventually placed him on the non-football injury list. The nature of his injury is unknown, but considering he may practice by week's end, it clearly isn't severe. With Jalen Richard (undisclosed) and Theo Riddick (undisclosed) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the number of running backs currently available at Las Vegas' training camp has been cut in half.

Raiders placed Drake (undisclosed) on the active/non-football injury list Wednesday.

Las Vegas has yet to announce an injury for Drake, but Tashan Reed of The Athletic noted that the running back was off to the side working with the Raiders' training staff during practice Wednesday. With Jalen Richard and Theo Riddick both having landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team's backfield depth is being taxed early on in training camp.

Felton took part in drills with the Cleveland running backs Wednesday during the first practice of training camp, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Felton has the skill set to play either running back or wide receiver, but the Browns appear content to use him in the former role, at least initially. The rookie sixth-round pick will compete with D'Ernest Johnson for the No. 3 job on a running back depth chart that has Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt cemented as the top two options.

Penny (knee) isn't on the PUP list to begin training camp, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Even if he's a limited participant initially, Penny's ability to avoid the PUP list is an encouraging sign after he was held out of June minicamp. He had a cleanup procedure earlier this offseason on his left knee, the same one in which he suffered an ACL tear in December 2019. Despite playing just three games in his first season back from the injury, Penny now has a shot to win the second spot on the depth chart, as Seattle's other options behind starter Chris Carson are DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer (calf), Alex Collins and a pair of players who have yet to play an NFL snap (Josh Johnson and Cameron Scarlett). Penny should have a chance to establish some value in the final year of his rookie contract, though he's unlikely to ever live up to his first-round pedigree.