NFL Player News

McNichols (undisclosed) was added to the team's PUP list Saturday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

It's unclear what type of injury McNichols might be suffering from, but given the lack of additional information provided in the announcement, it's likely not a serious issue. McNichols emerged as Tennessee's preferred backup behind Derrick Henry last season, but a healthy Darrynton Evans and newly signed Brian Hill each could make a case for the role if McNichols misses extended time throughout the preseason.

Williams signed his rookie contract with the Broncos on Saturday.

With the formality now complete, the 2021 second-round pick is thus set to showcase his skillset during Denver's training camp. While there's still plenty of ambiguity regarding Williams' week-to-week role ahead of his rookie campaign, it seems all but certain a tandem of Melvin Gordon and Williams will dominate the backfield touches provided both stay healthy.

Assistant head coach Duce Staley made it sound like Swift's role could significantly grow in 2021, suggesting that the "star" and "three-down back" could have 25 touches per game, Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reports.

Staley's comments are clearly an exaggeration considering no running back reached 25 touches per game in 2020. The only one who came close to reaching that feat, Derrick Henry, wasn't sharing time with another running back like Swift probably will be with Jamaal Williams, who was guaranteed over $3 million by Detroit in free agency this spring. However, given how many high-value touches Swift is expected to see in the passing game and around the goal line this year, the second-year pro probably won't need to see Henry-level usage to pay off his rising third-round ADP. After all, someone like Alvin Kamara -- who Swift is regularly compared to -- became a fantasy stalwart without ever topping 18.4 touches per game in any one season.

Barkley (knee) will begin training camp on the Giants' preseason PUP list, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Given that Barkley is bouncing back from late-October surgery last year to repair an ACL tear, it's no surprise that he'll be eased back into the mix this summer. Per the report, the Giants' star running back continues to make progress and will be eligible to be activated by the team at any point once training camp gets going.

Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady said McCaffrey's injuries from last season shouldn't affect his 2021 workload, Jonathan Alexander of the Charlotte Observer reports.

McCaffrey had a strong track record of durability prior to last year, and he returned healthy for the offseason program this spring after battling a series of injuries in 2020. The Panthers did use a fourth-round pick on running back Chuba Hubbard, but they also let Mike Davis sign with the division-rival Falcons, leaving McCaffrey as the only running back on the roster with significant NFL experience. It sounds like he'll be in his usual three-down role Week 1, locked in as a high-end RB1 for fantasy managers.

The Patriots have placed Stevenson (undisclosed) on the active/Non-Football Injury list, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

It's unclear what's keeping the rookie fourth-round pick off the field, but Stevenson can come off the list and practice at any time during training camp. Once he's deemed fit to rejoin his teammates, Stevenson will look to carve out a role in New England's backfield, which is currently headed by Damien Harris.

Funk will move up the depth chart after teammate Cam Akers suffered a torn Achilles, but the rookie still looks to be behind Darrell Henderson and Xavier Jones in the Rams backfield, Kevin Modesti of The Orange County Register reports.

This is the type of situation where a little-known player could make an impact, but as a rookie seventh-round pick, Funk will need to earn a roster spot first and foremost. He was a backup throughout most of his college career at Maryland, before taking 60 carries for 516 yards and three touchdowns in five games his senior season. Funk then boosted his draft stock with a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, ultimately landing in Los Angeles on draft day with the 233rd overall pick. In addition to Henderson, Jones and Funk, the Rams have scatbacks Raymond Calais and Otis Anderson on their roster. The team could still add veteran help, but most reports suggest they'll avoid a big-name addition.

The Rams haven't officially ruled Akers out for the season, but tests confirm he suffered a torn Achilles, Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The injury typically requires surgery and then a recovery timeline of at least eight months, but Akers will gather more information before making anything official. Adam Schefter of ESPN and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network both report the 2020 second-round pick is expected to miss the entire 2021 season, leaving Darrell Henderson as the presumed leader of a thin Rams backfield. Henderson was effective as the lead runner in a committee during the first half of last season, before injuries and Akers' strong play led to a diminished role down the stretch. Henderson might even get a look in a three-down role this year, considering the backfield alternatives on the roster are Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, Raymond Calais and Otis Anderson. The team lost Malcolm Brown to Miami in free agency and hasn't signed a veteran replacement -- at least, not yet.

Akers suffered a torn Achilles while training recently, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Following a strong finish to his rookie campaign, the 2020 second-round pick appeared ready for a starring role in the Los Angeles backfield. Instead, he'll begin a lengthy rehab process, hoping to return to practice next spring/summer. With Akers out for the season, the Rams are left with Darrell Henderson, Xavier Jones, Raymond Calais, Otis Anderson and Jake Funk in the backfield. They'll likely add a running back (or two) via free agency or trade in the coming days.

Mills is competing with Jermar Jefferson and Michael Warren for the No. 3 job at running back, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

With Kerryon Johnson out of the picture, Detroit's remaining depth options at running back will duke it out for snaps behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. However, Mills and Warren seem to have an uphill battle to come away with the job considering Jefferson clearly drew the strongest reviews during the offseason program.