NFL Player News

Harris, who reportedly had surgery to repair his injured pinkie, is a candidate to be placed on the 2020 version of IR that allows players to return after three weeks, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reports.

Such a move is hardly a lock, but it's an option for the team if it feels that Harris could benefit from a cautious approach, with Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead healthy as Week 1 approaches. Harris' strong training camp has him poised to carve out a role -- when healthy -- in the Patriots' backfield after limited usage as a rookie. In any case, until or unless long-term injuries or roster moves thin out the team's running back depth chart, a committee approach seems likely, with Michel the prime candidate for early-down work if Harris is unavailable to start the season.

Phillips has been signed to the Texans' practice squad, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Phillips was one of two running backs added to the practice squad -- former Seahawk C.J. Prosise was the other. Phillips was an undrafted free agent in 2020 out of the University of Mississippi.

Taylor cleared waivers Sunday and landed on the Patriots' practice squad, Andrew Callahan of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 5-foot-5, 185-pound running back was seeking a change-of-pace role, but the Patriots are set at the position with Sony Michel, Damien Harris (finger), James White and Rex Burkhead returning to the lineup.

Huntley was claimed off waivers by the Eagles on Sunday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Huntley was a surprise cut by the Lions on Sunday, despite being a fifth-round pick and having a solid training camp. With Miles Sanders (lower body) on track for Week 1, Huntley will likely have to assume a depth and special teams role to start the 2020 campaign.

Robinson has a chance to carve out an early-season role in Jacksonville's backfield, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

With Leonard Fournette no longer in the mix, coach Doug Marrone indicated that out of the gate the team's backfield strategy will be "situation and matchup-based." Ryquell Armstead is currently on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list. Robinson, an undrafted rookie, has been a pleasant surprise for the team, and it's plausible that he'll be part of an early-down rotation Week 1, possibly with Devine Ozigbo, while veteran Chris Thompson provides a change-of-pace/pass-catching presence.

Coach Doug Marrone has acknowledged that the Jaguars' approach to who gets carries out of the gate will be "situation and matchup-based," with Ozigbo, Chris Thompson and James Robinson likely candidates to see early season touches, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Ryquell Armstead is currently on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list. It was also reported Saturday that Devonta Freeman had a visit planned with the Jaguars, but as things stand, it's plausible that the team employs a committee approach out of the gate, with Thompson likely to have a high profile in passing situations and the team's other active backs rotating on early downs. Ozigbo should be part of that mix, but it may not be until the team resumes practice -- and it's reported how first-team reps are handled -- that we'll have more than a speculative take on Jacksonville's potential Week 1 carry allotment.

Swift (undisclosed) is facing additional backfield competition for reps from Adrian Peterson, who signed a one-year contract with the Lions on Sunday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Swift and Kerryon Johnson are still expected to handle a bulk of the workload to begin the season, but Peterson has commanded carries at every stop during his 13-year career, so he'll cut into their touches to some degree. It doesn't help that Swift has missed so many practices with an undisclosed injury, but once he's healthy, the rookie second-round pick is expected to pull away as the lead back. He's clearly the most dynamic of the bunch and has impressed with his pass-catching ability early in camp. Peterson can't compete with Swift in the latter, so he should be considered a dependable, veteran backup that may chip away at Swift's ceiling but leaves a consistent workload for the rookie.

Barner (lower body) was let go by Baltimore on Saturday, Morgan Adsit of Fox Baltimore reports.

Barner was dealing with an injury that forced him to miss some of the later stages of camp, so it's likely that contributed to his release. The depth tailback and return specialist will look to find opportunity elsewhere, perhaps returning to Baltimore on its practice squad.

Johnson made the Browns' 53-man roster, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Johnson slots in at third on the depth chart behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. He beat out Dontrell Hilliard, who could return as a member of the practice squad. Johnson also has experience as a kick returner. He had four carries and seven targets in 16 games last season.

Hasty was waived by the 49ers on Saturday.

Hasty signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in April and was impressive in training camp, featuring elusiveness and a strong pass-catching ability. Despite the strong showing, the 49ers are keeping only experienced running backs with Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson making the final roster. The 49ers will look to retain Hasty on the practice squad if he clears waivers.