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Jhurrell Pressley RB | ATL
Jhurell Pressley: Facing suspension
Pressley will face a two-game suspension once he signs with an NFL team, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The reason for Pressley's suspension remains undisclosed, but it appears the off-field issue is fully settled. The 26-year-old led the AAF in rushing with 431 yards on 96 attempts (4.5 YPC) and one touchdown through eight games, and he has two workouts with NFL teams scheduled next week.
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Trent Richardson RB | BAL
Trent Richardson: Available to sign NFL contract
The AAF announced Thursday that all players, including Richardson, are immediately authorized to sign with NFL teams.
Richardson led the league with 11 rushing touchdowns over eight games and didn't go a single week without reaching the painted area. While his struggles with efficiency continued -- Richardson ultimately averaged just 2.9 yards on his 125 carries -- the 2012 NFL first-rounder finished the season on a high note with an 18-carry, 83-yard performance (4.8 YPC) on March 25 against the Atlanta Legends. It's hard to gauge how much interest he may draw from NFL teams now that the AAF has disbanded, but it at least seems possible Richardson could be invited to attend training camp somewhere.
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Mark Walton RB | MIA
Bengals' Mark Walton: Facing charges
Walton surrendered Thursday to face felony charges of carrying a concealed weapon, marijuana possession and reckless driving stemming from a March 12 incident near Miami, Fl., David Ovalle of the Miami Herald reports.
Walton is, reportedly, already facing two other criminal cases in the form of a misdemeanor battery charge from February and a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge from January. The former Hurricanes running back is coming off a disappointing rookie campaign in which he averaged just 2.4 yards over 14 rushing attempts, and these legal issues are doing Walton no favors in advance of his second season.
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Zach Zenner RB | NO
Lions' Zach Zenner: Gets competition from CJA
Zenner and recent signee C.J. Anderson figure to compete for carries behind Kerryon Johnson, ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein reports.
The Lions also have Theo Riddick in a crowded backfield, though the pass-catching specialist might be traded or released before Week 1 to free up $3.7 million in cap space. Johnson is the only one of the bunch signed beyond 2019, and he already proved his merit as a lead back with 5.4 yards per carry and 32 catches in 10 games during his rookie season. Zenner's wealth of experience on special teams could allow him to stick on the 53-man roster even if he lands fourth on the depth chart at running back.
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Benny Cunningham RB | JAC
Jaguars' Benny Cunningham: Moves on to Jaguars
The Jaguars signed Cunningham to a contract Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
In the first year under the direction of coach Matt Nagy, Cunningham's touch count in Chicago decreased from 29 in 2017 to 12 last season. The presence of Jordan Howard (58 percent of the offensive snaps) and Tarik Cohen (46 percent) limited Cunningham's usage as the latter managed just 6.5 percent of those snaps. With the move to Jacksonville, Cunningham currently is no better than third on the RB depth chart behind Leonard Fournette and recent signee Alfred Blue. Cunningham may well be competing with 2018 seventh-rounder Dave Williams and veteran Thomas Rawls for one roster spot, assuming the Jaguars don't make another addition at the position in free agency or the draft.
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C.J. Anderson RB | LAR
Lions' C.J. Anderson: Dropping weight for 2019
Anderson promised he will be in better shape for 2019 with the Lions, Marlowe Atler of The Detroit Free Press reports.
Anderson admits he played at around 235 pounds late last season with the Rams, but the extra weight didn't prevent him from piling up 488 rushing yards and four touchdowns in five games (including playoffs). He did slow down during the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl, averaging just 2.9 yards on 23 carries. Signed to a one-year contract Monday, the 28-year-old likely will return to his listed weight of 225 pounds in preparation for a full season in the Detroit backfield alongside Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner. While Johnson is a clear favorite to handle the lead role, coach Matt Patricia has left no doubt about his preference for using a committee. There's been some chatter that Riddick could be released to clear out $3.7 million in cap space and leave more snaps for Johnson/Anderson.
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C.J. Anderson RB | LAR
Lions' C.J. Anderson: Lands in Detroit
Anderson signed a one-year contract with the Lions on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Anderson began the 2018 season in Carolina, where he rushed for only 104 yards in nine games before he was released. His stock quickly rose once the Rams signed him in December as a replacement for Malcolm Brown (clavicle). With Todd Gurley tending to a knee injury, Anderson took 43 carries for 299 yards (7.0 YPC) and two touchdowns in two regular-season games, and 46 carries for 189 yards (4.1 YPC) and two touchdowns in three playoff games. The exact terms of Anderson's deal with the Lions haven't been disclosed, but he'll get a chance to produce in 2019 and hit free agency once again next offseason. The Lions likely intend to take a committee approach to the backfield, with Kerryon Johnson leading the way while Anderson, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner compete for snaps. There is some chance Riddick could be released in a move that would clear out $3.7 million in 2019 cap space (per overthecap.com).
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Benny Cunningham RB | JAC
Benny Cunningham: Checking out Jacksonville
Cunningham will visit the Jaguars this week, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports.
Cunningham played 212 snaps on offense and 478 on special teams in 29 games for Chicago over the past two seasons, though he did get some work on passing downs in 2017 (20 receptions). Jacksonville represents the best-case scenario for his next landing spot, as the team has minimal backfield depth behind Leonard Fournette. With Carlos Hyde joining the Chiefs and both T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant (foot) still unsigned, the Jaguars are badly in need of a No. 2 running back -- preferably one that could replace Fournette in passing situations.
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Corey Clement RB | ARI
Eagles' Corey Clement: Still has room for a role
Clement (knee) still figures to have a role after the Eagles traded for fellow running back Jordan Howard, Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
A pleasant surprise as a rookie and a considerable disappointment in his sophomore campaign, Clement is now recovering from a December knee injury, with the Eagles declining to provide any details. His health may have played a role in the decision to acquire Howard, but it's more likely the team simply jumped at the opportunity to acquire a proven lead runner in exchange for a late-round pick. If healthy, Clement likely offers enough versatility to keep his roster spot safe, with potential to handle passing downs and/or spell Howard on early downs. The recent transaction is worse news for Josh Adams, whose strengths largely seem to overlap with Howard's. The Eagles also have Wendell Smallwood and could add another running back in the upcoming draft.
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Cameron Artis-Payne RB | CAR
Panthers' Cameron Artis-Payne: Staying with Carolina
Artis-Payne has re-signed with the Panthers on a one-year contract, Bryan Strickland of the team's official site reports.
As the depth chart stands, Artis-Payne returns to a Panthers roster that still has little depth behind starter Christian McCaffrey. While it's possible Carolina adds a running back in next month's draft, Artis-Payne should operate as the clear No. 2 over Elijah Hood (knee) and Reggie Bonnafon when the Panthers' offseason workouts begin April 15.