NFL Player News

Hightower was held out of practice Monday with a knee injury and is considered day-to-day, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hightower exited early during practice Thursday and was subsequently absent from Friday's session with what was termed as a day off. It now appears that the veteran is nursing a legitimate injury, but given the day-to-day prognosis, it seems Hightower's situation presents little cause for concern.

Ellington had five carries for 17 yards and a touchdown and caught two of three targets for 15 yards in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Cowboys.

With David Johnson and Chris Johnson both held out, Kerwynn Williams handled the opening drive and capped it off with a touchdown. Ellington then played throughout the rest of the first half, suggesting he's only No. 4 in the current pecking order. With his experiment at wide receiver ending earlier this offseason, Ellington is now battling Williams for what might only be one roster spot, though both players saw their odds improve when rookie fifth-round pick T.J. Logan dislocated his wrist during Thursday's game. For the time being, Chris Johnson remains the best handcuff bet for David Johnson owners.

Williams had five carries for 18 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against Dallas, getting all of his work on the opening drive.

Williams worked ahead of Andre Ellington, who had five carries for 17 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 15 yards while playing most of the first half. Williams was the favorite for the top backup job earlier this offseason, but the Cardinals ultimately signed Chris Johnson, which likely leaves Williams and Ellington in a battle for the No. 3 spot. Both players saw their roster odds improve when rookie fifth-round pick T.J. Logan dislocated his wrist in Thursday's game, as the latter will likely enter Week 1 on the Physically Unable to Perform list or injured reserve. In any case, as it currently appears, Johnson is the preferred handcuff for David Johnson owners.

Kelley (neck) is listed as the Redskins' No. 1 running back on the team's first depth chart of training camp, Stephen Czarda of the Redskins' official site reports.

Kelley has been battling a sore neck of late that's limited his practice time, but he'll still enter the preseason as the Redskins' top back. He may need to perform well during exhibition play in order to maintain his spot atop the depth chart, however, as rookie Samaje Perine, a power back with more breakaway speed than Kelley, offers formidable competition for starting duties. Kelley should still be viewed as the favorite to open the season as the Redskins' lead back after averaging a respectable 4.2 yards per carry in 2016, but don't be surprised if coach Jay Gruden still mixes in Perine liberally if the former Oklahoma standout impresses during the preseason. Both Kelly and Perine will likely find themselves on the sidelines on definite passing downs, as Chris Thompson, who is listed second on the depth chart, is the Redskins' clear top receiver out of the backfield.

Thomas (undisclosed) was removed from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Monday.

Thomas landed on the PUP list a little over a week ago, but it looks as if the Lions feel he's ready to contribute once again. Had he remained on the list heading into the regular season, Thomas would have been ineligible for activation until after Week 6.

Perine is listed as the Redskins' No. 3 running back for their first depth chart of training camp, Stephen Czarda of the Redskins' official site reports.

Chris Thompson seems to be locked in as the Redskins' third-down back thanks to his skills as a pass catcher, so Perine and Rob Kelley, who is listed atop the depth chart, are effectively battling for a starting role. While Kelley impressed last season as an unheralded undrafted rookie out of Tulane, he lacks the breakaway speed of Perine, who also offers plenty of power between the tackles. The performances of both backs in the preseason will ultimately dictate who retains starting duties in Week 1, but Perine is seemingly the higher-upside target of the two players.

Gordon (knee) carried the ball "decisively" in the Chargers' joint practice with the Rams on Saturday, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Gordon has reportedly looked sharp during the beginning stages of training camp, making all the necessary cuts as he continues to work his way back from season-ending knee and hip injuries. The 24-year-old is expected to build on his breakout 2016 season and will likely be one of the first handful of running backs taken in re-draft formats.

Oliver appears to have the edge for the backup job at running back behind starter Melvin Gordon, Eric. D Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Oliver profiles as a solid complement to Gordon, as he's capable of taking a beating between the tackles while also being able to contribute as a pass catcher. Now healthy after tearing his Achilles last preseason, Oliver will still need to continue stringing together positive practices in order to secure the gig, but it looks like it's his to lose at this point in training camp.

McCaffrey appeared comfortable operating a wildcat offense during Sunday's practice, Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

This isn't the first time offensive coordinator Mike Shula has experimented with McCaffrey in the wildcat, as Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer reports the Panthers played around with him in that formation during June's minicamp as well. In fact, McCaffrey's experience running the wildcat at least dates back to his days at Stanford, where the Cardinals often sent a receiver in motion on a jet sweep to open lanes for McCaffrey to run. It isn't clear how proficient a passer he might be, but given the first-rounder's multitude of talents, it wouldn't come as a surprise if he was effective in that role.

Pumphrey (hamstring) is back at practice Sunday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The fourth-round rookie hasn't practiced since at least Monday after impressing in the opening days of training camp while getting some looks with the first-team offense. The Eagles have given him snaps with the starters dating back to the offseason program, but it's unclear if that will continue into the regular season. Darren Sproles is once again projected to serve as the primary passing down back, while Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor figure to handle slot work. If nothing else, the pint-sized rookie clearly is being groomed as the eventual successor to Sproles.