With Joe Mixon (foot/ankle) slated to begin the season on the reserve/non-football injury list, Chubb appears to be in line for an expanded role.

The Texans will make Mixon's placement on reserve/NFI official Tuesday. Mixon hasn't practiced at all this summer and now will miss at least the first four games of the regular season, leaving the door open for Chubb, rookie Woody Marks and veterans Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale to jockey for backfield work. Chubb was rested for the preseason finale this past weekend, suggesting he's the leader for the early-down role over Pierce. Marks and Ogunbowale profile more as pass-catching backs, though Marks certainly could grow into a larger role. Chubb has played in just 10 regular-season games over the last two seasons due to yet another severe knee injury, and he looked sluggish on 102 carries in 2024, turning them into 332 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and three touchdowns with Cleveland. He also doesn't catch many passes, muting his fantasy appeal. Marks, a fourth-round rookie, comes at a cheaper cost in drafts and is five years younger with less wear and tear on his body.

Mixon (foot/ankle) is slated to begin the season on reserve/non-football injury list.

Mixon, who currently is on the active/non-football injury list due to foot and ankle issues, officially will land on reserve/NFI on Tuesday afternoon, a move that will result in the running back missing at least the first four games of the regular season. In Mixon's looming absence, Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale and Woody Marks are the team's top available backfield options ahead of Week 1.

The Bears waived Wheeler on Monday with an injury designation.

Wheeler didn't play in the preseason finale after rushing 26 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns across the first two exhibitions. He added one catch for 14 yards. Wheeler is slated to revert to IR, assuming he clears waivers.

The Bears released Freeman on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Freeman was signed ahead of the Bears' final preseason game, and he rushed five times for 22 yards on 13 offensive snaps in the exhibition finale. The 29-year-old will head back to free agency.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Monday that Goodson (elbow) could be among players who retake the practice field next week, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Goodson previously said the elbow injury he picked up during Indianapolis' preseason game against Green Bay on Aug. 16 isn't serious, and that he could be available early in the regular season. If he's indeed able to return to practice next week, Goodson could have a shot at being cleared in time for Week 1 against the Dolphins. He's competing with DJ Giddens and Khalil Herbert (undisclosed) for a depth gig behind Jonathan Taylor.

Coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged Monday that Wright (leg) isn't likely to be available to play Week 1, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Though Wright is trending toward being unavailable Sunday, Sept. 7 against the Colts, the report suggests that the running back's absence shouldn't linger much beyond Week 1. While Wright is sidelined, Ollie Gordon is in a position to see added opportunities behind De'Von Achane (calf). Plus, the Dolphins may add backfield depth in the coming days.

The 49ers released Vaughn on Monday.

Vaughn served as camp and preseason depth while the Niners dealt with injuries in their backfield. Vaughn played 46 offensive snaps during the preseason and rushed 19 times for 46 yards, averaging a substandard 2.4 yards per carry. He also caught two passes for just four yards. The 28-year-old veteran doesn't have much left in the tank.

Blue (ankle) is participating in practice Monday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The Cowboys are only going through light practice reps Monday, according to Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News, but it's nonetheless encouraging to see Blue already back on the practice field after he suffered a low-ankle sprain during Friday's preseason win over the Falcons. The rookie fifth-round pick has roughly two weeks remaining to get cleared for Week 1. A heel injury forced Blue to miss Dallas' first two preseason games, and when he's fully healthy he's expected to begin his career alongside veteran Miles Sanders in a depth role behind Javonte Williams.

Coach Aaron Glenn said Monday that Davis (ankle) is expected to be available for Week 1 against the Steelers on Sept. 7, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Davis didn't play in either of the Jets' final two preseason contests, but it sounds like he's turned a corner in his recovery. The second-year back played 13 snaps in the exhibition opener, rushing six times for 14 yards. He also caught one pass for 11 yards. Davis is expected to open the season as the Jets' RB3 behind Breece Hall and Braelon Allen.

New Orleans released Akers on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Akers was a solid contributor in 2024, rushing 104 times for 444 yards (4.3 YPC) and two scores across 17 regular-season games split between the Vikings and Texans. He also demonstrated impressive red-zone versatility, securing 14 of 18 targets for 68 yards and three additional touchdowns. The veteran running back couldn't carve out a spot on the Saints' 53-man roster behind Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and Devin Neal, but Akers figures to draw interest around the league from teams in need of reliable backfield depth.