NFL Player News

The Cowboys plan to place Mafah (shoulder) on IR ahead of Week 1, though the plan is for the running back to return this season, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Per Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News, Mafah got banged up during the Cowboys' preseason finale, and now it appears as though the 2025 seventh-rounder is headed to IR, though not the season-ending variety. Assuming the transaction is timed as expected, Mafah would be eligible to resume practicing after missing a minimum of four games.

The Broncos plan to waive Estime, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Per Tomasson, Estime, who Denver took in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, is a candidate to join the team's practice squad, if he goes unclaimed on waivers. Now that Estime is no longer slated to be in the mix, J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin profile as the Broncos' top backfield options.

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.