NFL Player News

Achane is set to lead a Dolphins backfield in 2026 that will also include Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon (ribs), based on Miami's initial 53-man roster.

The Dolphins traded for Jarquez Hunter shortly before cutdown day, but he ultimately didn't make the 53-man roster, though Hunter remains in the organization as part of the practice squad. Fullback D.J. Herman is also listed as a running back, but the team's backfield is otherwise unchanged from 2025, when Achane produced a career-high 1,838 scrimmage yards. The team around Achane went through an offseason overhaul, including the addition of mobile QB Malik Willis, but Achane projects to maintain a prominent role as the centerpiece of an otherwise unproven offense.

Johnson is one of three running backs on Chicago's initial 53-man roster, along with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai (knee).

Johnson beat out Salvon Ahmed, Brittain Brown and Coleman Bennett for a spot on the 53-man roster. Head coach Ben Johnson described Monangai as "week-to-week" Tuesday, per Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com, so Monangai's status for Week 1 remains up in the air. If Monangai isn't ready to face the Panthers on Sept. 13, Johnson could be in line for change-of-pace work behind D'Andre Swift, with no alternatives currently on the roster at running back.

Henderson (ankle) wasn't present for Thursday's practice, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Henderson has been sidelined for the last 10 days, and while there's been no indication he's dealing with a serious injury, it's starting to get close to the wire for Henderson to play in next Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Seahawks. Henderson will almost certainly need to return to practice before Monday to have a chance to face Seattle. If he can't go in Week 1, Rhamondre Stevenson would get a huge fantasy boost as a surefire RB2 based on volume projection.

Spears is among the four running backs that made the Titans' initial 53-man roster.

Based on preseason usage, Spears is firmly entrenched as the team's top alternative to Tony Pollard in the backfield. Spears produced 536 scrimmage yards in 2024 and 547 scrimmage yards in 2025 while filling such a role. His 838-yard rookie season in 2023 came prior to Pollard's arrival in Tennessee. Rookie fifth-round pick Nicholas Singleton didn't show anything during preseason action that would indicate he's an immediate threat to Spears' role, while Julius Chestnut is likely ticketed for a role on special teams.

Mitchell (undisclosed) remained a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

With Mitchell now having missed six straight practices, his status for Week 1 against the Cardinals is starting to come into question. If he's unable to go against Arizona, Kimani Vidal would settle in as the likely RB2 behind Omarion Hampton. Mitchell will need to get back on the field in some capacity next week if he's going to have a chance to suit up for the regular-season opener.

Pollard is set to lead a group of four running backs that made the Titans' initial 53-man roster.

Tennessee also kept Tyjae Spears, rookie fifth-round pick Nicholas Singleton and Julius Chestnut on the 53-man roster. The decision to roster four running backs, coupled with second-year QB Cam Ward's struggles in the preseason, could indicate a desire to implement a run-heavy approach from new OC Brian Daboll. Pollard has topped 1,000 scrimmage yards in five consecutive regular seasons, the last two of which came with the Titans, and he sits atop the RB depth chart heading into the regular season, with Spears poised to reprise his change-of-pace role.

Gainwell is one of three running backs on Tampa Bay's 53-man roster, along with Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker (undisclosed), the latter of whom didn't practice Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.

Gainwell signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers in March after leading the Steelers with 73 catches in the 2025 regular season. He's likely to fill a change-of-pace role while playing primarily in passing situations, much like Rachaad White did for the past couple seasons in a Buccaneers backfield that's expected to be led by Irving as long as the latter stays healthy. Tucker could be a thorn in the side of both Gainwell and Irving from a fantasy perspective if Tucker reprises his red-zone role from 2025, which helped him punch in a team-high seven rushing touchdowns.

Irving is set to lead a Buccaneers backfield that also includes Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker (undisclosed), the latter of whom didn't practice Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.

Irving figures to get most of the rushing opportunities in Tampa Bay's backfield, though Gainwell is likely to play in passing situations after leading the Steelers with 73 catches in the 2025 regular season and subsequently signing a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers in March. Tucker was used frequently in the red zone last season, leading the Buccaneers with seven rushing touchdowns. Irving saw his rushing touchdown total dip to one in 10 games during his injury-plagued 2025 campaign after scoring eight regular-season rushing touchdowns as a rookie. Despite the competition for touches, Irving maintains the highest ceiling in Tampa Bay's backfield given his success in 2024.

Kamara (knee) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Kamara was diagnosed with a sprained MCL a little over two weeks ago and was given a return timetable of "at least one month," according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, so it's not at all surprising to see the veteran running back still sidelined. The Saints will begin official Week 1 prep next week, and it would be somewhat shocking to see Kamara practice and be available for the season opener against the Lions. With Kendre Miller (undisclosed) also missing practice time, Audric Estime could be the backup to Travis Etienne against Detroit.

Dowdle and Jaylen Warren are slated to have regular roles in the Steelers offense during the 2026 season, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.

Despite Warren being the top incumbent running back in Pittsburgh, Graziano believes that Dowdle is a better bet to handle early downs out of the backfield, not only due to his experience working with new coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas but because of his combined 471 carries over the last two seasons. Both campaigns resulted in more than 1,000 yards on the ground for Dowdle, while Warren has topped out at 958 rushing yards (2025) in his four-year career. Warren does have the advantage in pass-catching chops, with 139 receptions over the last three years. As a result, both players are in line for weekly usage for the Steelers.