NFL Player News

Hall said at mandatory minicamp Wednesday he's motivated "to go prove that I am 'The Guy'" to a new regime led by new head coach Aaron Glenn, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Glenn talked up using all of Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis "as much as possible" earlier this offseason, but Hall is committed to securing another workhorse role for 2025. "We have a great running back room," Hall said, "but my mentality is every day I'm going to prove that I am the best back on this roster and one of the best backs in the league." He also revealed that despite suiting up for 16 regular-season games in 2024, the knee injury he dealt with was more serious than previously disclosed. "If I could go back, I probably would have taken more time off," the 24-year-old said. If Hall's production dip in 2024 can indeed be explained away by injury and the Jets' overall struggles on offense, his three-down ability and talent level will put him in solid position to bounce back to elite levels in 2025. Glenn and new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand are both acquainted with Detroit's run-heavy, two-back approach, but in New York it's possible QB Justin Fields could mix in alongside Hall more than other tailbacks.

McCaffrey was one of a few 49ers veterans to participate in 11-on-11 work during mandatory minicamp, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

McCaffrey has been trending well from a health perspective this offseason, after struggling with both Achilles and knee issues in 2024. He practiced without restrictions in OTAs and then ramped up his activity further during mandatory minicamp. McCaffrey relayed that he wanted to test his health and was satisfied with the results as he turns his focus to the 2025 season.

Benson said Thursday that he added seven pounds during the offseason but feels more explosive, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Benson also said he wants the Cardinals to have "two RB1s" this season, suggesting he's ready for a larger role behind James Conner after taking 69 touches for 350 total yards (on 137 snaps) during his rookie campaign. The 2024 third-round pick missed the final three games of last season with an ankle injury but came back healthy for OTAs and minicamp this spring. There aren't many running backs that offer a better combination of speed and size, with Benson having run a 4.39 40 at the 2024 Combine at 6 feet, 216 pounds. It sounds like he may have maintained that speed while pushing his weight to the 220-225 range.

Sanders and Javonte Williams have been getting most of the first-team reps at June minicamp, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Given the alternatives, it's no surprise to see the two free-agent additions handling first-team work, even though both of them averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in each of the past two seasons. The Cowboys' other running backs right now are rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue, rookie seventh-round pick Phil Mafah and 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn. It's anyone's guess how the depth chart might shift before Week 1, with possibilities including a late veteran addition via trade or free agency.

Coach Mike Macdonald said Tuesday that Walker has been limited during Seattle's offseason program due to an ankle injury, but the running back "should be fine," Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports

Walker tended to an ankle issue down the stretch last season, making just one Week 16 appearance over the final five contests before landing on injured reserve. He's missed 10 total regular-season games over his first three NFL campaigns, but when he's been able to suit up, he's averaged 79.3 yards from scrimmage per game while scoring 26 touchdowns in 41 contests. The Seahawks have OTAs scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday this week and mandatory minicamp on deck next Tuesday, so Walker has a few more chances to mix into drills before training camp in late July. Zach Charbonnet should continue to handle first-team reps for as long as Walker is held out.

Kamara (groin) participated in Tuesday's minicamp practice.

Kamara, who missed the last three games of the 2024 regular season with a groin injury, hadn't been participating in the Saints' voluntary workouts this offseason, but his activity during Tuesday's mandatory minicamp session demonstrates that he's moved past the issue. While there's no doubt that Kamara slots in as the team's No. 1 back, it remains to be seen how the rest of the backfield depth chart will shake out prior to Week 1. For now, the top candidates for complementary work behind Kamara (who recorded 228 carries and 68 catches in 14 contests last year) are Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Harvey has new backfield competition with the Broncos having agreed to terms with J.K. Dobbins on a one-year, $5.25 million contract Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Dobbins offers more experience than Audric Estime or Jaleel McLaughlin, with the 26-year-old having racked up 1,058 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns across 13 regular-season appearances with the Chargers in 2024 -- a tremendous rebound after three consecutive injury-riddled years in Baltimore. While Dobbins' impressive comeback year shouldn't be discounted, he still missed four games due to an MCL sprain and faded down the stretch. His 4.6 YPC on the season was buoyed by a strong start, as from Week 3 on he managed just 3.8 YPC. Harvey's impressive athleticism, 4.40 speed and status as a second-round pick still makes him likely to see a significant role out of the gate, and coach Sean Payton's offenses have a history of supporting two fantasy-viable RBs at a time. Nonetheless, the arrival of Dobbins makes it harder to project the rookie as a workhorse for the Broncos in 2025.

Dobbins agreed to terms Tuesday on a one-year, $5.25 million contract with Denver, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Dobbins racked up a career-high 1,058 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns across 13 regular-season appearances with the Chargers in 2024, and he now joins rookie RJ Harvey atop the depth chart of the Broncos' revamped backfield. An MCL sprain forced Dobbins to miss four games during his one-year stint with Los Angeles, but after missing 2021 due to a multi-ligament knee injury, having the same issue linger into 2022 and requiring surgery, and then suffering a torn Achilles tendon Week 1 of 2023, for Dobbins to average 4.6 YPC and play 13 regular-season games represents one of the most remarkable comeback seasons in recent memory. Both Dobbins and Harvey project as valuable fantasy contributors in coach Sean Payton's offense, which averaged the 10th most points per game (25.0) in the NFL last season and could make a sizable leap with Bo Nix entering Year 2.

Wright has added six pounds of muscle this offseason as he looks to earn a larger role in the offense, Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

A 2024 fourth-round pick, Wright joined De'Von Achane as a big-play threat out of the backfield for Miami courtesy of his 4.38 speed, but he wrapped an uneventful rookie year with just 68 carries for 249 yards (3.7 YPC) and zero touchdowns. Achane remains Miami's clear No. 1 back, but given his small frame, last year's 281 touches could be very close to his ceiling. Coach Mike McDaniel talked up Wright's effort during OTAs, but he'll have to compete with two larger backs in experienced veteran Alexander Mattison (5-11, 220 pounds) and rookie sixth-round pick Ollie Gordon (6-1, 226 pounds) for snaps and touches behind Achane.

Cook is present for the start of Buffalo's mandatory minicamp Tuesday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

Cook skipped voluntary OTAs amid his ongoing negotiations for a new contract with the Bills, but the 2022 second-round pick won't opt to hold out from mandatory minicamp, for which he would accrue fines. His presence at minicamp could indicate that contract talks have progressed beyond the point of being a "stalemate," as Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network described the situation earlier in June. After rushing 207 times for 1,009 yards and a career-high 16 touchdowns across 16 regular-season appearances in 2024, plus a 32-258-2 receiving line, Cook is now staring down the final year of his rookie deal.