NFL Player News

Smith (undisclosed) reverted to the Chiefs' injured reserve list Monday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Smith was waived with an injury designation Sunday. The running back cleared waivers and will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement.

Mitchell (undisclosed) is not practicing Monday but is working off to the side with a trainer, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell is missing his fourth straight practice due to an unspecified injury, but it sounds like he's getting closer to a return to the field after getting in some work on a side field. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz added that he anticipates Mitchell playing Week 1 against the Cardinals. The Chargers are expected to utilize all three of Omarion Hampton, Mitchell and Kimani Vidal out of the backfield this season, though Hampton is the clear lead back and possesses the most upside from a fantasy perspective. Mitchell, when healthy, likely will handle a handful of weekly touches to showcase his speed and playmaking while giving Hampton a breather. Mitchell is looking like a fantasy bench stash to open the 2026 season.

Croskey-Merritt (lower body) is expected to return to practice next week, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Croskey-Merritt was forced to miss the Commanders' final two preseason games due to a lower-body injury, and he won't practice Monday. His participation level once he gets back on the field should offer more clarity on his readiness for the regular-season opener Sunday, Sept. 13 against the Eagles. In the meantime, Kaytron Allen is the Commanders' top healthy option in the backfield with Rachaad White (hamstring) also banged up at the moment.

The Patriots waived Larison on Sunday.

Larison appeared in all three of the Patriots' preseason games, turning 18 carries into 39 yards and a touchdown while adding nine catches (on 14 targets) for 79 yards. He also contributed on special teams both as a gunner and returner on kickoffs, but that versatility was not enough for him to crack the Patriots' 53-man roster for the regular season. Larison could garner interest on the waiver wire from teams looking to add backfield depth to the roster, but a return to New England as a member of the practice squad is possible if he goes unclaimed.

Love (ankle) is progressing well in his recovery and trending toward being available for Week 1, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Love was forced to miss the Cardinals' final preseason game due to the high-ankle sprain he suffered earlier this month, but he continues to trend in the right direction. Head coach Mike LaFleur outlined Monday that the running back is "progressing really well," and that Love is expected to take another step up in his recovery. The Cardinals will take on the Chargers in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 13, and the rookie first-rounder appears to be on track to make his NFL regular-season debut that day.

Trayanum (neck) was placed on injured reserve by the Jets on Sunday, Eric Allen & Amanda Vogt of the team's official website report.

Trayanum suffered a neck injury in the team's preseason finale against the Giants on Friday. The running back is now set to miss the entire 2026 campaign while on IR with New York, and he'd have to reach an injury settlement with the team to have a chance to play this season.

Demercado was claimed off waivers by the Cowboys on Monday, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.

In the wake of Sunday's cut-down day, Dallas rostered just two running backs and a fullback on its active roster: Javonte Williams, Malik Davis and Hunter Luepke. With the addition of Demercado, the team gains an experienced hand who spent the first three seasons of his career with the Cardinals, averaging 6.5 YPC on his 126 carries to date.

Henry was waived by the Commanders on Sunday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Henry signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent in April, and he turned 26 carries into 105 yards and a touchdown while reeling in two of three targets for six yards over three preseason games. If the running back goes unclaimed on waivers, there's a strong chance he sticks around as a member of the Commanders' practice squad.

Brown (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve by the Bears on Sunday.

Brown signed a reserve/future contract with Chicago in January, and he turned 14 carries into 22 yards while also catching four of five targets for 22 yards and a score during the preseason. The running back is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and he is now set to miss the entire season while on IR, unless he can reach an injury settlement with the team.

Demercado was waived by the Chiefs on Sunday.

The Chiefs are starting the season with Kenneth Walker, Emmett Johnson and Brashard Smith as their running backs. Demercado will now head to waivers after averaging an impressive 7.1 yards per carry and posting a 13-101-1 receiving line across 13 regular-season games with the Cardinals in 2025.