NFL Player News

New Raiders coach Klint Kubiak hinted Wednesday that Jeanty could play even more of an every-down workhorse role in his second season, Paul Gutierrez of the team's official site reports.

It comes off as typical coach speak that is routinely thrown around at this stage of the offseason, but it's at least worth noting nonetheless. "It's important to have a quality second back, but the best player has got to play, and we've got to get them on the field as much as we can," Kubiak said. "I don't know the play-snap percentage, but you look at Christian McCaffrey, his play-snap percentage is high. So, those great backs, they don't want to come off the field." Only nine running backs handled more carries and played more snaps than Jeanty last season, so it'll be tough to truly put significantly more on his plate in 2026, but the hope is for far better efficiency behind an improved offensive line with better coaching and quarterback play. Currently in the mix for RB touches that don't go to Jeantyare rookie fourth-rounder Mike Washington, as well as Dylan Laube, Chris Collier and UDFA addition Roman Hemby.

Hill (neck) is participating in OTAs this week.

Hill sustained a neck injury in practice leading up to Week 13 last season and spent the remainder of the 2025 campaign on injured reserve. He was inching closer to a return toward the end of last season, so it's fair to assume he's back to 100 percent. Hill is expected to once again serve as the pass-catching specialist out of the backfield behind Derrick Henry in 2026.

Cook was not present for the start of OTAs on Tuesday, Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com reports.

While OTAs are quote unquote "voluntary," it's a notable absence, as the rest of Buffalo's star players and veteran leaders were in attendance for new coach Joe Brady's first open practice session. There's been no reason given for Cook's absence, and he just signed a new four-year, $46 million contract last summer after "holding in" at training camp. Cook, however, has already fallen behind the top of the running back market after De'Von Achane, Kenneth Walker, Breece Hall and Travis Etienne all received bigger deals this offseason. It's possible Cook is looking at that and pushing for more money after leading the league in rushing with 1,621 yards and 12 touchdowns on a career-high 309 carries last regular season. With Cook idle to begin OTAs, Frank Gore and Ray Davis have seen more reps with the first-team offense, according to Parrino.

The Bears signed Ahmed (ankle) on Wednesday, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.

While with the Colts last summer, Ahmed suffered a serious ankle injury during training camp when he was brought down with a hip-drop tackle. He missed the entire 2025 season but is now healthy and ready to compete for a job in the Chicago backfield. The 27-year-old has 593 career rushing yards and five touchdowns on 163 carries across 38 regular-season games. He can also play special teams.

Johnson (undisclosed) was waived from Carolina's IR with an injury settlement Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Johnson reverted to IR after going unclaimed on waivers with an injury designation May 19, and it appears the Panthers are moving on from the Florida product. He has yet to appear in an NFL game after tallying 593 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry during his senior campaign in 2024.

Felton announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday and will transition into a player-development role with the Browns, Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland reports.

Felton, who had not played in an NFL game since 2022, has now decided to call it a playing career. He appeared in 24 regular-season games for the Browns from 2021 to 2022, catching 20 of his 25 targets for 189 yards and a touchdown while rushing eight times for 20 yards. Additionally, Felton accumulated 269 punt-return yards and 183 kick-return yards.

Judkins (ankle) is taking carries in 11-on-11s, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Five months removed from surgery on a broken leg and a dislocated ankle, Judkins is already sprinting and making cuts during team drills at OTAs. While this rapid progress doesn't automatically mean he'll be a full participant when contact work begins in late July, it proves he is ahead of schedule in his rehab and on track for a Week 1 start. The Browns have shaky depth behind him in the backfield, rostering 2025 fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson and a quartet of undrafted young players.

Skattebo (ankle) said at the Giants Town Hall on Monday night that he is expecting to be ready to play in Week 1 of the upcoming campaign, Kevin Patra of the team's official site reports.

Skattebo's comments Monday echo what Giants GM Joe Schoen relayed in late March, when he shared that the running back was declaring himself "ready to go." Skattebo did add Monday that he's not yet ready to take the field for OTAs, but that doesn't appear to be causing him any concern about his readiness for Week 1. New York hasn't added to its RB room during the offseason outside of signing undrafted rookie Damon Bankston, but it did sign All-Pro fullback Patrick Ricard, so Skattebo could be set up for a big sophomore campaign.

Johnson (undisclosed) reverted to Carolina's injured reserve Tuesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Johnson will remain with the Panthers after going unclaimed on waivers. The 23-year-old signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January and will now be forced to miss the entirety of the upcoming campaign unless he's waived with an injury settlement.

The Panthers waived Johnson (undisclosed) with an injury designation Monday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Johnson signed a reserve/future contract with Carolina in January after signing to the team's practice squad in December. With the waived/injured designation, the 23-year-old will revert to Carolina's injured reserve Tuesday.