NFL Player News

McCaffrey (calf) is expected to return to practice Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

McCaffrey missed most of training camp and the preseason with a calf strain and was limited to working out on a side field at practice over the last couple of weeks, but the running back looks like he'll be able to mix into team drills in some capacity as the 49ers kick off Week 1 prep. Since the 49ers are opening their season with a Monday night game versus the Jets, the team won't release its first official Week 1 injury report until Thursday, when it will be known whether McCaffrey is practicing on a full or limited basis. In any case, his return to practice in any capacity is an encouraging sign with regard to his status for the season opener. Given the time that he missed during camp, McCaffrey could face some limitations with his snap and touch counts if he does in fact get the green light to play Monday, potentially opening up touches for backups Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo (groin).

As Thursday night's game against the Ravens approaches, Perine is in line to work in a complementary role behind lead back Isiah Pacheco, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Though Perine only signed with the Chiefs this past Wednesday, he should be in the mix for work behind Pacheco out of the gate this season along with rookie Carson Steele, given that Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list and will miss at least four games. It remains to be seen what sort of workload Perine will see versus Baltimore, but in the coming weeks the 28-year-old may be able to garner enough touches to merit lineup consideration in deeper formats.

Ali (neck) was a limited participant in Monday's practice.

Ali is listed with a neck injury on Monday's first official practice report of the season, indicating that he's managed to clear the league's concussion protocol. The rookie fifth-round pick still appears to be managing a stinger sustained during Baltimore's preseason opener, though. He'll have two more opportunities to upgrade his participation level ahead of Thursday's regular-season opener against the Chiefs.

Patterson signed with the Chargers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Patterson was let go by the Bolts in late August after failing to make the team's initial 53-man roster, but he's now found a spot on the practice squad. The 24-year-old running back's last regular-season action came in 2022 with the Commanders, when he appeared in three games and recorded 78 rushing yards on 17 attempts.

Warren (hamstring) said that he practiced Monday, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Though the extent of Warren's activity in practice won't be known until the Steelers release their first official injury report of the season Wednesday, Warren said that he'll "be ready by Sunday." Assuming he's available for the team's regular-season opener against the Falcons, Warren will be in line to operate in a timeshare with fellow running back Najee Harris.

Brooks (concussion) reached an injury settlement with the Dolphins on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Brooks will now have the opportunity to sign with another team once he can clear the league's concussion protocols, instead of spending the 2024 campaign on injured reserve. The BYU product appeared in nine regular-season games for Miami last season, gaining 106 yards on 19 carries.

Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Gibbs (hamstring) is not a player whose injury status is a concern for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Rams, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Campbell named Ifeatu Melifonwu (undisclosed) as the only player the Lions are significantly concerned about for Week 1, meaning both Gibbs and standout TE Sam LaPorta (hamstring) should be good for the season opener. Both Gibbs and LaPorta resumed practicing last week after missing much of training camp due to hamstring injuries. While it doesn't sound like Gibbs is in any real danger of missing Week 1, it's still possible that Detroit could opt to lean on backfield mate David Montgomery a bit more until the hamstring issue is further in the rearview.

The Chiefs are slated to place Edwards-Helaire (illness) on the reserve/non-football illness list Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Edwards-Helaire regularly missed practices during training camp, and he also revealed in July that he deals with post-traumatic stress disorder. His placement on the NFI list will rule him out for at least the first four games of the season and position Samaje Perine for a key backup role behind starting running back Isiah Pacheco. Meanwhile, UDFA Carson Steele bumps up into the No. 3 spot.

Lloyd (hamstring) was limited during Sunday's practice, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Though Lloyd practiced for the first time since he injured his hamstring during the Packers' preseason opener Aug. 10, the rookie running back's activity was capped in his return. Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur indicated after the session that the team will be "smart" with Lloyd as he works his way back from the injury. It's not yet clear if Lloyd will be available for the Packers' Week 1 contest in Brazil against Philadelphia on Friday.

Lloyd (hamstring) participated in practice Sunday, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Sunday marked the first time Lloyd has suited up for practice since he injured his hamstring in Green Bay's preseason opener against Cleveland on Aug. 10. It appears the rookie running back has a good chance of being available for the Packers' regular-season opener in Brazil against the Eagles on Friday after it initially seemed like he could be destined to begin the campaign on injured reserve. Lloyd's presence in the Packers backfield could be especially important with AJ Dillon (neck) on season-ending IR.