NFL Player News

Guerendo tweaked his groin Monday and won't practice this week, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

After missing training camp and most of the preseason with a hamstring injury, Guerendo returned for San Francisco's final exhibition and took 13 touches for 35 yards in a 24-24 tie with the Raiders. His depth chart standing seemingly improved despite all the missed time this summer, as longtime No. 2 running back Elijah Mitchell was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a hamstring injury that will require surgery. Jordan Mason is now expected to enter Week 1 as the No. 2 back behind Christian McCaffrey, leaving Guerendo to focus on kickoff returns for the time being. Shanahan said Guerendo could be back at practice as soon as next week, meaning the rookie isn't ruled out for a Week 1 matchup with the Jets on Sept. 9.

The Bengals released Williams on Wednesday.

Williams made Cincinnati's initial 53-man roster Tuesday, only to subsequently get cut Wednesday to make room on the roster for edge rusher K.J. Henry, whom the Bengals claimed on waivers from Washington. His departure leaves Zack Moss and Chase Brown as the only healthy running backs on Cincinnati's roster, and Charlie Jones may be tasked with returning kickoffs in addition to punts.

The Chargers claimed Haskins off waivers from the Titans on Wednesday.

Haskins joins a Chargers running back depth chart that also includes Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal and Jaret Patterson. It's an intriguing landing spot for the 24-year-old Haskins, who was waived by Tennessee on Tuesday. Edwards hasn't caught more than 12 passes in any season of his career, and Dobbins has been limited to one appearance during the last two seasons due to injuries, so at least one member of the inexperienced trio of Vidal, Patterson and Haskins could ultimately emerge with a prominent role on passing downs.

Johnson secured a spot on Buffalo's 53-man roster Tuesday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Johnson was one of three running backs to make the team, joining starter James Cook and rookie fourth-round draft pick Ray Davis. Johnson and Davis are expected to split backup duties. Cook and Davis are listed at 210 and 220 pounds, respectively, so both backups are better suited for short-yardage work than the 190-pound Cook, though 237-pound quarterback Josh Allen often calls his own number in such situations.

Strong (ribs) was one of two running backs on Cleveland's initial 53-man roster that was released Tuesday, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Strong's presence on the roster is an indication that his recent rib injury isn't serious, but the Browns are still expected to add a third running back before Week 1, with the most likely option being a re-signing of D'Onta Foreman. For now, Strong and presumed Week 1 starter Jerome Ford are the only backs on the 53-man roster, as Foreman was released Tuesday while Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee) were placed on injury lists. Chubb and Hines are ineligible for the first four games of the season.

The Bills re-signed Gore (knee) to their practice squad Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.

Gore dealt with a knee injury late in the preseason, but the undrafted rookie out of Southern Miss no longer has an injury designation. The clear top man in Buffalo's backfield is James Cook, with Ray Davis and Ty Johnson locked in for the top reserve spots. Darrynton Evans (hamstring) will also handle a depth role once back from injured reserve, so Gore lacks a clear path to activation from the practice squad, barring injuries. Still, he showed enough during the preseason to warrant a chance to continue his development.

The Rams claimed Schrader off waivers from the 49ers on Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The undrafted rookie out of Missouri was waived by San Francisco a day earlier, after finishing the preseason with 19 carries for 48 yards, two catches for eight yards and four kick returns for 120 yards. Schrader finished eighth in Heisman Trophy during his final season at Missouri in 2023 after rushing for 1,627 yards, but he's more likely to see playing time on special teams early on for the Rams.

The Saints claimed Nwangwu off waivers Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Vikings waived Nwangwu a day earlier, electing to keep only two running backs on their initial 53-man roster. The Saints have four, at least temporarily, with Nwangwu joining Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims while Kendre Miller (hamstring) starts the season on injured reserve. The Saints may view Nwagnwu as a kick returner more so than a running back, considering he has three career touchdowns on special teams.

The Cowboys signed Cook to their practice squad Wednesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Cook apparently won't start off on the active roster but can be activated at any time. He averaged 3.2 yards per carry with the Jets and Ravens last season, struggling to earn a significant role with both teams. However, Cook should have a chance at playing more in 2024 now that he's joining one of the weakest backfields in the league. Dallas kept Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn as the three running backs on the 53-man roster after cutdown day, parting ways with Royce Freeman and Malik Davis.

Cook agreed to a contract with Dallas on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Cook averaged just 3.2 yards per carry over 15 games in 2023 between stops with the Jets and Ravens, but the Cowboys will bring the 29-year-old aboard and see if he has anything left in the tank. Despite his inefficiency last season, Cook could still find himself in a position to earn snaps in a Dallas backfield that lacks a clear No. 1 option. Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott currently represent Cook's top threats for playing time in Dallas.