NFL Player News

Miller (hamstring) may be placed on injured reserve to start the season, which would rule him out for the first four games, Jeff Nowak of The Big 870 New Orleans reports.

Placing Miller on IR would allow the Saints to keep him around without dedicating a 53-man roster spot on a young player that hasn't practiced at all this summer. The 2023 third-round pick had issues with his knee, hamstring and ankle as a rookie, and he's now been sidelined by another hamstring injury since making an early exit from the first practice of training camp. Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams are likely to open the season atop the depth chart at running back, with the No. 3 role likely going to either Jordan Mims, James Robinson or a post-cutdown addition. Saints head coach Dennis Allen has been critical of Miller's struggles to stay healthy this summer, removing much of the luster from a young back that was a popular sleeper pick for fantasy not long ago.

Kamara (back) returned to practice Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

While it was a lighter practice, according to Matthew Paras of NOLA.com, Kamara's return is certainly a positive sign. Kamara had been sidelined since Aug. 13 with back tightness. Given the veteran's status as the team's No. 1 option in the backfield, it would not be surprising to see head coach Dennis Allen continue to exercise caution with his availability going forward in preseason competition.

Johnson carried the ball once for six yards in Saturday's preseason win over the Steelers. He was not targeted in the passing game.

Johnson was and perhaps still is in the running to be James Cook's primary backup, but he hurt his hamstring in late July and missed the first preseason game, then finally returned to practice last week and played just seven snaps Saturday. Rookie Ray Davis looks like the favorite for the job now, though the Bills could mix and match when Cook needs a breather due to the differing skill sets of Johnson and Davis. It's worth noting that undrafted rookie Frank Gore ran well Saturday, logging eight carries for 41 yards, while veteran Darrynton Evans ran seven times for 37 yards.

The Texans signed Bawden to a contract Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Bawden was let go by the Jets on July 30, one day after being reinstated from the active/PUP list due to an undisclosed injury. He appeared in 16 regular-season games for the Jets last year, finishing with two carries for four yards and one touchdown while catching three passes for 21 yards. Bawden will provide Houston depth at fullback with Andrew Beck sidelined with a calf injury.

Hines is making progress in recovering from the ACL injury that kept him out for the entire 2023 season, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Hines hasn't suited up for game action since the 2022 season, and there's still no concrete timetable for his return. But Coach Kevin Stefanski struck an optimistic tone Tuesday, saying, "He's doing well and progressing well." Even when he's at 100 percent though, he'll have to fight to earn a spot on Cleveland's running back depth chart.

The Packers waived Howard with an undisclosed injury designation Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Howard signed with the Packers in May as an undrafted free agent. If he goes unclaimed off waivers, he'll revert to Green Bay's injured reserve and be forced to sit out for all of 2024 unless an injury settlement is reached.

Charbonnet (undisclosed) practiced Tuesday but was held out from team drills, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Charbonnet has been sidelined due to an undisclosed injury described by the team only as "tightness" since last Wednesday, so it's encouraging to see him get some on-field work in while wearing full pads. The second-year running back is expected to sit out Saturday's preseason finale against the Browns, but he shouldn't have any issue getting back to 100 percent health in time for Seattle's regular-season opener against the Broncos on Sept. 8.

Miller (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Tuesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Miller rushed for 63 yards on 12 carries in the Giants' preseason opener against the Lions, but he was unable to suit up for Saturday's contest against the Texans due to a hamstring injury. He'll be slowly worked back into practice in the hopes he can suit up for Saturday's preseason finale against the Jets. Miller is competing for a depth spot at running back behind starter Devin Singletary.

Coach Mike Tomlin noted Tuesday that Warren "is out, probably out for this week," but added that the running back's hamstring issue is "not anything that's a long-term concern," Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

While it's probably safe to assume that Warren won't play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Lions, Tomlin's words Tuesday would appear to bode well with regard to the running back's chances of being available for Week 1 action. Once he's back on the field, Warren will resume working in Pittsburgh's backfield in tandem with Najee Harris, a looming timeshare that should result in both players remaining on the fantasy radar this season.

Dillon (shoulder) is not practicing Tuesday due to a stinger, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Dillon's injury could prevent him from suiting up for Saturday's preseason finale against the Ravens, though he has plenty of time to recovery ahead of Green Bay's regular-season opener against the Eagles on Sept. 6. The veteran running back is looking like the favorite to open the 2024 campaign as the top backup to Josh Jacobs, thanks in part to the fact that rookie third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd is dealing with a hamstring injury.