NFL Player News

Kamara (ankle) participated in the initial practice of the Saints' mandatory minicamp Tuesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Kamara wasn't present for most of the team's offseason program, but his presence this week indicates he's healthy after missing Week 18 of last season due to an ankle injury. While he managed to surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the seventh consecutive campaign in 2023, his 1,160 yards marked the lowest total of his career, partly due to him missing the first three games of the campaign due to a suspension. He'll again have to contend with Jamaal Williams and even Taysom Hill for short-yardage and goal-line work, but Kamara doesn't have much competition for reps otherwise. He's poised for a busy role in New Orleans' new-look scheme under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

Jacobs (hamstring) took part in Tuesday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Jacobs missed the first week of Packers OTAs due to a hamstring injury, but he was back on a limited basis by the second week before logging time with the first-team offense during the first session of mandatory minicamp this week. On Tuesday, he displayed his agility during early drills while also working on his pass protection, per Wood. Jacobs arrived in Green Bay this offseason on a four-year, $48 million contract, effectively replacing Aaron Jones as the team's top running back. The Packers then re-signed AJ Dillon and added MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of this year's draft to provide depth behind Jacobs, who averaged 20.6 touches per game in his five seasons with the Raiders.

Hall (lower body) won't practice Tuesday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Hall missed some OTA practices in May and now will sit out the first day of June minicamp. There's been no indication of a serious injury, but it'll be something to keep an eye on ahead of training camp in late July. With Hall absent Tuesday, rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis should have opportunities to work with the first-team offense as they continue their competition for the No. 2 running back role.

Stevenson said Monday on the first day of mandatory minicamp that he and the Patriots are "pretty close" to terms on a new contract extension, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Stevenson said he's "trying to get the deal done and get it locked in" and that ongoing offseason negotiations are "not frustrating, but it's just a long process." As Stevenson enters the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, New England is looking ahead to a new era under coach Jerod Mayo, with quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye atop the depth chart. Keeping Stevenson under contract long-term would provide the team some stability on offense, especially with Ja'Lynn Polk, K.J. Osborn and Javon Baker also representing new additions to the wide receiver room. Mayo called Stevenson "one of the better backs in the league" this spring and said "he is our starting running back," though the team did also bring in Antonio Gibson on a three-year, $11.25 million contract this offseason to act as a complementary backfield option.

Hull recently revealed his offseason knee surgery was more extensive than first thought, as he suffered a torn left MCL, also described as a "root tear" of his meniscus, The Athletic reports. He was cleared to return to full football activities a few weeks before OTAs and has participated fully in spring practices.

Moss missed all but one game last season due to a knee injury, but the details of his surgery were not fully known. There's a wide-open competition for the backup role to Jonathan Taylor due to Zack Moss departing in free agency. Trey Sermon is likely the leading candidate, but Hull and Tyler Goodson are in the mix. Either Hull or Goodson could get more work as the third-down or receiving option due to pass-catching ability, but the situation remains fluid, and it's possible the Colts bring another veteran into the mix during training camp.

Mitchell remains the clear No. 2 running back for San Francisco, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Lombardi notes that the Niners have a history of trading backup running backs (Matt Breida, Jeff Wilson) when they're happy with their depth at the position. That could be an option this summer, though it's not necessarily likely, with Mitchell in the final year of his contract and a pair of rookies (fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo, UDFA Cody Schrader) getting work at minicamp. The 49ers also have returning veteran Jordan Mason, but he's mostly played special teams and has never managed to move above Mitchell on the depth chart when Mitchell's been healthy. The long-term plan probably entails Guerendo taking over as the No. 2 RB behind Christian McCaffrey, but Mitchell looks on track to handle the role again this season.

Vikings DT Harrison Phillips said Thursday that he'd "buy stock in Chandler if I could," Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

It sounds like Chandler made a strong impression at spring practices, perhaps increasing his chances to have a key role off the bench behind new starting running back Aaron Jones. Chandler mostly played special teams throughout the first half of last season, but he eventually became the No. 2 running back and later started the final four weeks, averaging 11.8 carries for 52.4 yards (4.5 YPC) and 2.0 catches for 14.5 yards over the final eight games of the season (with three TDs). That makes him a clear favorite for the No. 2 RB job ahead of Myles Gaskin and DeWayne McBride, though it isn't clear how many snaps and touches the role will entail. Jones' history of injuries -- namely five MCL sprains since entering the NFL -- suggests Chandler has a good chance to make starts this season if the Vikings don't add a more experienced backup before Week 1.

Williams (foot) is participating in on-field workouts Thursday.

Williams missed most of OTAs due to a foot injury, but he's returned to the field for the final day of voluntary activities and appears to be handling on-field drills without limitations. Coach Sean McVay continuously downplayed the severity of Williams' injury, and it looks like the starting running back will indeed be ready to go for the start of mandatory minicamp June 10. The Rams could still opt to cap Williams' workload at practice if there are any concerns about his recovery, but it looks like he could be in position to handle the majority of first-team reps during minicamp, with rookie third-round pick Blake Corum, Boston Scott, Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans working behind him.

The Chiefs waived Hall on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Kansas City has decided to part ways with Hall after signing him to a reserve/future contract back in January. The 23-year-old running back out of Georgia Tech has yet to make his NFL debut, but he spent time with the Giants', Cardinals', and Browns' practice squads during his lone season in the league.

Knight (shoulder) has been a limited participant in Lions' OTAs, Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press reports.

Knight sustained a torn labrum and missed the Lions' final 12 games in 2023, but he's been cleared for seven-on-seven and light team work as of last week. The 23-year-old running back has also been ramping up his workload in hopes of returning for Detroit's mandatory minicamp. Once Knight is back at full health, he's expected to compete for a depth spot in the Lions' backfield ahead of the 2024 season.