NFL Player News

The Commanders signed McNichols to a contract Monday.

McNichols spent most of the 2023 season on the 49ers' practice squad. He did suit up for three regular-season games with San Francisco, but he played exclusively on special teams (20 snaps). This offseason, McNichols will get a chance to compete for a depth role behind Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson.

Elliott and the Cowboys have mutual interest in possibly reuniting, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Elliott, who currently remains a free agent and turns 29 in July, played out the 2023 season with the Patriots and suited up for all 17 regular-season games. He rushed 184 times for 642 yards and three touchdowns, with a substantially higher workload during the final five games while Rhamondre Stevenson missed time with an ankle injury. He spent the first seven years with the Cowboys, who currently have only Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn (ankle) and Malik Davis atop the depth chart, so a reunion could make real sense if Zeke is open to a relatively team-friendly deal.

The Dolphins and Mostert agreed to terms Friday on a reworked deal that includes an extension through the 2025 season, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Mostert's new deal with the Dolphins is worth up to $9.1 million over two years. The running back, who turns 32 years old next month, is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he ran for 1,012 yards on 209 carries in 15 regular-season games, while combining for 21 touchdowns (18 rushing and three receiving). During the upcoming season, Mostert is set to reprise his key role in a Miami backfield that also includes dynamic 2023 third-round pick De'Von Achane, as well as Jeff Wilson, Salvon Ahmed and Chris Brooks.

Blackshear signed his contract tender with the Panthers on Thursday, Anthony Rizzuti of USA Today reports.

Blackshear is officially sticking with Carolina on a one-year deal, after having begun the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent. The running back has mostly contributed on special teams and as a kick returner for the Panthers, but he figures to also help as a depth player behind Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders in 2024.

Dobbins (Achilles) is visiting the Chargers on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Dobbins, who was recently medically cleared for football activities, is coming off a left Achilles tear after previously missing all of 2021 and about half of the 2022 season due to a torn ACL and proceeding issues. That medical history undercuts otherwise impressive career numbers for Dobbins, who has averaged 5.8 yards per carry and scored 13 touchdowns since entering the NFL in 2020 as a second-round pick by the Ravens, but only suited up for 24 games in that span. Reuniting with offensive coordinator Greg Roman could make the most sense as a landing spot for Dobbins, but it's possible he doesn't garner more interest than a potential prove-it deal. The Chargers signed Gus Edwards,a former Baltimore backfield mate of Dobbins, early in free agency.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache wrote in a letter to NFL teams Tuesday that Dobbins (Achilles) has received clearance to take part in football activities, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Dobbins underwent surgery for a torn left Achilles on Sept. 15, and he's a little less than seven months removed from his injury. The running back posted a video in late February of him running on turf and then a treadmill, so it would appear he's ready to take the next steps in his recovery. Since the Ravens selected him in the second round of the 2020 Draft, Dobbins has been dynamic when available, averaging a robust 5.8 yards per carry with 12 touchdowns in his 234 rushes over 24 games. However, his medical chart includes a torn ACL in addition to the aforementioned Achilles injury, so he may have to settle for a prove-it deal wherever he ends up. Dobbins is expected to begin visiting teams in the near future.

The Steelers and Patterson agreed to terms on a two-year, $6 million contract Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With this move to Pittsburgh, Patterson reunites with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who he worked under the past three seasons in Atlanta. Patterson reeled off 1,313 rushing yards, 670 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns in 29 games between 2021 and 2022, but his numbers fell off once the Falcons drafted Bijan Robinson. With the Steelers, Patterson will be in a similar spot as the No. 3 RB behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, but the 33-year-old could have a big year as a kickoff returner under the NFL's new rules.

Chubb (knee) is expected to resume load running soon, and the next three months will determine his availability for the start of the 2024 season, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Chubb is expected to graduate from conditioning work "this month", per Browns general manager Andrew Berry. Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports that the general manager also said the running back has done a fantastic job in his rehab thus far, and reiterated that Chubb is expected to remain with the Browns for the 2024 season despite a $15.83 million cap hit in his final year of his contract. Cleveland inked D'Onta Foreman in free agency, adding another depth piece to the backfield alongside Jerome Ford, but the expectation remains that Chubb will operate as the Browns' starter once fully recovered from surgeries to repair the ACL, MCL and meniscus of his left knee. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see Ford and Foreman begin the 2024 campaign with larger workloads, and for Chubb's involvement to grow as the season progresses.

Harris (concussion) announced Monday via his personal Instagram account that he has retired from professional football.

Harris spent his first four seasons with the Patriots before suiting up for six games with the Bills in 2023. He had a limited role for the first six weeks of this past season before suffering a concussion and neck injury and spending hte remainder of the campaign on injured reserve. Rather than attempting to play in 2024, the 27-year-old running back will opt to put his health first and retire at a relatively young age. He finishes his career with 2,485 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns across 44 games.

The Browns and Foreman agreed to a contract Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.

After an injury-riddled start to his career, Foreman has carved at a role in three different backfields over the last three campaigns, averaging 54.4 rushing yards per game and racking up 12 touchdowns on the ground in 35 appearances between the Titans, Panthers and Bears. With his new team, he could get in the act early on if Nick Chubb's recovery from a serious knee injury delays his 2024 season debut, but Jerome Ford likely still would be the team's top back in that scenario.