NFL Player News

Sermon wasn't tendered by the Colts, making him an unrestricted free agent, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Sermon rushed 35 times for 160 yards as a member of the Colts in 2023, but the team didn't retain his rights as a restricted free agent, even after watching fellow running back Zack Moss sign with the Bengals in free agency. Sermon will look to sign with another team and compete for a roster spot in camp.

Robinson looks set to benefit from what should be an improved offense in his second NFL season after quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) agreed to a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta on Monday.

Robinson, the eighth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, fell just short of 1,000 rushing yards (976) as a rookie but showcased a three-down skill set, boosting his fantasy totals with a 58-487-4 receiving line. Cousins still needs to complete his recovery from Achilles surgery, but his steady hand under center should boost Robinson's prospects, and the Atlanta offense as a whole. The addition of Cousins should also yield a more multi-dimensional offense, as Robinson and fellow running back Tyler Allgeier faced eight-plus defenders in the box 20.6 and 30.7 percent of the time last season, respectively, with opposing defenses often keying in on the run while lesser quarterbacks in Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke were directing the Atlanta offense. Robinson will be a popular breakout candidate for the 2024 campaign, thanks to the tantalizing promise of an Atlanta offense finally being headlined by competent quarterback play.

Prentice is re-signing with the Saints on a one-year contract, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Prentice spent the previous three seasons in New Orleans, appearing in 31 games and producing 63 scrimmage yards on nine rushing attempts and eight receptions. The fullback will likely continue to be used primarily in a blocking capacity in 2024.

Mitchell (knee) appears poised to work in a complementary role in the Baltimore backfield in 2024 after Derrick Henry agreed to a two-year contract with the Ravens on Tuesday, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mitchell and Justice Hill now become the top backups to Henry, a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL rushing leader, while J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) appears set to leave Baltimore in free agency and Gus Edwards is slated to join the Chargers. Both Mitchell and Hill boast speed and pass-catching chops, making them worthy complements to Henry's overpowering rushing style, though Hill has the benefit of not needing to work his way back from an ACL tear. General manager Eric DeCosta said in February that he's confident Mitchell will work his way back from injury and contribute during the 2024 season, according to Jonas Shaffer of TheBaltimoreBanner.com, but the timing of Mitchell's injury -- which he suffered in December -- makes his availability for Week 1 uncertain. Mitchell showcased elusiveness and big-play potential in limited action as a rookie, so if he can avoid losing his quick-twitch ability in the rehab process, he could prove to be a valuable contributor behind Henry, when healthy.

Chestnut (hamstring) is re-signing with the Titans on a one-year contract, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Chestnut appeared in six games with Tennessee as a rookie in 2022 but was limited to three appearances in 2023 before going on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. Once healthy, he'll compete for a depth role in a backfield now headlined by free-agent signing Tony Pollard rather than Derrick Henry.

The Panthers tendered a contract to Blackshear on Monday.

Blackshear was an exclusive rights free agent, so the Panthers secured his rights with this move. The running back played sparingly on offense in 2023 and accrued 91 scrimmage yards on 14 carries and six receptions, but Blackshear also served as the team's kickoff returner on special teams.

Hill will likely handle a secondary role in the Baltimore backfield in 2024 after Derrick Henry agreed to a two-year contract with the Ravens on Tuesday, Brian Wacker of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Though they allowed Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) to reach free agency, the Ravens moved quickly to add a true No. 1 running back in Henry, whose size and power will complement Lamar Jackson's elusiveness. After Dobbins went down with a season-ending injury Week 1, Hill stepped into an elevated role out of the backfield and finished with career highs in carries (84) and rushing yards (387) while scoring three times on the ground. The addition of Henry will make it tough for Hill to replicate that rushing workload, though his pass-catching skills should make him the Ravens' clear top option on passing downs, at least until Keaton Mitchell (knee) completes his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in December.

Ahmed (foot) agreed Wednesday with the Dolphins on a one-year contract, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The 25-year-old running back has played in 38 games over four seasons since catching on with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2020, taking 163 carries for 593 yards (3.6 YPC) and five touchdowns and adding 40 catches for 274 yards and another score on 57 targets. Ahmed mostly saw playing time in obvious passing situations in 2023 before a foot injury ended his season in November. The Dolphins haven't provide an update on his recovery or revealed whether he needed surgery. In any case, Ahmed will compete for a depth role during training camp and the preseason.

Pierce looks slated to work as the backup to Joe Mixon, DJ Bien-Amie of ESPN reports.

Pierce will no longer have to compete with Devin Singletary, who won the starting job down the stretch in 2023 before leaving in free agency, but he now faces a stronger obstacle to touches in the form of Mixon, who had 257 carries for 1,034 yards and nine TDs last year and boasts a true three-down skillset. As a rookie in 2022, Pierce burst onto the scene with 939 rushing yards, but he disappointed in Year 2 with just 416 yards on the ground. The 2022 fourth-round pick could bounce back if he can better adjust to the running scheme introduced last offseason by offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, but the team could also add more competition to this backfield ahead of Week 1.

Chandler is poised to back up Aaron Jones, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Chandler briefly stood atop Minnesota's depth chart following the release of Alexander Mattison, but the addition of a veteran with true three-down capabilities in Jones likely returns him to a complementary role. That said, the 29-year-old Jones has battled injuries in recent years, playing just 11 games in 2023, while Chandler flashed some upside in limited opportunities last season while averaging 4.5 YPC. He remains an interesting stash for fantasy purposes, though the Vikings could also add further depth to their backfield in free agency or the draft.