NFL Player News

The Commanders are trading Robinson to the 49ers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Christian McCaffrey has remained healthy all summer, but nearly all of the 49ers' other running backs have missed time with injuries, including Isaac Guerendo (shoulder). Guerendo did return to practice earlier this week, but there's now risk he drops down the depth chart with San Francisco trading for Robinson, who has 40 starts and 22 TDs to his name in the NFL (including playoffs). The Commanders, meanwhile, are left with Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols in the backfield. Washington reportedly will receive a sixth-round pick and eat some of Robinson's $3.4 million base salary, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

New England waived Watts on Friday, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

Watts is among the first of what will be a slew of roster cuts for the Patriots, as next week's deadline to cut down to 53 players looms. The undrafted rookie out of Fort Hays State will work to secure work on a practice squad this season, whether with New England or elsewhere in the league.

Stevenson (undisclosed) didn't play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Giants.

Stevenson, who has been managing an unspecified injury that isn't viewed as significant, sported a non-contact jersey in his return to practice this week, per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, but there's nothing to suggests that his Week 1 status is in any danger. Added clarity in that regard will arrive no later than the Patriots' first official injury/practice report, but as the coming season approaches Stevenson is set to reprise his key role in a backfield that also includes dynamic 2025 second-rounder TreVeyon Henderson, along with fellow returnee Antonio Gibson. Though Henderson remains the upside play from a fantasy standpoint and figures to cut into Stevenson's volume this season, there should be enough touches, in an offense that could lean toward the run, for both players to carry weekly fantasy lineup utility.

Slay (ankle) recorded one assisted tackle during the Steelers' 19-10 preseason win over the Panthers on Thursday.

Slay played only nine defensive snaps Thursday, the same total as fellow starting cornerbacks Joey Porter (hand) and Jalen Ramsey, but that's enough to confirm that he's fully recovered from the ankle issue that forced him to depart practice early in mid-August. The 34-year-old inked a one-year contract with Pittsburgh earlier this offseason and is set to kick off the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 7 versus Justin Fields and the Jets as a starting outside cornerback across from Porter.

Skowronek (toe) played two snaps on special teams during Pittsburgh's 19-10 preseason win over the Panthers on Thursday.

Skowronek is back to full health after having sat out the Steelers' second preseason matchup due to a toe injury, but he didn't get any opportunities on offense during the exhibition finale. The 28-year-old wideout is competing to hang on to a reserve role as next week's cut-downs to a 53-man roster approach.

Porter (hand) played nine defensive snaps during Thursday's preseason win over the Panthers.

Porter had and the first-team defense had their reps limited Thursday, so he and fellow starting cornerbacks Darius Slay (ankle) and Jalen Ramsey were all limited to just nine snaps. That activity confirms, though, that Porter has fully recovered from the hand injury that hampered him earlier in training camp. Pittsburgh's secondary unit looks like one of the best in the league and is slated to enter Week 1 against the Jets on Sunday, Sept. 7 in good health.

The Commanders likely will trade or release Brian Robinson, leaving Ekeler to split backfield work with some combination of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the New York Times.

The decision to move on from Robinson hints at confidence in Washington's backfield alternatives, although Robinson's non-guaranteed $3.4 million salary is also a factor. It remains to be seen if Ekeler will capture some of the work that went to Robinson last season, as there's been talk of Croskey-Merritt potentially getting a lot of carries and Rodriguez taking short-yardage work. Ekeler averaged 4.8 yards on 77 carries and 10.5 yards on 35 catches in the regular season last year, but he missed five games with injuries and fumbled three times (later fumbling a fourth time during the NFC Championship Game).

Giddens is on track for the No. 2 running back role, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder.

Giddens worked ahead of Tyler Goodson in the Colts' second preseason game, even taking a handful of first-team snaps, while Goodson only played with the backups (and then left early due to a shoulder injury). Khalil Herbert (undisclosed) was already unavailable, and Giddens then furthered his case for the backup role by taking six carries for 28 yards. It's still possible the Colts defer to experience and enter Week 1 with Goodson as their No. 2 RB, but Giddens should have a chance to move up soon enough even if he starts off third in the pecking order. That said, there's no real hope for Year 1 fantasy value without workhorse Jonathan Taylor missing time.

The Eagles placed Wilson (knee) on injured reserve Friday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The second-year wideout suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee during practice Tuesday. Wilson previously appeared on track for a depth role, likely standing fourth or fifth on the depth chart at wide receiver. His injury gives recent trade acquisition John Metchie a better chance to make the Week 1 roster.

Moton agreed to terms Friday on two-year, $44 million contract extension with Carolina, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Moton has been a pillar of consistency since the Panthers selected him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, being a useful contributor in both pass protection and as a run blocker, though he's not yet earned a Pro Bowl nod in his career. The 31-year-old starting right tackle is now under contract through 2027.