NFL Player News

Kaliakmanis made the Commanders' 53-man roster as the third-string quarterback, but he could be the team's backup for Week 1 against the Eagles if Marcus Mariota (knee) is not cleared to play.

Mariota suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee during the Commanders' preseason game against the Dolphins on Aug. 14. The hope for the Commanders is that the veteran quarterback will be available to serve as the backup to Jayden Daniels for Week 1, but if that's not the case, then it would be Kaliakmanis who steps into the QB2 role behind Daniels. Across three preseason games, Kaliakmanis -- a seventh-round pick of the Commanders in the 2026 NFL Draft -- completed 24 of 37 passes for 294 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Estime is listed as the fourth running back on the Saints' 53-man roster, Grant Chachere of SI.com reports.

Estime was able to beat out Zamir White and Devin Neal (hamstring) for that final backfield depth spot on the active roster for the regular season. Estime has worked in a rotational role in his first two years in the NFL, but the 2024 fifth-rounder would operate in a larger role behind Travis Etienne in Week 1 against the Lions if one or both of Alvin Kamara (knee) and Kendre Miller (undisclosed) were to be limited or ruled out.

Laube made the Raiders' 53-man roster at the end of training camp and could operate in an elevated role on offense against the Dolphins in Week 1 if Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is limited or ruled out.

Jeanty suffered a low-ankle sprain during the Raiders' training camp practice Aug. 23. The relief for the Raiders was that it wasn't a high-ankle sprain or worse, and although there's optimism around Jeanty playing Week 1, the injury could limit his effectiveness and playing time. That would open the door for both Mike Washington and Laube to operate in expanded roles on offense, with the latter also seeing the field on special teams as a kickoff returner.

Smith is the third and final running back on the Chiefs' 53-man roster for the 2026 regular season, Matt McMullen of the team's official site reports.

Smith and Emari Demercado entered training camp battling for a depth spot on the Chiefs' active roster, but the former ended up winning that RB3 role behind Kenneth Walker and rookie fifth-rounder Emmett Johnson. Smith, a 2025 seventh-rounder, played in all 17 regular-season games in his rookie campaign, turning 44 carries into 151 yards (3.4 YPC) while catching 25 passes (on 35 targets) for 172 yards and a touchdown. Walker figures to be the bellcow running back for the Chiefs, but Smith could see the field on passing downs to give the former a breather.

Abdullah earned a spot on the Jaguars' 53-man roster following a strong training camp, John Oehser of the team's official site reports.

Abdullah and LeQuint Allen (undisclosed) will enter the regular season as the rotational running backs behind co-starters Bhayshul Tuten (illness) and Chris Rodriguez. Abdullah played in only one of the Jaguars' three preseason games, but he did enough during training camp and joint practices to crack the 53-man roster for the 2026 campaign. The 2015 second-rounder appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Colts last year, finishing with 14 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown along with 16 catches (on 17 targets) for 99 yards.

Martin is the fourth and final wide receiver on the Lions' 53-man active roster for the regular season, Tim Twentyman of the team's official site reports.

Martin is slotted behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa on the wide receiver depth chart, with Kendrick Law (knee) on season-ending injured reserve. The Lions could elevate Tom Kennedy or Lucky Jackson from the practice squad to the active roster for game day. However, for now, Martin is in line to operate in an elevated role in Detroit's offense, especially if one of Brown, Williams or TeSlaa were to miss time.

Saylors earned the trust of coaching staff during training camp and could see consistent playing time on both offense and special teams this season, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Saylors had a strong training camp, and across three preseason games he logged 31 carries for 187 yards while catching five passes (on nine targets) for 40 yards. With Isiah Pacheco (back) on injured reserve with no clear return timeline, Saylors is poised to operate in an elevated role in the offense behind Jahmyr Gibbs, with 2024 fourth-rounder Sione Vaki also in the mix for backfield touches.

Vaki is in line to operate in an elevated offensive role to open the regular season after Isiah Pacheco (back) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Vaki and Jacob Saylors are the two healthy backup running backs on the roster behind Jahmyr Gibbs following Pacheco's placement on IR. Vaki has mostly operated on special teams since entering the league in 2024 as a fourth-round pick, but he'll have the opportunity to rotate with Saylors behind Gibbs for as long as Pacheco is shelved.

Badie was one of four running backs to make the Broncos' 53-man roster following the conclusion of training camp, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin entered training camp battling for a depth spot on the active roster. Badie was the one who earned that fourth and final running back spot, joining backfield teammates J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and rookie fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman, while McLaughlin found a new opportunity in Cleveland on the Browns' practice squad. Badie figures to mostly see the field on special teams as a returner on kickoffs, though he could be in the mix for backfield touches if one of Dobbins, Harvey or Coleman were to miss time.

The 49ers placed Okuayinonu (foot) on injured reserve Friday.

Okuayinonu was already ruled out for Week 1 against the Rams due to a foot injury, which is severe enough for him to go on injured reserve. That means he'll be required to miss at least four games (barring an injury settlement), so the earliest Okuayinonu can return is Week 5 against the Seahawks on Sunday, Oct. 11. In a corresponding move, the 49ers signed edge rusher Khalid Kareem from the Falcons' practice squad to the active roster.