NFL Player News

Chargers OC Mike McDaniel said Monday that Mitchell will have an offensive role on game days this season, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.

McDaniel specifically mentioned all three of Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal and Mitchell will have roles in the offense. "All three of those guys will start at that point given the nature of the NFL," McDaniel said. "I will use all three of those guys every game." Mitchell signed a two-year, $9.25 million deal with the Bolts in the offseason, and that's not chump change for a running back, so the money itself suggests McDaniel has a vision for him. Armed with a 4.37 40 time and elite burst, Mitchell is a dream fit in McDaniel's offense that is built on speed. The Chargers have already been experimenting with Mitchell in the passing game this summer. He's a high-upside, lottery-ticket pick in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.

Bo Nix said Monday that Engram has been more involved in the running game and as a blocker during training camp, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Nix singled out Engram's willingness to work on his blocking this summer and said the veteran tight end is "doing well" in that area of his game, and it could lead to Engram playing more snaps and getting more involved in the play-action passing offense. Engram signed a two-year, $23 million deal with the Broncos ahead of the 2025 season but went on to play a career-low 42 percent of the offensive snaps across 16 regular-season games. It led to Engram catching just 50 of 76 targets for 461 yards and one touchdown in those contests. His 28.8 yards per game average was the second-lowest in his nine-year career. If Engram can earn coach Sean Payton's trust as a blocker, it could certainly help boost his playing time and receiving production.

Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said the 49ers are "just managing" McCaffrey (undisclosed), who missed Monday's practice due to "tightness," Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kubiak also told Wagoner that McCaffrey is "a little sore," but the standout running back is "doing fine." The 49ers also are dealing with injuries to others in the backfield, namely Jordan James (broken ribs), Kaelon Black (adductor) and Isaac Guerendo (pectoral, active/PUP), meaning Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick and Khalil Herbert currently are the healthy options at the position. Kubiak's comments indicate the team will take a cautious approach with McCaffrey until he's fully healthy.

Sadiq (hernia) is listed as Mason Taylor's backup at tight end on the Jets' first unofficial depth chart Monday, Eric Allen of the team's official site reports.

It's not at all surprising considering Sadiq has barely been able to practice with the team after undergoing hernia surgery in the spring before experiencing a setback with his recovery in the early days of training camp. Sadiq and Taylor, while both listed as tight ends, also essentially play different positions, as Taylor is expected to operate as a block-first traditional tight end while Sadiq plays detached from the line in more of a big slot role.

Cooper is listed behind Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchellon the Jets' initial unofficial depth chart, Eric Allen of the team's official site reports.

Preseason depth charts can often be taken with a grain of salt, especially when it comes to rookies, and it's not especially surprising to see Cooper listed behind a pair of returnees. In any case, the 2026 first-rounder figures to see his share of snaps out of the gate this season in three-receiver sets, with the Indiana product's fantasy upside hinging on how quickly and how well he and veteran QB Geno Smith build their on-field chemistry.

Ferrell (undisclosed) is expected to be out for multiple weeks, Alain Poupart of SI.comreports.

Head coach Jeff Hafley indicated that Ferrell would take weeks to return due to an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal with Miami in late July and was expected to compete for a rotational edge-rusher role, but his roster spot may be in jeopardy as a result of the injury. Ferrell, who has now been on five different teams in five seasons, most recently suited up for the 49ers, where he recorded 24 tackles, including 4.0 sacks, in eight regular-season games in 2025.

Coach Sean Payton noted Monday that Dobbins has a soft tissue injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Dobbins left Monday's practice with a trainer, with his exit due to an unspecified soft-tissue injury. Per DiLalla, Payton thinks that the running back will be fine, but it looks like Dobbins' practice participation could be impacted ahead of Friday's preseason opener against the Falcons. If that's the case, added practice reps will be available for RJ Harvey, Jonah Coleman and Jaleel McLaughlin.

Lane has been the buzz of Ravens training camp over the first couple weeks, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.

According to Mink, Lane is making highlight-reel catches on what feels like a daily basis, and even Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com said Saturday that in his 27 years of covering the team, Lane has had the best rookie training camp he's ever seen. While Lane is doing it all on the practice field, he'll need to replicate it during preseason action if he's going to keep surging for a role in three-wide sets alongside Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Third-round rookie Lane's top competition for snaps appears to be Devontez Walker and 2026 fourth-rounder Elijah Sarratt.

McCaffrey won't practice Monday due to "tightness," Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

McCaffrey is the latest 49er to catch the injury bug that has plagued the team in the early stages of training camp, joining fellow RBs Jordan James (broken ribs), Kaelon Black (adductor) and Isaac Guerendo (pectoral, active/PUP) on the sideline. That leaves Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick and Khalil Herbert as the team's healthy options at the position just three days before the team's preseason opener Thursday against the Titans. San Francisco likely will continue to exercise caution with McCaffrey until he's back to 100 percent.

Davis (hamstring) returned to practice as a limited participant Monday, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports

After injuring his hamstring on July 28, Davis returned to the New England practice field Monday on a limited basis, making it likely that he avoided a severe tear. The 29-year-old is once again in line to be one of the starting outside cornerbacks for a top-performing Patriots defense alongside Christian Gonzalez. Davis will look to continue his solid defensive play from 2025, when he recorded 69 tackles and 10 pass deflections across 17 regular-season games.