NFL Player News

Hubbard approaches training camp in a position to secure the lead role in Carolina's 2026 backfield, Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer reports.

With last year's rushing leader Rico Dowdle now with the Steelers, Hubbard will have an opportunity to bounce back from a forgettable 2025 campaign in which injuries contributed to him logging just 511 yards on 134 carries in 15 regular-season contests, after he racked up 1,195 rushing yards on 250 carries in 2024. Also in the mix for backfield work this season will be Jonathon Brooks, who is rebounding from back-to-back ACL surgeries, as well as 2025 fourth-rounder Trevor Etienne. Assuming Hubbard can avoid the injury bug, he figures to see steady volume out of the gate, but Brooks represents a significant threat to his spot atop the depth chart if he's able to prove he's healthy.

As training camp approaches, Rhamondre Stevenson and Henderson remain atop the Patriots' RB depth chart, Avery Hill of the Boston Globe reports.

Though Henderson and Stevenson are in line to continue to share the rushing load in 2026, both players should still have fantasy utility while working in an offense helmed by Drake Maye. In his first year as a pro in 2025, Henderson recorded 180 carries for 911 yards and nine TDs to go along with 35 catches for 221 yards and a score in 17 regular-season contests. Meanwhile, Stevenson gained 603 yards and seven TDs on 130 carries, while adding 32 catches for 345 yards and a pair of receiving scores. While the looming time share remains an issue for Henderson's weekly fantasy floor, the 2025 second-round pick's playmaking ability makes him the upside play in New England's backfield.

Perine is set to reprise his backup role behind Chase Brown this coming season, John Sheeran of atozsports.com reports.

Like Brown, Perine is approaching the last year of his contract. In 15 regular-season contests during the 2025 campaign, Perine logged 382 yards and three touchdowns on 84 carries, while adding 17 catches for 87 yards. As long as Brown remains healthy, Perine's fantasy value is modest, and it's also possible that 2025 sixth-rounder Tahj Brooks carves out a bigger role in 2026 after carrying the ball just 16 times as a rookie.

As training camp approaches, Pollard -- who started all 17 games at running back for the Titans in 2025 -- is expected to again lead a backfield that returns last season's top backup in Tyjae Spears, and which added Nicholas Singleton in the fifth round of April's NFL Draft.

Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site previously noted plenty of speculation that the team might use the fourth overall pick in the draft on Notre Dame running Jeremiyah Love. With Tennessee electing to take Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate instead, Pollard remains atop the depth chart and has his sights set on exceeding 1,000 rushing yards for a fifth straight campaign. The Titans still have Spears to handle passing downs and change-of-pace carries, and Singleton has a chance to factor in as a rookie, but Pollard should maintain steady volume in the final season of the three-year deal he inked with Tennessee in March of 2024.

Tracy's teammate Cam Skattebo, who continues to progress in his recovery from a season-ending ankle injury, was limited in the Giants' mandatory minicamp earlier this month, Bobby Kownack of NFL.com reports.

Skattebo had taken over as the Giants' lead back in 2025, but after sustaining his injury in Week 8, Tracy took on the role, en route to recording 176 carries for 740 yards and two TDs to go along with a 36/288/2 receiving line in 15 regular-season contests. While Skattebo is still ramping up toward full practice participation, he's on track to be "ready to go" ahead of Week 1, thus putting him in a position to reclaim top billing in New York's backfield, though Tracy still figures see his share of touches in 2026 alongside Skattebo, with veteran RB Devin Singletary also in the mix. Eric Gray, Dante Miller and Damon Bankston are also on hand in reserve as training camp approaches.

As Brown approaches the final year of his rookie contract, he remains the Bengals' clear-cut top option at running back, John Sheeran of atozsports.com reports.

Per Ben Baby of ESPN, Brown previously expressed his desire to remain with the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and earlier this offseason the 26-year-old was in communication with the Bengals regarding a possible extension. Brown is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he gained 1,016 yards and six TDs on 232 carries in 17 regular season contests and was sixth among all NFL running backs with 437 receiving yards, while adding five aerial TDs among his 69 catches. Brown is poised to maintain steady weekly volume and fantasy production in 2026 with Samaje Perine set to reprise his role as Brown's top backup, though 2025 sixth-rounder Tahj Brooks could see an uptick in complementary touches after recording just 16 carries as a rookie.

Pitts and the Falcons agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year, $54 million contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Atlanta extended Pitts a franchise tender earlier this offseason, but both sides have agreed to terms on a multi-year deal that includes $36 million fully guaranteed. Per Schefter, Pitts' annual average salary makes him the third-highest paid tight end in the league behind George Kittle (Achilles) and Trey McBride. The Falcons also signed Drake London (undisclosed) to a massive four-year contract in early June, while Bijan Robinson remains a candidate for a new deal after the team exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Pitts produced an 88-928-5 line (118 targets) in 17 regular-season games last year and will look to build chemistry with quarterbacks Michael Penix (ACL) and Tua Tagovailoa this offseason.

Kittle (Achilles) said Tuesday that he feels "definitely on track" for Week 1 though "nothing is 100 percent certain," David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.

Kittle hedged his answer, saying he "has a chance" to be ready for the start of the regular season, but the veteran tight end has been open about the fact that he's targeting a Week 1 return, as have head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch. Per Florito Maniego of NBC Sports Bay Area, Kittle said Monday that he's already resumed running and has been clocked at over 16 miles an hour, which is a notable step in his recovery an Achilles' tear initially suffered Jan. 11. Throughout spring practices and mandatory minicamp, Kittle worked on the side and with trainers, but it's possible he could be ready to ramp up his activity level during training camp in July.

Smith is being investigated in relation to a Sunday afternoon incident in which a woman accused him of battery, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.

Per Cimini, a Davie, Florida police spokesperson noted Tuesday: "We were informed (Monday) evening that, during review, it was determined that this case is being further investigated by detectives. It is active and we cannot release any additional information at this time." Smith was acquired in a March trade with the Raiders and was subsequently named the Jets' starting quarterback for 2026. The team's training camp is set to open July 25th for rookies and July 28 for veteran players.

Walker made a strong impression during the Ravens' spring practices, Jamison Hensley of ESPN reports.

The 2024 fourth-round pick reportedly stood out as a field-stretcher during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, aiding his chances of earning a role behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman (personal). Baltimore added wide receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt in the 2026 NFL Draft, along with rookie tight ends Matthew Hibner and Josh Cuevas, creating significant competition for targets. Walker has nonetheless flashed big-play ability in limited opportunities, turning seven career receptions into 157 yards and three touchdowns, providing reason for excitement if he does manage to make a leap in Year 3.