ESPN's Dan Graziano believes that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren will still have a "significant" backfield role in 2026 after the team signed Rico Dowdle to a two-year, $12.25 million deal in free agency. New head coach Mike McCarthy will not be shy about giving Dowdle most of the early-down carries, but Graziano reminds […]

ESPN's Dan Graziano does not think anyone should be surprised if Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle has a third straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2026 in his first year with the Steelers. Dowdle's first 1,000-yard season came in 2024 with the Dallas Cowboys, when Mike McCarthy was the head coach. He is now the […]

Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) was not practicing on Thursday during the portion open to the media, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Mitchell was working off to the side with a trainer, and he has now missed six straight practices. It is unclear what the 24-year-old is dealing with as the […]

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) was missing from Thursday's practice due to an ongoing ankle injury that he suffered early last week, according to Evan Lazar of the team's official website. The Patriots have been saying that Henderson escaped a major injury, but after not practicing for the last 10 days, fantasy […]

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) traveled with the team to Australia for the Week 1 regular-season opener next Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, but that does not mean that he will play a full game if he is active next week. If Kittle is active, The Athletic's Matt Barrows is […]

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) practiced in full on Thursday for the first time this summer after having ankle surgery in the spring, according to Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star. The Colts are just 10 days away from the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, but now that Pierce is […]

New Orleans Saints veteran running back Alvin Kamara (knee) was not seen on the practice field on Thursday in the portion open to the media, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Kamara still has another week to work himself back into practice and be cleared for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions […]

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said that rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is "progressing" as he rehabs an ankle injury that he suffered late in training camp, according to Howard Balzer of Cards Wire. Love appears to be making progress from what is believed to be a low-ankle sprain, but he could […]

The Athletic's Andrew Destin writes that rookie running back Jadarian Price was not selected with the final pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft to be the direct replacement for Kenneth Walker, nor should he be a replacement for Zach Charbonnet (knee) as he nurses back to health following an ACL tear […]

The Athletic's Matt Barrows thinks the plan is for rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling to be the team's primary F slot receiver and Mike Evans' understudy at the X spot. The Niners brought in veteran Christian Kirk as a free agent, and he has plenty of experience as a slot receiver, but he will […]

The Athletic's Andrew Destin anticipates Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani being used on third downs and in short-yardage and goal-line situations, with rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price being featured plenty on first and second downs. Price was slowed by "upper-leg soreness" early in training camp, making it easier for Seattle to embrace more of a […]

Denver Broncos second-year running back RJ Harvey could be a key part of the team's passing game in 2026, according to Jon Heath of Broncos Wire. After the Broncos took Harvey in the second round last year out of Central Florida, the 25-year-old took on a huge role after J.K. Dobbins' season-ending foot injury and […]

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) has not pitched in a game since July 3 against the San Diego Padres due to inflammation in his left knee and occasional flare-ups of right-biceps discomfort, but he has remained in the everyday lineup as the designated hitter. According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, manager […]

The Arizona Cardinals reached an agreement on Wednesday with standout wide receiver Michael Wilson on a three-year extension that keeps him in Arizona through the 2029 season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Financial terms of the extension were not disclosed by Schefter. Wilson is expected to sign the deal on Thursday. The 26-year-old earned […]

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (lower body) is dressed for practice on Thursday, according to Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan. It will be Flowers' first practice since the team's joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings. The 25-year-old did some sprinting off to the side during Wednesday's practice, but now he is ready to […]

Speaking on teammate Ja'Marr Chase's new podcast, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said he is extremely optimistic about the 2026 season and has high hopes for the team, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "I just want to win this year," Burrow said. "I just want to win. The rest will take care of itself. […]

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced on Thursday that Anthony Richardson Sr. will be the team's No. 2 quarterback behind starter Daniel Jones to start the 2026 season, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Richardson requested a trade in the offseason, but the Colts did not end up moving him, and he will open […]

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts admitted in an interview with GQ magazine that he grew apart from former wide receiver A.J. Brown before the Eagles traded him to the New England Patriots in the offseason, according to ESPN. "Nothing happened, people just grow apart," Brown told NBC Sports' Maria Taylor in June. "Nothing happened between […]

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) has declared himself ready to return on Friday, when he is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list after missing nearly two months with a torn sagittal band on the ring finger of his left hand, according to Kevin Gorman of Pittsburgh Tribune-Live. Griffin should be back […]

Kansas City Chiefs starting defensive tackle Chris Jones (back) sat out Wednesday's practice with a back injury that is not expected to keep him sidelined for long, head coach Andy Reid told Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. From what Goldman understands, it "likely amounts more to veteran rest." The Chiefs are just playing […]

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham will open the 2026 season as the team's backup to starter Bo Nix, head coach Sean Payton told Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. There was some speculation that Sam Ehlinger could push Stidham for the backup gig this summer in training camp, but the 30-year-old Stidham eventually won the job […]

Carolina Panthers veteran tight end Darren Waller continues to ramp up for the start of the 2026 season and was in full pads while taking part in team drills with the first-team offense in Wednesday's practice, according to Kassidy Hill of the team's official website. "It was good," head coach Dave Canales said of Waller's […]

The New York Mets are leaning towards giving right-handed pitching prospect Jonah Tong a start in Miami next week against the division-rival Marlins, according to Mike Puma of The New York Post. It would be only Tong's fourth outing (and first start) for the Mets in 2026 after he had a 7.71 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, […]

Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) left Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners early with tightness in his quadriceps muscle, interim manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Rafaela attempted to stay in the game, but in a blowout, the Red Sox decided to play it safe. Before leaving, […]

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ja'Seem Reed did not make the team's initial 53-man roster heading into their Week 1 clash against the Chicago Bears, but the Panthers re-signed him to their practice squad after he had a strong training camp this summer. The Panthers' WR1, Tetairoa McMillan, singled Reed out as the offensive player that […]

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (heel) did not practice with the team on Wednesday, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Higgins also missed practice on Tuesday with a bruised heel, but head coach Zac Taylor said it was a minor issue. Barring a setback, Higgins should be ready to rock for the Week 1 […]

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (knee) was not in uniform and did not practice on Wednesday, according to Gabi Sorrentino of FOX 19 Cincinnati. Chase hyperextended his left knee while trying to catch a pass last week in training camp practice and has not seen the field since. Head coach Zac Taylor said on […]

Pittsburgh Steelers veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that wide receiver Roman Wilson "is a great kid" and that he "has had a fantastic camp," according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Rodgers went on to say that he has the "utmost confidence" in Wilson, who is "going to have to play a big role" in the […]

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said on Wednesday that he is "optimistic" about reaching a contract extension with quarterback Lamar Jackson, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. "We would love to get a deal done as soon as possible," DeCosta said. The 29-year-old signed a five-year, $260 million extension with Baltimore in April […]

San Francisco 49ers All-Pro pass-rusher Nick Bosa (knee), who practiced with the team on Wednesday, said he is confident he will play in the Week 1 season opener next Thursday in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to Josh Dubow of The Associated Press. The 28-year-old oft-injured defensive end suffered a torn ACL […]