NFL Player News

We’d heard that they’d had “big plans” for James, but this is more concrete. 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said Isaac Guerendo “wasn’t the team’s second best runner” last year and “fell behind James in that category by the end of the season.” It seems the 49ers believe in Guerendo more as a pass-catcher, but they only have two healthy backs up as an operating principle. James didn’t have much of a regular season, but did have six rushes for 28 yards in garbage time against the eventual champion Seahawks in the Divisional Round. He’ll have some fantasy upside this year behind an aging Christian McCaffrey.

Nabers avoided the PUP list to start training camp, which was a bit of a surprise given the generally negative reporting surrounding his knee injury during the offseason. He suffered a torn ACL and meniscus, both of which required surgery. Nabers also underwent a cleanup procedure during the summer. Though he is still a long way away from fully participating in practice, all signs point to him playing early in the season, if not Week 1 outright.

James possibly had an edge over rookie Kaelon Black for the No. 2 gig in San Francisco heading into camp, but that is entirely out the window now. With Isaac Guerendo also injured, Black is already the last man standing behind Christian McCaffrey. With a decent training camp, he will enter the season as the backup to the most valuable running back in all of fantasy football. Black is officially one of the better late-round dart throws, particularly in leagues with deeper benches.

The swelling is believed to be related to the PCL injury he dealt with last year. That he is still dealing with a lingering issue from 2025 after missing much of his rookie season for other reasons is more than a little concerning for fantasy managers. Christian Kirk is also being held out of practice right now, meaning rookie De’Zhaun Stribling seemingly has the inside track for No. 2 duties right now. With no timeline for his return, Pearsall should tumble down draft boards in the coming days. Stribling, on the other hand, is firmly in the FLEX mix, even in redraft leagues.

Stewart initially limped off the field and was checked out by trainers before riding the cart into the locker room. The fact that he was able to make his way off the field hopefully means this isn’t a major injury, but it’s too early to be sure. The No. 17 overall pick last year struggled with ankle injuries early in his rookie season and later dealt with a knee issue. He appeared in just eight games and recorded one sack. The Bengals were hoping for a year two breakout from Stewart, but he might be in for another slow start if the latest injury costs him much time in camp.

Both Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are holding in to start training camp. Gibbs has two years left on his rookie deal but is currently eligible for an extension and is rightfully looking to cash in. The Lions already committed to him as the centerpiece of their offense this offseason with they traded David Montgomery to Houston. That move gave Gibbs even more leverage, and it’s only a matter of time before the two sides agree to terms. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this year that Gibbs could earn more than $20 million per year. That would put him in line with Saquon Barkley as the league’s highest-paid running back, though he would likely have a longer contract with more in the way of guaranteed money. Though it’s not ideal for Gibbs to miss practice time in camp, with Robinson also holding in, fantasy managers shouldn’t change their approach to the top of the first round based on these developments.

Neither Robinson nor the team can say outright that Robinson is “holding in,” but that’s what is happening here. The same is true of Jahmyr Gibbs, who is also sitting out of practice. Both players are under contract for two more seasons, the second of which is a fifth-year option that has already been exercised by their respective teams. Robinson is coming off another elite rushing season that saw him hit 1,478 yards and seven scores. He also took his receiving output to another level, reeling in 79 passes for 820 yards and four scores. The increase in passing game usage should be enough to make him the league’s highest-paid running back. Saquon Barkley currently makes over $20 million per year, and Robinson will likely exceed that mark when he and the Falcons finally reach an agreement.

Brazell, the 83rd overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, missed a couple recent practices in knee soreness. Canales said the team’s training staff is looking into the injury. A field stretcher in college, Brazell would likely be a situational player in Carolina if he’s fully healthy to begin the regular season. He should remain on waiver wires, however.

It’s not a shocking relelvation by any means. It does, however, confirm that the new-look Miami offense will likely lean heavily toward the run in 2026 with Malik Willis under center. That should include plenty of designed rushes for the dual-threat Willis, along with a heavy dose of touches for Achane. The Dolphins this offseason signed Achane to a four-year extension worth $68 million with clear intentions to use the speedy back as the focal point of the Miami offense. Achane during a Wednesday presser said his goal is to lead the NFL in rushing yards this season. His 1,350 rushing yards in 2025 ranked fifth, while his 5.7 yards per carry ranked first.

Recovering his his 2025 knee injury, Penix was seen Wednesday practicing in seven-on-seven drills but told local media that it would be another “another four weeks, probably, before going to the next stage.” Penix added “it could be earlier.” “It really just depends on how my body is going throughout this whole camp process,” he said. It sounds like Penix won’t be available for Week 1, and could miss the season’s first few games, depending on how he progresses through the final stages of his ACL rehab process. That leaves Tua Tagovailoa, who is sidelined with a back injury, as the presumed Week 1 starter for Atlanta. Cooper Rush, who signed with the team on Wednesday, would likely be the emergency starter if both Tagovailoa and Penix are out. It’s a potentially catastrophic situation for Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and the rest of the Atlanta pass catchers.

Vea this week requested a trade after contract talks with the Tampa front office stalled. That he’s now sidelined with a back injury could be another way of Vea “holding in” until he gets a new deal from the Bucs or the team works out a trade for the star nose tackle. Vea, who has earned two Pro Bowl honors and has been one of the league’s top nose tackle since entering the league in 2018, could fit with any number of contending teams if the Bucs are willing to trade him for draft capital.