RB Jamaal Williams To Visit Dolphins
Jamaal Williams took part in a workout with the Bears over the weekend. Another free agent visit has now been lined up. 
Williams will meet with the Dolphins today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Miami’s backfield is set to be led once again by De’Von Achane, with 2024 fourth-rounder Jaylen Wright set to operate in a backup role. Raheem Mostert was released this spring in a move which came as little surprise. He ended up signing with the Raiders, while fellow veteran Alexander Mattison departed Vegas to sign with Miami.
Mattison suffered a season-ending neck injury during yesterday’s preseason contest, however. In the wake of that development, the Dolphins will look into one of the top options still on the market deep into free agency. Ex-Miami RB Jeff Wilson recently re-joined the 49ers, taking one of the most experienced backs off the table. The Dolphins still have Achane and Wright in the fold, along with sixth-round rookie Ollie Gordon.
That trio could stand to receive a veteran addition, though. Williams has 117 appearances and 45 starts to his name. After playing out his rookie contract with the Packers, the 30-year-old enjoyed a productive two-season spell in Detroit; during the 2022 campaign, Williams topped 1,000 yards for the first time and led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns. Over the past two years with the Saints, a relatively minor role failed to yield notable production.
Williams was released this spring, and coming off a campaign with only 48 carries it comes as little surprise he is still unsigned at this point. The BYU product could offer short-yardage value to a new team, though, and it will be interesting to see if that winds up being the Dolphins given the injury to Mattison. With almost $12MM in cap space, Miami will easily be able to afford a one-year offer to Williams if today’s workout goes well.
Dolphins RB Alexander Mattison Undergoes Season-Ending Neck Surgery
Alexander Mattison will not be available to the Dolphins in 2025. The veteran running back is dealing with a neck injury which will require season-ending surgery, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. 
Mattison was injured during yesterday’s preseason game against the Bears. He was transported by ambulance to a Chicago hospital, and Fowler’s colleague Adam Schefter reports the procedure took place shortly thereafter. A 2025 free agent signing, Mattison will now hit free agency next spring after a missed campaign.
Over the course of his five-year Vikings tenure, Mattison operated at first as Dalvin Cook‘s backup. Minnesota moved on from Cook ahead of the 2023 campaign, during which Mattison took on RB1 duties. The 27-year-old set a career high in carries (180) and yards (700) but his 3.9 yards per attempt average left plenty to be desired. Mattison spent 2024 with the Raiders, logging seven starts as part of an offense which struggled to find any success on the ground. As expected, a poor showing hindered his market value.
Mattison took a one-year Miami pact worth $1.38MM in March. That move set him up to handle a role backing up De’Von Achane in the Dolphins’ backfield, one which will be without Raheem Mostert or Jeff Wilson in 2025. Mostert was released, while Wilson remained unsigned until recently. Losing Mattison will leave the Dolphins short on experience behind Achane, 2024 fourth-rounder Jaylen Wright and sixth-round rookie Ollie Gordon.
Miami entered Monday with nearly $12MM in cap space. As a result, finances will not be an issue if a free agent addition is to be pursued. Achane is not in danger of losing his starting spot, of course, but healthy depth would be welcomed in the wake of today’s news. Mattison, meanwhile, will turn his attention to the recovery process ahead of free agency in 2026.
Jets RB Breece Hall Candidate For Midseason Trade?
Questions about Breece Hall‘s Jets future arose leading up to the draft. The fourth-year running back was not traded and received assurances from new head coach Aaron Glenn that he would remain in place for 2025. 
In spite of that, it remains to be seen if a commitment beyond the coming campaign will be made. 2022 draftees Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson have both received monster extensions, but other members of the class are in position to wait for new deals. That includes Hall, who is entering the final year of his rookie pact and recently confirmed he does not expect an extension to take place any time soon.
As a result, questions about the former second-rounder’s future could continue depending on how he and the Jets perform to begin the 2025 campaign. According to Sportkeeda’s Tony Pauline, some close to the matter “speculate” Hall could still wind up being dealt before this season’s trade deadline. Such a move would lead to 2024 Day 3 selections Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis taking on larger roles in the backfield. Glenn has indicated a desire for a backfield committee approach, meaning a true workhorse gig in Hall’s case would come as a surprise.
The Iowa State product’s encouraging rookie season was cut short by an ACL tear. Expectations were high for Hall upon returning to the lineup in 2023, but his 4.5 yards per carry average marked a notable decline. Averaging 4.2 yards per attempt last season, Hall once again topped 1,300 scrimmage yards but struggled to regain his former efficiency. The 2025 campaign will be critical in his case given the potential of a free agent departure next spring.
The Jets’ new regime did not select a running back in April’s draft, an indication Hall will have a run atop the depth chart to at least begin the coming season. The team’s success through the first two months of the campaign will of course be critical in determining how the trade deadline is approached for New York. In the absence of a investment for 2026 and beyond in Hall’s case, it will be interesting to see if the prospect of a trade gains steam over time or if an encouraging start to the campaign quells speculation about such a move.
Commanders Sign CBs Antonio Hamilton, Essang Bassey; T Lucas Niang Out For Season
A set of Sunday workouts for the Commanders quickly resulted in a deal being worked out for linebacker Duke Riley. More signings have taken place on Monday. 
The Riley deal is now official, per the team. It was also announced that cornerbacks Essang Bassey and Antonio Hamilton have been signed. Both of them took part in yesterday’s workout, as noted by The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.
Bassey has spent his entire career in the AFC West to date, bouncing between the Chargers and Broncos. The 26-year-old has 43 appearances and five starts to his name, and he will spend the coming weeks looking to carve out a special teams role. Hamilton, like Bassey, joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent but he has managed to stay in the league for nine years. Hamilton has made 18 starts (nine of which came with the Cardinals in 2023) but with 190 games to his name he will add experience to Washington’s secondary.
In corresponding moves, edge rusher Viliami Fehoko, cornerback Allan George and linebacker Dominique Hampton have been waived. Hampton was a fifth-round pick last year, so even though he made just one appearance as a rookie it is somewhat surprising to see him let go at this point. All three players will now hit the waiver wire; provided they go unclaimed, each will become a free agent.
The Commanders also placed offensive tackle Lucas Niang on injured reserve, ending his season. Head coach Dan Quinn announced yesterday (via JP Finlay of NBC Sports) that Niang suffered an ACL tear. The former Chief signed with Washington this spring and was set to handle a backup role along the offensive line. Now, that unit’s depth will take a hit behind Laremy Tunsil, Andrew Wylie and first-round rookie Josh Conerly Jr. Veteran cornerback/special teamer Kevon Seymour was also moved to IR on Monday. Unless he is released via an injury settlement, his season is over as well.
Titans RB Tyjae Spears To Miss Time
The Titans could be shorthanded in the backfield to begin the regular season. Tyjae Spears is dealing with a high ankle sprain and is set to miss time as a result. 
[RELATED: Reviewing Titans’ Offseason]
Head coach Brian Callahan said (via ESPN’s Turron Davenport) the team does not expect Spears to return in time for either of Tennessee’s remaining preseason games. Missed time in September could be in store as well depending on how his recovery process shakes out. Spears is in line to once again operate as part of a tandem with Tony Pollard in 2025.
Pollard topped 1,000 rushing yards for the third consecutive season during his debut Tennessee campaign. Spears – who impressed as a rookie spelling Derrick Henry – missed five games last year as a result of multiple injuries. That limited the former third-rounder to 536 scrimmage yards in 2024, but a clean bill of health for the coming season could see him take on an increased workload and thus enjoy an uptick in production. If Spears is forced to miss regular season game action, Julius Chestnut and sixth-round rookie Kalel Mullings would be tasked with backing up Pollard.
In other Titans injury news, Callahan noted center Lloyd Cushenberry is nearing a return. The 2024 free agent addition suffered an Achilles tear last season, and he has been on the active/PUP list throughout training camp while continuing to rehab. Cushenberry could return to practice this week, per Callahan, something which would be a welcomed sight for the Titans’ new-look offensive line.
Callahan also said cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is close to returning. A number of updates (ranging from positive to worrisome) have emerged in his case, but the latest indicated Sneed’s 2024 quad injury has healed. An offseason knee surgery was instead responsible for the trade acquisition landing on the active/PUP list in July. Sneed missed 12 games last year, so a healthy campaign this time around would be key for himself and Tennessee’s secondary.
5 Key Stories: 8/3/25 – 8/10/25
Preseason is in full swing around the NFL. As the countdown to Week 1 continues, key developments on a number of fronts have taken place recently. In case you missed any of this week’s top stories, here is a quick recap:
- Chargers Reunite With Allen, Lose Slater: Shortly after taking a free agent visit with the Chargers, Keenan Allen agreed to return to his original team. While playing out the 2024 season in Chicago, the six-time Pro Bowler remained a productive starter and expressed a willingness to remain with the Bears or return to Los Angeles. By taking the latter route, Allen will continue adding to his decorated Bolts tenure in a receiver room which lost Mike Williams to retirement this summer. In unwanted news for the team, left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon in practice. The recently-extended Pro Bowler will miss the season as a result. Joe Alt represents an enviable contingency option on the blindside, but losing Slater marks a massive blow for the Chargers’ offense.
- Sieler Lands Dolphins Raise: Over the course of his Dolphins career, defensive tackle Zach Sieler has emerged as one of the team’s most important defenders. The 29-year-old represented an extension candidate this offseason as a reflection of his high-end production, and one was in fact worked out. Team and player agreed to a three-year, $67.75MM pact despite the fact Sieler still had two years remaining on his previous contract. The former seventh-round pick has notched 10 sacks in each of the past two seasons, and with $34MM in cashflow covering 2025 and ’26 he will be expected to remain one of the league’s standout interior defenders for years to come.
- NFLPA Taps White As Interim Leader: The NFLPA has sought stability in the wake of Lloyd Howell and, shortly thereafter, J.C. Tretter, resigning from their respective positions. A search for Howell’s interim replacement as executive director resulted in David White being hired for the role. White was the runner-up to Howell during the hiring process in 2023, and he will now get the opportunity to lead the union on at least a short-term basis. Numerous scandals led to an abrupt end for Howell and Tretter, and White will be tasked with restoring trust from the NFLPA’s members while at the helm. The search for a full-time executive director will begin shortly and include each team’s player representative along with the union’s senior committee members.
- Rams Extend Williams: Throughout the 2025 offseason, signs pointed to an extension being worked out between running back Kyren Williams and the Rams. To no surprise, then, an agreement was reached with plenty of time before Week 1. Williams landed a three-year, $33MM pact containing $23MM in guaranteed money. Los Angles’ lead back is under contract through 2028 as a result, and he is thus positioned to remain a focal point on offense for years to come. Williams, 24, received 260 offensive touches in 2023 and 350 last season. He will be counted on to continue in a workhorse role while attempting to return to his previous mark in terms of efficiency. Now seventh in the position’s pecking order for average annual value, Williams is set to serve as a core member of the Rams’ offense for the foreseeable future.
- McGary, Falcons Agree To Extension: The Falcons extended left tackle Jake Matthews in March, and they did the same with right tackle Kaleb McGary ahead of his seventh Atlanta campaign. The latter took a two-year, $30MM deal to remain in place through 2027. McGary has emerged as one of the league’s top run blockers and has been a mainstay up front for the Falcons throughout his tenure. The former first-rounder secured a raise in terms of AAV on his third career contract, and his ongoing presence will allow for continuity along Atlanta’s O-line. It will be interesting to see if the team’s notable investments in the unit will help allow for a playoff berth in 2025.
Commanders To Sign LB Duke Riley
Sunday saw the Commanders host seven linebackers on a free agent visit. That effort has produced at least one signing.
Duke Riley has a deal in place with Washington, his agents told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The news comes not long after it was revealed Riley was among the veterans who took part in a workout today (h/t Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). With 124 appearances in the NFL, he will certainly add experience to the position in the nation’s capital.
The Commanders’ depth linebackers have not stood out in the preseason, according to ESPN’s John Keim, and 2024 fifth-rounder Jordan Magee has also missed time. At a minimum, Riley is a trusted camp body who can absorb preseason snaps as needed, but his extensive experience as a special teams ace could give him a chance at a roster spot.
Riley, 31, appeared in all but one game for the Dolphins over the last four years. He was a core special teams contributor with a rotational role on defense until last year, when his defensive snap count plummeted to 42 under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. It was clear that Riley would not receive another short-term contract in Miami, and he drew little interest on the free agent market this spring.
In Washington, the veteran linebacker will reunite with head coach Dan Quinn, who held the same position in Atlanta when the Falcons drafted Riley in 2017. The former third-round pick started 16 games across his first two seasons before an October 2019 trade to the Eagles, where he initially played special teams before taking over a starting role in 2020. A pre-existing relationship with Quinn and familiarity with his scheme should allow Riley to settle in quickly.
The Commanders’ group of workouts also included linebackers Amare Barno, Nicholas Morrow, Tanner Muse, Ronnie Perkins, Sione Takitaki, and Oshane Ximines, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.
49ers To Bring Back RB Jeff Wilson
Jeff Wilson‘s recent workout for the 49ers did not result in a deal. With his original team dealing with a number of injuries in the backfield, though, a signing will now take place. 
Wilson is headed back to San Francisco, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The former UDFA was with the 49ers from 2018 to the midway point of the 2022 campaign. A trade from the 49ers to the Dolphins allowed him to work with Mike McDaniel, a familiar face given his previous work under Kyle Shanahan.
During his time in Miami (which wound up lasting 27 games), Wilson managed an average of 4.5 yards per attempt; that equals his career mark. The 29-year-old only received 141 carries during that span, though, so it came as no surprise when the Dolphins elected not to re-sign him in the spring. Wilson remained on the open market well into training camp, and he and Ameer Abdullah visited the 49ers late in July. Abdullah landed a deal following his workout.
At the moment, however, Abdullah has a ribs injury. As Matt Barrow of The Athletic notes, Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James are also on the mend. As a result, Wilson should be able to handle a role in the backfield rotation during upcoming practices as well as San Francisco’s two remaining preseason contests. Sorting out the depth chart behind Christian McCaffrey will be a team priority over the coming weeks.
Wilson’s most productive full 49ers season came in 2020 when he amassed 733 scrimmage yards and scored 10 total touchdowns. A repeat of those figures would come as a surprise, of course, but the North Texas product could carve out a spot on the 53-man roster depending on other running back situations on the health front. San Francisco entered Sunday with nearly $47MM in cap space, so this reunion will not impact any other moves the team makes leading up to Week 1.
Raiders, S Terrell Edmunds Agree To Deal
Terrell Edmunds recently visited the Raiders, and that workout clearly went well. The veteran safety has an agreement in place, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The team has since announced the move. 
Lonnie Johnson Jr.‘s broken fibula has left the Raiders short on depth in the secondary. A return at some point during the regular season is expected, but the Edmunds visit was arranged knowing Johnson will be unavailable for a stretch. Now, Edmunds will have the remainder of training camp and the preseason to audition for a roster spot.
The former first-rounder operated as a full-time starter from 2018-22 with the Steelers. Since then, Edmunds has not managed to earn much in the way of defensive playing time. A return to Pittsburgh took place last season, following a run of backup gigs with the Eagles, Titans and Jaguars. Second-team action should also be in store upon arrival in Vegas.
The Raiders lost Tre’von Moehrig and Marcus Epps during free agency while signing Jeremy Chinn as a new safety starter. Isaiah Pola-Mao was also retained, allowing him to remain a first-team contributor as well. Thomas Harper and Christopher Smith are also in the mix, and Edmunds will look to compete with those two for a role ahead of roster cuts at the end of the month.
In a corresponding move, receiver Seth Williams has been waived with an injury designation. The 25-year-old will revert to injured reserve once he goes unclaimed. After that, a release by means of an injury settlement will likely take place.
Broncos DE Matt Henningsen Suffers Torn Achilles
Matt Henningsen will not be available to the Broncos in 2025. The third-year Broncos defensive end suffered a torn Achilles, head coach Sean Payton said (via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). 
As a result of the injury, Henningsen will miss the coming campaign. The 2022 sixth-rounder managed to take part in every regular season game during his first two Denver seasons, but that will not be the case this time around. Henningsen’s attention will turn to a lengthy recovery process ahead of 2026, the final year of his rookie contract.
The 26-year-old maintained a steady workload across the 2023 and ’24 campaigns, handling a 20% snap share on defense. Henningsen has also chipped in on special teams, logging 375 snaps in that regard. The Wisconsin product has amassed 40 tackles and one sack to date, but those figures will not change until the 2026 season at the earliest.
Denver has Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper set to reprise their roles as starters along the edge. The interior of the team’s defensive line will also have continuity with Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and John Franklin-Myers returning from last season. That defensive front will be expected to remain among the league’s best as the Broncos attempt to improve off last year’s success.
Losing Henningsen will deal a blow to the team’s depth up front, though. Denver could look to add a depth piece at the defensive end spot as a replacement option, although with roughly $5.5MM in cap space the team is currently near the bottom of the league in available funds.