Browns RB Duke Johnson was still in concussion protocol on Monday.
Coach Mike Pettine declined to say if Johnson would be ready by Sunday, but the reports the Browns plan to promote Shaun Draughn off the practice squad suggest Johnson is questionable at best for Week 1. Isaiah Crowell will open the season as the Browns' clear lead back. Related: Isaiah Crowell
Bills RBs coach Anthony Lynn said Karlos Williams is the team's No. 2 running back.
Lynn said Williams earned the role in training camp. Williams' spot on the depth chart could prove to be important this week with LeSean McCoy questionable with a hamstring injury. McCoy got in a limited practice session on Tuesday.
The Lions' Week 1 depth chart lists Joique Bell (knee, Achilles') as the starting running back.
Theo Riddick is listed second, with playmaking rookie Ameer Abdullah coming in third. It's best to never read too deeply into these things, but at least ceremonially, the Lions aren't docking Bell after he missed the preseason, and plodded through most of 2014. Abdullah will challenge for work right away. Riddick is a strict pass catcher. Related: Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick
Ameer Abdullah is listed as the third-string running back on the Lions' Week 1 depth chart.
It's important to remember that depth charts are often ceremonial, but the Lions have made it clear Joique Bell will be their Week 1 starter. Theo Riddick is listed as the No. 2, but we expect Abdullah to out-touch his pass-catching backfield mate. Whatever his depth chart listing, Abdullah's upside remains through the roof. Bell was ineffective for most of 2014, is coming off two injuries and missed the preseason. He doesn't have much rope at No. 1. Related: Joique Bell, Theo Riddick
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports Alshon Jeffery (calf) is "progressing well," and that "the hope" is that he'll be ready for Sunday's opener against the Packers.
Per Rapsheet, Jeffery is "making strides to get there" for Week 1. It's still far from a guarantee that he'll suit up, but that's what the tea leaves have been suggesting. Bunkering down like it's the Cold War, the Bears are shedding no light on Jeffery's status, and prohibiting him from speaking to reporters. The Bears' first injury report will come out on Wednesday, but we might not get a comfortable feel for Jeffery's status until Friday.
Bills RBs coach Anthony Lynn hints LeSean McCoy will be the team's goal-line back.
Not that it's a surprise, but Lynn doesn't sound like a man who's expecting rookie Karlos Williams to vulture McCoy's touchdown chances. "(Shady's) done a good job in goal-line and short yardage," Lynn said. "Sometimes it's not the biggest, most powerful back. It's the back with the best instincts and feel." McCoy's value took a major hit down the stretch last season when Eagles coach Chip Kelly stopped feeding him the rock inside the five. At least for now, it's not a concern in Buffalo.
Michael Floyd is listed as a starter ahead of John Brown on the Cardinals' official depth chart.
Brown's ascendancy — and chemistry with Carson Palmer — is well documented, but the Cardinals aren't ready to make anything depth-chart official. In reality, it could be Larry Fitzgerald, and not Brown or Floyd, who ends up third on the totem pole this season. For now, our best guess for targets is Fitz, Brown and Floyd. It's a fluid situation. Related: Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown
