NFL Player News

Wednesday, June 19

• 06/19/13 - 9:23AM ETVick Ballard :Expected to Work Behind Bradshaw

  Ballard is expected to move to a backup role with the Colts signing Ahmad Bradshaw, the Indianapolis Star reports.

  Ballard could still get significant carries as a change-of-pace back, but Bradshaw will likely get the bulk of playing time due to his pass blocking. Bradshaw is recovering from surgery on his foot and has chronic foot problems, so Ballard could step back into a featured role. However, Ballard's fantasy value will take a significant hit with Bradshaw on the roster.

Tuesday, June 18

• 06/18/13 - 3:23PM ETRob Gronkowski : Undergoes Back Surgery

  Gronkowski's back surgery is complete and said to have gone well, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

  Given that a 12-week recovery has been estimated for Gronkowski, his Week 1 availability is cloudy at this point, given that the Patriots' regular season opener is on September 8. A best-case scenario would result in Gronkowski not missing any games, but a cautious approach is likely here, with some speculation already having surfaced that the tight end may start the season on the PUP list.

• 06/18/13 - 10:07AM ETTandon Doss : Wideout Competition In Baltimore

  Doss spent a significant amount of time running with the starters during OTAs and minicamp, the Ravens' official website reports.

  There will be quite a bit of competition at the wide receiver position in Baltimore, and at the moment it doesn't sound like the team plans on adding a notable veteran body to the mix. Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones would be the starters if the season started now, but the Ravens would ideally like to see another player step up and push Jones back to the No. 3 receiver role. Doss and Deonte Thompson are apparently at the front of the pack so far, though it's still too soon to rule out the likes of David Reed, Tommy Streeter, and LaQuan Williams.

• 06/18/13 - 10:07AM ETMaurice Jones-Drew : Says Foot Is Healed

  Jones-Drew (foot) says he's optimistic that he'll be 100 percent when the season opens as he comes back from foot surgery.

  General Manager David Caldwell said the plan is for MJD to be ready to go in time for training camp on July 26. MJD says his foot is healed, which allows him to run and condition, and lose the weight he put on following surgery. Jones-Drew said his primary focus is to strengthen his ankle.

Monday, June 17

• 06/17/13 - 8:15AM ETArian Foster : (Calf) Hopes to be Ready for Training Camp

  Foster (calf strain) said that he will "more than likely" be ready for training camp, ESPN.com reports. "It's just a small calf strain," according to Foster. "News is dry in the offseason, so it made headlines."

  While it's somewhat notable that Foster isn't totally sure that he'll be ready for camp, it sounds like he plans to be, barring any setbacks, and overall, he is downplaying the issue. For his part, coach Gary Kubiak noted last month that the running back had a "pretty good calf strain" at the time, but with training camp more than a month away, Foster still has time to get up to speed and, in turn, justify his high ADP in fantasy drafts.