Bears get RBs back at practice Monday

Head coach Dan Campbell said the RB2 role could be by committee with Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki.

Related players: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco

Campbell said he doesn't see Saylors as the lone RB2 behind Gibbs and Vaki has been getting pretty good reps in practice. Campbell added the team feels Vaki is ready to take on work as a runner, pass protector and receiver, but the team feels good about either back. Campbell added the team has seen more of Saylors in the preseason, which could give him the edge. Pacheco is going to miss at least the first four games and as of now it looks like the team will go with Saylors and Vaki behind Gibbs. It could mean Gibbs is in store for huge workloads in that span.

49ers wide receiver Mike Evans did not practice much at training camp this summer due to injuries, but he’s not concerned about his health heading into Thursday’s opener against the Rams.

“The training staff, they did a great job working with me,” Evans said. “I know I’m an older player. I’ve had probably over a thousand practices, football practices in my life now, so I know what I’m doing out there. They know what they’re doing. They did a good job taking care of me. None of my injuries were significant. If it was a game week, I wouldn’t have missed any time.”

Evans missed time with groin and quad issues and he has a history of hamstring injuries that have cost him time, the story said. The story added he told reporters at a press conference in Australia that this summer’s time off was more about precaution than any limitations he was feeling. Evans is poised for a big role in the Niners offense this season - as long as he stays healthy. Ironically, injuries to Christian Kirk and Ricky Pearsall have made Evans even more important to the offense.

The Falcons will be starting Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1 against the Steelers and they won’t be turning to Michael Penix if they decide to make a change during the game.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said at a Monday press conference that Penix will be inactive for the season opener. Cooper Rush will be the backup to Tagovailoa.

“We’re all on the same page, and feel good about where he is heading,” Stefanski said about Penix, via Tori McElhaney of the team’s website.

Related players: Jack Strand

Penix was cleared for full football activities in late August and did not play in the preseason, but Stefanski said that he has been pleased Penix’s progress as he returns from a torn ACL, the story said. A story came out with Penix, himself, saying he wasn't ready to play yet. Stefanski did not say when he thinks Penix will be ready for game action or what the quarterback depth chart will look like once that’s the case, the story added. The team added Rush this offseason and seems high on Strand as well but Rush will be the QB2.