The Facts: Could Henry be the first player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons? HC Mike Vrabel was asked about finding the right balance for Henry while being careful not to overwork him. "It's no secret that Derrick is a large part of what we are, and who we are as a football team," Vrabel said. "We try to be smart as we prepare. Nobody prepares for the rigors of the season more than Derrick." Reported by TitansOnline.com

Diehards Line: Vrabel continued: "I'm not going to say that Derrick is the hardest working player in football; I wouldn't do that to the players around this league. But I can't imagine that any of them work harder than he does, and he understands that, and the toll that he is going to take. ..." Speaking with season ticket holders, Vrabel kidded with one who expressed concern over his workload following a year when Henry ran for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns on 378 carries. "You can't have it both ways," Vrabel said with a smile. "You can't want 2,000 yards, and then have him standing next to me. ..." A reminder: The season is now 17 games long.

The Facts: After Carson agreed to return to the Seahawks, Russell Wilson went on social media to endorse the move. Wilson was "definitely in my ear" about re-signing, the running back said Thursday. Carson will start, but Rashaad Penny also will get playing time. The Seahawks drafted Penny in the first round in 2018, but he played only three games last season while continuing to recover from a knee injury. Carson believes he and Penny can get the job done. "I think we can be one of the top rushing duos in the league," Carson said. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Carson added: "We both bring a different feel to the game, like different attributes. But we complement each other so well. I feel like his limit is ridiculous once he starts getting his feet wet in the game. I think it's going to be something special." Carson's 12 100-yard games since 2018 are fifth-most in the NFL, but after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, he rushed for only 681 in 12 games last season. The Seahawks were 2-2 in the four games Carson missed with a foot injury. "Man, that was my whole goal last season was to play 16 games," Carson said. "And when it didn't happen, going through that period was stressful." Neither Carson nor Penny ever has played a full, 16-game schedule. The team hopes both can make it through a full, 17-game season this season.

The Facts: The Los Angeles Rams offense slipped the last couple of seasons under Sean McVay, particularly the passing game in 2020. To reverse that trend, the Rams imported two key veterans: quarterback Matthew Stafford and wideout DeSean Jackson. On Thursday, Woods said he's looking forward to what the quarterback with the big arm can bring to McVay's offense. "Excited for what he brings to our offense, just seeing what he did in Detroit," Woods said. "Many, many passing yards every single season. Just got to get these wins and these playoff wins with him. Really, his addition to our offense...adding DeSean Jackson. Our offense is looking loaded once again." Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: The Rams offense has the weapons to do damage. Woods and Cooper Kupp represent do-it-all wideouts who can win both before and after the catch. Second-year receiver Van Jefferson should see more reps in 2021. Tight end Tyler Higbee offers upside with an expanded role. And running back Cam Akers proved he could shoulder the load. Don't discount Jackson's addition and what the speedy veteran can bring to the offense if he stays healthy. Part of the Rams struggles last season came in part due to the lack of a field-stretching option. L.A. had traded Brandin Cooks last offseason and never unearthed a viable replacement. Jackson can be that dangerous deep threat that opens up everything underneath in McVay's offense. Woods spoke glowingly of his new teammate and what Jackson brings to the Rams. "I think that's what we're most excited for him to bring to our offense is his speed," Woods said. "His downfield ability just opening things up. And what we have in our offense with our screen games, getting the ball in his hands quick, it's really dangerous for our offense to have so many weapons to go along with me and Cooper." On paper, the Rams offense looks explosive.

The Facts: The Broncos have gotten trade inquiries about Hamilton, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports. Garafolo adds: "I believe that they would move him for the right place. This is a name that I'll be watching as we get closer to the draft." Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: The Broncos have depth at the position with Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and Diontae Spencer among their options. The Broncos drafted Hamilton in the fourth round in 2018, and he has played 46 of a possible 48 games. Hamilton, 26, has seen action on 44 percent, 64 percent and 50 percent of the team's offensive snaps the past three seasons. He has 81 catches for 833 yards and five touchdowns in his career, including 23 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns last season.

The Facts: The expected is now reality in Atlanta, the new home of Patterson. Football's best return man is officially a Falcon, signing a one-year deal with Atlanta, the team announced Thursday. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the contract is worth $3 million, per a source informed of the situation. Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: Patterson's signing followed a Wednesday visit with the team, which evidently convinced him to move to Georgia following two seasons spent in Chicago. Atlanta will be Patterson's fifth NFL home in nine seasons, bringing with him a premier pedigree in the return game built upon eight career kick-return touchdowns and coming off two straight Pro Bowl appearances. The four-time, first-team All-Pro return man isn't just a returning ace, of course. Patterson has plenty of experience as a receiver, running back and as the focus of gadget-style plays, too, bringing an element of unpredictability to the Falcons' offense whenever new coach Arthur Smith sees fit. If nothing else, Patterson will be a threat to opponents when it comes time to kick off. He's already an instant upgrade: Atlanta hasn't had a kick returning finish with more than 700 yards since Andre Roberts in 2017. Patterson has led the league in kick-return yards in each of his last two seasons, racking up 1,842 and two TDs. He's also scored a kick-return TD in each of his last three seasons.

The Facts: The Falcons have released Smith. Reported by AtlantaFalcons.com

Diehards Line: Smith was originally selected by the Falcons in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Southern Mississippi. In three seasons in Atlanta, Smith recorded 175 carries for 689 yards and 55 receptions for 314 yards, and six total touchdowns. The Mobile, Ala., native rushed for 268 yards on 63 carries (4.3 avg.) and one touchdown and registered 17 receptions for 75 yards (4.4 avg.) in 14 games last season. The team added Mike Davis, who played for Carolina last season, as their lead back last month. We'll see if the NFL Draft changes that.

The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... The total number of lawsuits against Watson has returned to 22. With one plaintiff dropping her case without prejudice, reducing the number of plaintiffs to 21, another woman has sued the Texans quarterback for alleged misconduct during a massage. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: The latest plaintiff, a Houston makeup artist, accuses Watson of sexual assault and harassment during massage sessions at his home in September 2020 and November 2020. She claims, per the Houston Chronicle, that Watson repeatedly asked her to touch his penis during the massage. "Plaintiff was mentally beat, the pressure from Watson's relentless instruction coercing her against her will left her powerless," the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit also claims, among other things, that Watson tried to kiss the plaintiff and groped her. Via Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com, the latest plaintiff also is represented by Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee. Last week, Buzbee said that he agreed to represent 22 plaintiffs and that he declined to represent five others.

The Facts: Dobbs' agent Mike McCartney announced that his client has agreed to a one-year deal with the teams. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Dobbs was a 2017 fourth-round pick in Pittsburgh and spent two years with the team before being traded to the Jaguars in September 2019. He spent the year in Jacksonville and returned to the Steelers after he was waived last September. Dobbs appeared in one game last season and completed 4-of-5 passes for two yards. He was 6-of-12 for 43 yards and an interception in five 2018 appearances. With Dobbs back, the Steelers now have four quarterbacks on their roster. Ben Roethlisberger, Dwayne Haskins, and Mason Rudolph are also on hand.

The Facts: The Falcons are hosting veteran receiver/returner Patterson for a visit, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, per sources. Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: Garafolo added that the expectation is the two sides will have a deal soon. Patterson spent the last two seasons with the Bears and appeared in every game the team played over that span. He caught 32 passes for 215 yards and ran 81 times for 335 yards and a touchdown while on offense. Patterson also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns while averaging over 29 yards per return. Those two scores give Patterson eight career kickoff return touchdowns. Those eight touchdowns leave Patterson tied with Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington for the most in an NFL career.

The Facts: The Cleveland Browns have finally landed their guy. After passing his physical, Clowney is signing a one-year deal with the club worth up to $10 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday. Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: As Profootballtalk.com notes, Clowney will join a defensive line anchored by defensive end 2017 No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett, who has recorded at least 10.0 sacks in each of the last three seasons. Also a former No. 1 overall pick, Clowney spent the 2020 season with the Titans where he started eight games before a knee injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. Clowney recorded four tackles for loss, six QB hits, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble for Tennessee. In 83 career games for the Texans, Seahawks, and Titans, Clowney has 32.0 sacks, 75 tackles for loss, and 86 QB hits. He recorded a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2017 with Houston, earning one of his three Pro Bowl appearances. Clowney is the latest offseason addition to Cleveland's defense, which already brought in safety John Johnson, defensive end Takk McKinley, cornerback Troy Hill, and linebacker Anthony Walker.