What happened: Wes Phillips discussed Demond Claiborne with the 2026 regular season underway. Claiborne flashed during preseason work in August.

Why it matters: Backfield depth shapes early-season rotation and special-teams assignments. Young backs who contribute in September often stabilize roles before midseason.

What to watch: Watch upcoming practices and game-day inactives for where Claiborne slots in the rotation.