NFL Player News

Shipley carried the ball seven times for 23 yards and caught his only target for a seven-yard touchdown in Friday's 16-13 preseason win over the Ravens. He also led the Eagles with 48 return yards on two kickoffs.

A fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Shipley was the second Eagles running back to see the field Friday after Kenneth Gainwell, and the rookie made an impact when he scored the only TD of the first half on a quick toss in the red zone from Kenny Pickett. Gainwell and Shipley are competing for the top backup job behind Saquon Barkley, a role that could have some surprising fantasy value if the former Giant star's injury woes re-surface. Gainwell's experience in Nick Sirianni's system gives him the edge on the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but Shipley certainly didn't hurt his chances to win it with his performance Friday.

Gainwell carried the ball four times for 23 yards in Friday's 16-13 preseason win over the Ravens.

Reporting earlier in the day suggested that Saquon Barkley and the Eagles' first-team offense would get a series at the beginning of the game, but instead Gainwell got the start in the backfield and played the first handful of snaps before giving way to Will Shipley on Philadelphia's second possession. Gainwell's experience in Nick Sirianni's system has him penciled into the No. 2 spot on the running back depth chart behind Barkley, but the team used a fourth-round pick in this year's draft on Shipley, and the rookie found the end zone Friday as he builds a case to take over the top backup job.

Barkley didn't end up playing in Friday's preseason win over the Ravens.

Reporting earlier in the day suggested that the Eagles would give their offensive starters, including Barkley, one series in the team's preseason opener, but that proved not to be the case. Instead, Kenneth Gainwell got the start in the backfield, while Kendall Milton wound up leading the team in carries and rushing yards and Lew Nichols scored Philly's only rushing touchdown in the third quarter. Barkley could instead see some preseason action Thursday against the Patriots.

Warren rushed three times for 11 yards and wasn't targeted in Friday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Texans.

Warren and Najee Harris, who had 25 yards on four touches, both saw time with the first-team offense in the first quarter. The two running backs were in a timeshare last season and will likely continue to split playing time under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The Steelers' Aug. 17 preseason game against the Bills offers another opportunity for Warren and Harris to familiarize themselves with Smith's scheme.

Pierce rushed four times for four yards and wasn't targeted in Friday's 20-12 preseason win over the Steelers.

Pierce made his preseason debut Friday after sitting out the Hall of Fame Game last week. Offseason acquisition Joe Mixon continues to work his way back from a quadriceps injury, so Pierce shared the field with C.J. Stroud and the rest of Houston's starters on the first two drives Friday. If Mixon's unable to suit up for the Texans' third preseason game against the Giants on Aug. 17, Pierce would likely draw another start.

Harris rushed three times for nine yards and caught his only target for 16 yards in Friday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Texans.

Harris and Jaylen Warren (three carries for 11 yards) both mixed in with the first-team offense, which played the entire first quarter and featured Justin Fields under center due to fellow offseason acquisition Russell Wilson sitting out. Harris and Warren will likely split playing time once again this season, though it was encouraging that Harris got the lone catch between the two Friday after Warren finished with 61 receptions compared to 29 for Harris during the 2023 regular season. Pittsburgh's next preseason game will be Saturday, Aug. 17 against the Bills.

Barkley is in uniform ahead of Friday's preseason game at Baltimore, Bob Brookover of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

With quarterback Jalen Hurts expected to log a possession in the Eagles' exhibition opener, it comes as no surprise that the team's biggest offseason addition within the skill positions also will be available. Once Barkley and the rest of the starters hit the sideline Friday, Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley, Lew Nichols, Tyrion Davis-Price and Kendall Milton will handle backfield duties for Philadelphia.

Robinson is among the key Falcons skill players not in line to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Dolphins, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

Along with Robinson, the same applies to fellow RB Tyler Allgeier, QB Kirk Cousins, WRs Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud, as well as TE Kyle Pitts. While it doesn't look like Cousins will see preseason action, Robinson could potentially log some snaps in Atlanta's second exhibition contest, Aug. 17 against the Ravens. Jase McClellan, Avery Williams and Carlos Washington are available to handle the team's backfield duties versus Miami.

Patterson (hamstring) was activated by the Steelers on Friday as he passed his physical, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Patterson was placed on the reserve/non-football back in late July, but the passing of a physical was enough for him to now get activated. The veteran running back and return specialist will likely see the bulk of his opportunities this season as the Steelers' kick returner, as he sits behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren in the backfield depth chart.

Mixon (quad) is not in line to play in Friday's preseason game against the Steelers, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

On the plus side, the report notes that Mixon is close to a return to action, but the Texans have no reason to rush the running back into exhibition play, with two more preseason contests on tap after Friday. In the meantime, reserves like Dare Ogunbowale, Jawhar Jordan, Cam Akers, J.J. Taylor and British Brooks should continue to receive opportunities to state their cases for slotting behind Mixon and Dameon Pierce.