NFL Player News

Warren took two carries for 14 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's preseason game in Atlanta.

Warren got more work than Najee Harris over the first two weeks of the preseason, but Thursday night against Atlanta's second-stringers Harris took five touches for 34 yards and a TD while sharing the first two drives with his backup. Harris scored from one yard out on the opening drive, while Warren struck from eight yards out to close out the next series. Neither played after that, nor did most of Pittsburgh's other key players, with coach Mike Tomlin ready to head into Week 1 against the 49ers after his first-team offense turned in a dominant preseason.

Harris took four carries for 18 yards and a touchdown and caught one pass for 16 yards in Thursday's preseason game at Atlanta.

Harris and Jaylen Warren split snaps on the first-team offense over the first two drives Thursday night, with the latter taking two carries for 14 yards and a TD. Harris helped set up Warren's score with a 16-yard gain on a screen pass, after closing out the opening drive with a one-yard TD plunge. The usage in Thursday's game supports OC Matt Canada's recent statement that Warren's strong preseason hasn't changed anything in terms of Harris being the Steelers' top running back. They both get a challenging matchup Week 1 when the 49ers travel to Pittsburgh.

Broncos OC Joe Lombardi suggested Williams may have a lighter workload at the start of the season before progressing to his full role, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Lombardi didn't use the strongest wording but did acknowledge the possibility of easing Williams into whatever his "full workload" might ultimately be. An appearance in the second week of the preseason -- with seven touches for 30 yards -- has Williams well on his way to starting when the Broncos host the Raiders in Week 1. There's still a strong chance of Samaje Perine getting a bunch of snaps/touches in that game, but Williams is the favorite to lead the team in carries.

With coach Zac Taylor noting Thursday that none of the Bengals' starters will play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Commanders, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, Mixon is presumably not in line to see action in the contest.

With the team's key players in line to sit out the contest, Mixon's next opportunity to see game action will occur Week 1 against the Browns. While Mixon remains the Bengals' clear-cut top back when available, the pecking order behind him has yet to be solidified, with Trayveon Williams still dealing with an ankle injury. Also in the mix for complementary work behind Mixon are Chris Evans, who is a candidate for third-down duty, and 2023 fifth-rounder Chase Brown.

Edmonds (undisclosed) was held out of practice Thursday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Edmonds' injury details are unclear, but it's expected he'll be ready for Week 1 against the Vikings. The veteran is expected to take over the passing down role from the departed Giovani Bernard this season and operate as the team's No. 2 running back behind Rachaad White.

Wilkins is getting extra reps as the Browns deal with an injury to projected backup running back Jerome Ford (hamstring), Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Wilkins had three carries for 18 yards and caught his lone target for eight yards in last week's preseason tie against the Eagles. That was his first game since joining the Browns earlier this month. Ford's injury presents an opportunity for Wilkins, who is competing with Demetric Felton, John Kelly and Hassan Hall to become the third back. Ford is not practicing this week and will not play in Saturday's preseason finale against Kansas City. His status for Week 1 of the regular season remains murky, so two of the competitors could be active when the Browns open the season at home against the Bengals.

Dobbins isn't in line to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Buccaneers, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.

Dobbins, who is entering his contract year, missed the Ravens' mandatory minicamp in June and then didn't participate in the team's first 14 practices of training camp, said Wednesday that he's had "good conversations" with general manager Eric DeCosta about his future. While Dobbins acknowledges that he wasn't 100 percent healthy at the end of the 2022 season, he believes that his speed is different in 2023 compared to last season and feels "amazing" as the coming season approaches. Come Week 1, look for Dobbins to lead Baltimore's backfield, with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill in the mix for complementary touches and either Melvin Gordon or Keaton Mitchell on hand in reserve.

The Colts have given Taylor (ankle) until Tuesday to find a suitable landing spot after having granted the running back permission to pursue a trade, Stephen Holder of ESPN reports.

According to Holder, six teams have reportedly inquired about Taylor's availability, while two are thought to have made trade offers. Whether any team is willing to give the Colts enough in return for the star running back to advance a deal is questionable, and Indianapolis is looking for some level of clarity in advance of Tuesday, when NFL franchises are required to cut their rosters down to 53 players. Moreover, Taylor is on the active/PUP list and must be activated or placed on the reserve/PUP list by Tuesday. If moved to the reserve/PUP list, Taylor would miss the first four games of the regular season.

Mims didn't practice Wednesday after getting hit in the mouth during Tuesday's practice, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

Mims' absence is unlikely to last much longer, as the rookie undrafted free agent out of Fresno State will look to get back in action for Buffalo's preseason finale against the Bears on Saturday. He's unlikely to make the Bills' 53-man roster, and this absence won't help Mims' chances.

Mitchell (shoulder) is practicing Wednesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Mitchell left Monday's preseason game against the Commanders due to a shoulder injury, but coach John Harbaugh said the injury wasn't too serious, and the running back's prompt return confirms that notion. The rookie undrafted free agent from East Carolina has had a strong camp, but he's likely vying for a practice squad spot rather than a spot on the 53-man roster. Nonetheless, Mitchell should have a chance to help his case in Saturday's preseason finale against Tampa Bay.