NFL Player News

Edwards rushed four times for 21 yards and brought in his only target for seven yards in the Ravens' 20-19 preseason win over the Eagles on Saturday night.

Edwards was the second Ravens running back to log a touch Saturday behind Justice Hill, and he put together an efficient showing overall with his limited opportunity. Edwards will be playing out the final year of his contract in 2023 and is reportedly all the way back from his September 2021 ACL tear, and he likely has the inside track to the No. 2 running back job behind J.K. Dobbins (PUP-undisclosed) once the regular season begins.

Gordon rushed six times for 16 yards and brought in his only target for nine yards in the Ravens' 20-19 preseason win over the Eagles on Saturday night.

Gordon didn't see playing time until the second half, logging touches on Baltimore's first two possessions following intermission. The veteran, who's battling for a backup running back spot, gained half his rushing yardage on one carry, so he mostly struggled behind a makeshift offensive line. It's difficult to ascertain what Gordon may have left in the tank after he tied a career low with 3.5 yards per carry last season in Denver, but if his usage Saturday is any indication, the Ravens appear intent on giving him a relatively robust evaluation this preseason.

Mitchell rushed six times for 11 yards, brought in one of two targets of nine yards and returned three kickoffs for 73 yards in the Ravens' 20-19 preseason win over the Eagles on Saturday night.

Mitchell was limited to filling a returner role in the first half, but he was then afforded some opportunity from scrimmage over the first two Ravens possessions after halftime. While he found running room at a premium, Mitchell made good use of his one reception and also was solid on his three kickoff returns. The undrafted East Carolina product and two-time 1,000-yard rusher, who's striving to unseat either Justice Hill or Melvin Gordon and earn a No. 4 running back role, is likely to see another solid allotment of touches in Baltimore's second preseason game against the Commanders on Monday night, Aug. 21.

Penny rushed nine times for 34 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Eagles' 20-19 preseason loss to the Ravens on Saturday night.

Penny paced the Eagles in carries and received seven more rushing touches than fellow offseason arrival D'Andre Swift while playing on Philadelphia's first four possessions. Penny appears fully recovered from the fractured fibula he suffered in Week 5 of last season with the Seahawks, but come the regular season, it's likely the disparity in carries between him and Swift is not as expansive. Given his ongoing acclimation to a new offensive system, Penny is likely to once again log a solid workload by preseason standards in Thursday night's home exhibition battle versus the Browns.

Swift rushed twice for 24 yards in the Eagles' 20-19 preseason loss to the Ravens on Saturday night.

Making his in-game debut with his new team, Swift ripped off a team-long 22-yard run on his second and final carry of his brief night. Swift got the first running back touch of the night for Philadelphia ahead of fellow offseason acquisition Rashaad Penny, although the latter ultimately saw action on the first four possessions. Swift was uncharacteristically left out of the passing game, yet his limited time in the game helps explain that outlier. Given he's still acclimating to a new offense, Swift could well see action again in Philadephia's second preseason game Thursday night against the Browns.

Ekeler isn't in line to play in Saturday's preseason game versus the Rams, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler is among a number of starters not suiting up for the Chargers' exhibition opener. With the team's top running back sidelined, all of Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Larry Rountree, Elijah Dotson and Tyler Hoosman can be expected to get some work out of the backfield. Ekeler's next opportunity for preseason action arrives Sunday, Aug. 20 against the Saints.

Cook started the Bills' preseason opener against the Colts on Saturday, rushing for 20 yards and a touchdown on four carries before exiting with the rest of the first team.

Cook got to work quickly after the Bills' defense gifted the offense with excellent field position by picking off rookie QB Anthony Richardson in Colts' territory. The 23-year-old handled all three rushing attempts on the ensuing drive, with the third being punched in for an eight-yard score. Cook was not targeted as a passer, but he may be forced to show us that part of his game following the announcement that Bills receiving back Nyheim Hines (knee) will miss the entire 2023 season. The other veteran back the front office brought in to compete with Cook, Damien Harris (knee), did not play Saturday and the team has yet to update the status of his knee injury. What once looked like a crowded backfield has suddenly opened up for Cook, which boosts his fantasy value as leagues are gearing to kick off.

Hubbard rushed four times for nine yards and caught his only target for three yards in Saturday's 27-0 preseason loss to the Jets.

Hubbard worked with the first-team offense in the absence of Miles Sanders (groin). None of the team's starters looked particularly impressive in this one, but Hubbard's usage here suggests he's viewed as the primary backup to Sanders. The Panthers are likely to take a cautious approach with Sanders' injury prior to the regular season, so Hubbard's may draw another start in Carolina's second preseason game against the Giants.

Abanikanda rushed 12 times for 56 yards and caught all three of his targets for 31 yards in Saturday's 27-0 preseason win over the Panthers.

Abanikanda came in on the Jets' third possession after Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight split the first two. Abanikanda, a rookie fifth-round pick, is gaining on Knight for the third-string spot, as Abanikanda has impressed in each of the Jets' first two preseason games; he scored a 10-yard touchdown in the Hall of Fame Game the previous week. Abanikanda will have two more preseason games to make his case for surpassing Knight, starting with an Aug. 19 home game against the Buccaneers.

Knight rushed four times for 13 yards and caught one of two targets for three yards in Saturday's 27-0 preseason win over the Panthers.

Knight was almost charged with a fumble at the end of a three-yard catch on New York's opening drive, but he was ruled down on replay. He and Michael Carter both mixed in on New York's first two drives, but Carter was far more effective, with 53 scrimmage yards on six touches. Rookie fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda played the majority of the game after that point and impressed with 87 yards between 12 carries and three catches. The Jets may keep only one of Knight or Abanikanda on the 53-man roster behind Breece Hall (knee) and Carter, though all four running backs could make the team if Hall's recovery from ACL surgery threatens to impact his regular-season availability.