NFL Player News

Breida got the start in Friday's 21-16 preseason loss to the Lions and proceeded to rush once for one yard while failing to catch his only target.

Breida's stat line was nothing to write home about, but it's encouraging that he was the first running back called upon with Saquon Barkley sitting out the preseason opener. Next into the game after Breida were veteran James Robinson and rookie fifth-round draft pick Eric Gray. After serving as Barkley's primary backup last season, Breida's the frontrunner to reclaim that role in 2023.

Gray rushed five times for nine yards and caught two of three targets for 10 yards in Friday's 21-16 preseason loss to the Lions. He also returned three kickoffs for 62 yards and two punts for eight yards.

Gray didn't see the field until after veterans Matt Breida and James Robinson, suggesting he still has ground to make up in the competition to claim the backup spot behind Saquon Barkley. The Giants clearly want to see what the rookie fifth-round pick can do in the return game, and Gray fared fine in that regard Friday. After a modest performance on offense in his NFL debut, Gray will look to put forth better numbers in the team's next preseason game against the Panthers.

Robinson is slated to make his preseason debut next Friday versus the Bengals, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

After Robinson and the rest of the first-team offense didn't suit up for Friday's exhibition opener at Miami, he'll be out there for preseason Week 2. He ripped off 6.3 YPC and hauled in 60 passes in 31 career games at Texas, which will serve him well in one of the NFL's most run-heavy schemes.

Brown rushed eight times for 12 yards and caught all three of his targets for 33 yards in Friday's 36-19 preseason loss to the Packers.

Brown came into the game after Chris Evans, who was far more effective on the ground (seven carries, 49 yards). The rookie fifth-round pick salvaged his debut with a decent performance as a pass catcher, but Brown appears to be trailing Evans in the competition for the No. 2 spot on the running back depth chart behind Joe Mixon. Trayveon Williams (ankle) is also in the mix despite sitting this game out, and all three will have a chance to improve their standing in the team's next preseason game, Aug. 18 at Atlanta.

Evans rushed seven times for 49 yards and didn't catch his only target in Friday's 36-19 preseason loss to the Packers. He also had a 28-yard kickoff return.

Evans got the start with Joe Mixon sitting out and made the most of the opportunity, ripping off a 33-yard run on Cincinnati's third possession. After the offseason departure of Samaje Perine, Evans has a chance to win the backup role behind Mixon. The other running backs in contention for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart are rookie Chase Brown (45 yards on 11 touches Friday) and Trayveon Williams, who missed Friday's game due to an ankle injury. Another strong performance in the team's next preseason game against the Falcons would go a long way in helping Evans lock up the primary backup role.

Gaskin carried the ball seven times for 57 yards and caught both his targets for 20 yards in Friday's preseason loss to the Falcons.

Rookie De'Von Achane was expected to get a chance to flash his elite speed in the exhibition opener, but instead it was Gaskin who got the start in the backfield, and his experience in coach Mike McDaniels' system showed as he led Miami in rushing yards and scrimmage yards. With Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson (undisclosed) at the top of the depth chart, Gaskin could be fighting with Salvon Ahmed for the fourth and final spot at RB, but his solid performance Friday should keep him firmly ahead.

Dillon rushed twice for 14 yards and wasn't targeted in Friday's 36-19 preseason win over the Bengals.

Dillon and Aaron Jones both mixed in with Green Bay's other staters on the team's first two drives. Both running backs are ticketed for prominent roles in 2023, as the Packers are likely to lean on the running game to take the pressure off quarterback Jordan Love, who has only one NFL start under his belt. Dillon has scored seven scrimmage touchdowns in each of the past two seasons.

Achane carried the ball 10 times for 25 yards and caught all four of his targets for 41 yards in Friday's preseason loss to the Falcons. He also gained 38 yards on one kickoff return.

The 2023 third-round pick flashed his elite speed and elusiveness on the opening kickoff, but Achane then had to watch veteran Myles Gaskin handle the lead role in the backfield into the second quarter. When he finally began to mix into the offense, Achane struggled on the ground, with his longest run going for only six yards, but he wound up leading Miami in catches and receiving yards. The Texas A&M product might not see much touch volume behind Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson (undisclosed) when the regular season begins, but he'll be a big-play threat whenever coach Mike McDaniel does find a way to get the ball into his hands.

Igwebuike carried the ball 13 times for a game-high 70 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason win over the Dolphins.

He opened the scoring in the second quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run, and it was the only offensive TD for either team in a sluggish 19-3 contest. Igwebuike has bounced around the NFL since 2018, seeing action in five games last season with the Seahawks. While he's unlikely to find much of a role on offense in a Falcons' backfield that already features first-round pick Bijan Robinson plus holdovers Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson, his special-teams experience could still earn him a roster spot.

Ingram (abdomen) isn't expected to play in Friday's preseason game against the Broncos, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ingram has missed the majority of training camp to date as he tends to an abdominal injury. It's unclear if starter James Conner will join Ingram on the sideline, but if he does, the Cardinals' available running backs for the exhibition opener will be Corey Clement, Ty'Son Williams, Emari Demercado and Stevie Scott.