NFL Player News

Warren rushed three times for 13 yards on Pittsburgh's opening drive in a 27-17 preseason win over the Buccaneers.

It was interesting to see Warren get his snaps mixed in with the first unit, especially considering expected starter Najee Harris received no carries and one reception for a loss on the same drive. There is little doubt that Harris will be the starting back in Pittsburgh come Week 1, but Warren's inclusion with the first unit shows the growing trust the coaching staff has in its standout UDFA from a year ago.

Harris joined the starters for the opening drive of Friday's exhibition win over Tampa Bay, but he did not record a carry and caught his lone target for minus-1 yard.

While Harris wasn't used as a runner during the starters' brief appearance Friday, he did record the first touch out of Pittsburgh's backfield via a reception. Backup Jaylen Warren spelled Harris on the opening drive and finished with three carries for 13 yards. Harris is still the unquestioned starter in Pittsburgh, but injuries and a lack of improvement on a solid rookie season has likely shortened his leash should he get off to a slow start in 2023. Expect the Steelers to get their lead back involved offensively at some point this preseason, with that next opportunity coming on Aug. 19 against the Bills.

Gibbs rushed six times for 19 yards and caught his only target for 18 yards in Friday's 21-16 preseason win over the Giants.

Gibbs was viewed as a reach when the Lions picked him 12th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, but at least Detroit should give the rookie out of Alabama plenty of touches to justify the selection. He figures to be a direct replacement for D'Andre Swift, whom the Lions traded away after drafting Gibbs. The shifty running back showed off his pass-catching skills on an 18-yard reception to move the chains on Detroit's third possession, but Gibbs will need to be more efficient on the ground moving forward to compete with David Montgomery for early-down work.

Robinson rushed six times for nine yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game in Friday's 21-16 preseason loss to the Lions.

With starter Saquon Barkley resting, Robinson was the second running back into the game after Matt Breida. Robinson's inability to find any running room in this one won't quell concerns that his ability has been permanently diminished by the Achilles tear he suffered late in the 2021 season. He averaged just 2.9 yards per carry after being traded from the Jaguars to the Jets last season and was waived by New England three months after signing with the Patriots in the offseason. Robinson's fighting an uphill battle to earn a roster spot with the Giants.

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.