NFL Player News

Stevenson rushed five times for 22 yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game during the Patriots' 23-6 preseason loss to the Raiders on Friday night.

While head coach Bill Belichick has complimented Stevenson's progress as a receiver this summer, the second-year back was utilized exclusively on the ground in the exhibition finale and was reasonably productive with his limited opportunity. Stevenson was the first running back in the game for the Patriots with Damien Harris (undisclosed) unavailable, essentially mirroring the co-lead-back role he's expected to hold in conjunction with the latter beginning with a Week 1 road AFC East showdown against the Dolphins on Sept. 11.

Jones rushed eight times for 23 yards and caught both targets for 12 yards in Friday's 27-10 preseason win over the Chargers.

Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram were the only running backs to feature on the Saints' first drive, but Jones got some touches with Ingram still in the game after that, providing a possible showcase of New Orleans' backfield distribution in the event Kamara misses time in the regular season due to suspension or injury. Jones appeared to hurt his leg late in the first half, per Katheirne Terrell of ESPN, but he continued to play in the second half. Jones should be available for the Sept. 11 regular season opener in Atlanta, assuming he makes the team.

Kelley rushed six times for 40 yards and caught his only target for one yard in Friday's 27-10 preseason loss to the Saints.

Kelley and Larry Rountree split the early reps at running back. The former looked more explosive, but the latter found the end zone despite mustering just 12 rushing yards on six attempts. Both Kelley and Rountree figure to mix in behind Austin Ekeler early in the season while rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller works his way back from an ankle injury, but Spiller could wind up being the No. 2 running back later in the season unless one of Kelley or Rountree shows substantial improvement compared to previous years.

Rountree started Friday's 27-10 preseason loss to the Saints and rushed six times for 12 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for 12 yards.

Rountree was the first Chargers running back to touch the ball with Austin Ekeler sitting out, but he didn't do much with the opportunity outside of a one-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Joshua Kelley also mixed in early and totaled 41 scrimmage yards on seven touches, but neither running back seemed to create much separation in the battle for the No. 2 running back spot behind Austin Ekeler. That job could eventually go to rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller (ankle), but Spiller may not be ready to suit up for the Sept. 11 season opener against Vegas, leaving both Rountree and Kelley with the opportunity to seize a consistent role in a high-powered offense.

Kamara rushed twice for 19 yards and caught his only target for five yards in Friday's 27-10 preseason win over the Chargers.

Kamara got limited action in his first appearance of the preseason but looked spry as usual. The main drawback surrounding the 27-year-old running back's 2022 campaign is the looming possibility of a suspension due to an offseason incident in Las Vegas, but with the verdict on that subject looking increasingly likely to be put off until after the season, Kamara could turn into a fantasy draft day steal given his role as the focal point of the Saints offense both on the ground and through the air.

Harris (undisclosed) didn't suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Raiders, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Per Lazar, Harris "tweaked something during positional drills" at Wednesday's practice, so it's not a surprise that the running back is being held out of the contest. The 2019 third-rounder will now turn his focus to preparing for Week 1 action versus the Dolphins. Assuming he's available at that time, Harris is in line to share early-down work this coming season with Rhamondre Stevenson.

Kamara appears set to play in Friday's preseason game against the Chargers, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The vast majority of the Saints' top skill-position players are suited up ahead of Friday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff, including Jameis Winston, Kamara, Mark Ingram and Jarvis Landry. Assuming Kamara gets some run in the team's exhibition finale, it likely won't be more than a series or two before he hands off the backfield to the likes of Tony Jones and Abram Smith.

McCaffrey is not in line to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Bills, Darin Gantt of the Panthers official site reports.

The same applies to wide receivers Robbie Anderson (quad), Andre Roberts and Brandon Zylstra, along with tight ends Ian Thomas and Colin Thompson, as well as running back Spencer Brown. As the report notes, McCaffrey hasn't played in the preseason in years, with the Panthers erring on the side of caution here with their franchise back, whose next game action will occur in Week 1 against the Browns.

Cook and other starters aren't expected to play in Saturday's preseason game at Denver, with coach Kevin O'Connell prioritizing health ahead of Week 1 against Green Bay, Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune reports.

Cook has five career preseason touches and won't add to the total this year, held out for a third straight game along with QB Kirk Cousins, WR Justin Jefferson and others. O'Connell may favor the passing game more than Minnesota's old coaching staff did, but his offense could still be beneficial for Cook's fantasy value if it leads to more targets, more goal-line chances or increased play volume for the team overall. Cook will start the regular season facing a Green Bay defense that held him to 99 yards on 31 carries (3.2 YPC) last year.

Pierce likely will be the Texans' top running back in their season opener against the Colts on Sept. 11, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Houston Chronicle reports.

Pierce was rested for Houston's second preseason game after running for 49 yards off the bench in the opener, and he then capped things off by starting the final exhibition and taking six carries for 37 yards and a touchdown in a win over the 49ers. Marlon Mack had a decent preseason with 21 carries for 90 yards, but he mostly got work in the second half of the finale, long after Pierce had been pulled. The fourth-round rookie should be Houston's lead runner to start the season, with Rex Burkhead the preferred back for clear passing situations.