NFL Player News

Mitchell (hamstring) isn't expected to play in the 49ers' second preseason game Saturday, Aug. 20 at Minnesota, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Coach Kyle Shanahan relayed the news after Friday's exhibition win against the Packers, noting the 49ers then will make a decision regarding Mitchell for preseason Week 3 (Thursday, Aug. 25 in Houston). Shanahan's statement seems to contradict a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN earlier Friday that Mitchell likely would miss the entire preseason. With a new starting quarterback in Trey Lance in San Francisco, the team seems likely to have a dress rehearsal of sorts with most of the first-team offense working together, so perhaps Mitchell, Deebo Samuel and company will see game action before Week 1.

Davis-Price rushed 10 times for 36 yards and failed to bring in his only target during the 49ers' 28-21 preseason win over the Packers on Friday night.

The rookie third-round pick paced the backfield in carries on a night when Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and Jeff Wilson (coach's decision) didn't see action. However, Davis-Price's backfield mates JaMycal Hasty and Jordan Mason averaged 7.2 and 5.0 yards per carry, respectively, shining the light on the LSU product's struggles a bit more. Davis-Price's next opportunity to make a case for a backup role comes in a road matchup against the Vikings a week from Saturday night.

Evans carried the ball eight times for minus-three yards and caught his only target for nine yards in Friday's preseason game against the Cardinals.

Getting the start in the backfield with both Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine held out, Evans had an absolutely awful showing as a lead back. The second-year player out of Michigan averaged 4.5 yards per carry as a rookie while flashing some receiving skills, but performances like this could make it tough for Evans to even hang onto the No. 3 spot on the depth chart ahead of Trayveon Williams.

Ward carried the ball six times for 15 yards and two touchdowns and caught both his targets for 26 yards in Friday's preseason game against the Bengals.

The third-year player out of Central Michigan was the second running back into the game for Arizona after Eno Benjamin, and Ward made the most of his opportunity by scoring a pair of one-yard TDs in the second quarter. His work on special teams could ensure he has a spot on the 53-man roster, but Ward's role on offense will likely be minimal as he seems to be at best No. 5 on the depth chart behind James Conner, Darrel Williams, Benjamin and rookie Keaontay Ingram.

Ingram carried the ball seven times for 27 yards and a touchdown and caught both his targets for 10 yards in Friday's preseason game against the Bengals.

The 2022 sixth-round pick out of USC was the third back into the game for Arizona behind an ineffective Eno Benjamin and special-teams ace Jonathan Ward, but Ingram was able to make an impact, punching in a one-yard TD late in the third quarter. His 3.9 yards per carry also led the trio of Cardinals' depth RBs as veterans James Conner and Darrel Williams got the night off. Benjamin has been drawing praise early in training camp, but if Ingram keeps out-performing him in actual game action, he could steal away the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.

Benjamin carried the ball five times for 14 yards and failed to catch his only target in Friday's preseason game against the Bengals.

Veterans James Conner and Darrel Williams both got the night off, leaving Benjamin to handle the opening series for the Cardinals before he too sat down. The third-year back didn't do much with his opportunity, however, squandering the momentum he'd been building up in practice that marked him as a threat to Williams' hold on the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. In fact, it might now be rookie Keaontay Ingram who's pushing Benjamin for the No. 3 job. Barring an injury to Conner in the regular season, none of the three is likely to make a big fantasy splash, but Benjamin's chances of emerging from the pack may have taken a hit Friday.

Conner rushed seven times for 21 yards and caught both of his targets for 11 yards in Friday's 24-13 preseason loss to the Browns.

Conner also had a 21-yard kickoff return. Travis Etienne got the start in the backfield on Jacksonville's first-team offense, but Conner checked in next once second-string quarterback C.J. Beathard entered the game. James Robinson (Achilles) is expected to platoon with Etienne once Robinson's back to full health, but Conner appears to be the leading candidate for the third running back role, and the rookie's ability to contribute on special teams should help him secure a roster spot.

Hall carried the ball five times for 15 yards in Friday's 24-21 win over the Eagles in preseason action.

Hall split work with Michael Carter during the team's first two offensive possessions and then watched the rest of the contest from the sidelines. It was a fairly nondescript performance from Hall, though he did close his debut with an eight-yard rush. Most importantly, he appears to have left the game fully healthy, which keeps him in line to serve as the Jets' lead back in Week 1 of the regular season.

Etienne rushed nine times for 23 yards and caught one of three targets for 10 yards in Friday's 24-13 preseason loss to the Browns.

Etienne suited up after sitting out Jacksonville's preseason opener, but he was held in check by Cleveland's defense. Fellow running back James Robinson (Achilles) didn't suit up for this one but has been splitting first-team reps with Etienne in practice, so the Jaguars seem likely to employ a backfield timeshare when the games start to count. Jacksonville's next preseason game will be Aug. 20 against the Steelers.

Johnson rushed for no gain on three attempts and lost a fumble in Friday's 24-13 preseason win over the Jaguars.

Johnson got the start with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt sitting out the preseason opener, but the 26-year-old running back failed to capitalize on the opportunity. While Johnson played well when injuries cleared a starting role for him last season, his touches will likely be limited as long as Cleveland's top two backs are present and healthy, and this outing did little to bolster Johnson's case for more touches. He'll look to rebound against the Eagles on Aug. 21 in Cleveland's next preseason game.