NFL Player News

Coach Nathaniel Hackett suggested Williams and other key players will be held out for a third straight week when the Broncos face the Vikings on Saturday in their preseason finale, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Nearly everyone, including backfield mate Melvin Gordon, expects Williams to take on a larger share of the workload in his second season. There's also the likelihood of increased offensive output overall for the Broncos with QB Russell Wilson taking over, but Williams still has Gordon lingering as a thorn in the side of fantasy managers, with the veteran likely to get a decent number of touches each week. The talented duo gets a favorable matchup to start the regular season, heading to Seattle as favorites against Wilson's former team Week 1.

Pierce could be Houston's Week 1 starter, or at least a major contributor, though coach Lovie Smith hasn't commented on the matter, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Houston Chronicle reports.

After taking five carries for 49 yards in the preseason opener, Pierce was rested in the second exhibition matchup, with Smith saying he'd already seen what he needed to see from the rookie running back. It's unclear if Pierce will play in the team's final preseason game Thursday against San Francisco, but the Texans are expected to play most starters for a third straight week, including QB Davis Mills. With Pierce held out of the second preseason game, Marlon Mack got most of the early down work and Rex Burkhead handled most passing situations. Neither player impressed, and Burkhead lost a fumble.

Chestnut carried the ball 10 times for 35 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Tampa Bay. He added two receptions for 10 yards.

Chestnut was the third Tennessee back to earn a touch, behind both Dontrell Hilliard and Hassan Haskins. He had a few significant runs late in the game that helped pad his yardage total, and he also made a tackle on special teams. The latter is his likeliest path to a roster spot, as he appears to be buried on the depth chart behind Derrick Henry and both Hilliard and Haskins.

Williams took four carries for 12 yards and one catch for nine yards in Saturday's preseason loss to Kansas City.

Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson handled the first half, while J.D. McKissic (groin) was unavailable. After that, Williams worked ahead of Jaret Patterson, who took two carries for one yard and a touchdown. Williams also played ahead of Patterson the previous week, but it isn't clear the Commanders will keep a fourth back behind Robinson, Gibson and McKissic.

Badie rushed 12 times for 34 yards and caught two of three targets for five yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-17 win over Arizona.

Badie finished the game with the most carries for the Ravens' banged-up backfield, but all of those attempts came in the second half, and the rookie didn't do a whole lot with the volume presented. Badie will continue battling for a roster spot in the preseason finale against the Commanders on Saturday.

Ingram rushed four times for nine yards and caught two of three targets for 20 yards in Sunday's preseason loss to the Ravens.

Ingram wasn't able to replicate last week's trip to the end zone, but he did put his soft hands to work with two more catches to add to his preseason total. The sixth-round pick won't have much fantasy value as long as James Conner remains healthy, so a spot on the Cardinals' practice squad could be a more realistic goal for Ingram with Darrel Williams and Eno Benjamin also on the roster.

Benjamin rushed four times for 12 yards and did not haul in his lone target in Sunday's 24-17 preseason loss to the Ravens.

Benjamin was the first Cardinals back to receive a carry Sunday, which bodes well for his prospects to win the backup job battle behind James Conner. Darrel Williams (one rush for three yards) didn't get much work, either, so next week's preseason tilt against the Titans should help the coaching staff make a final decision before Week 1. Neither player will hold much fantasy value heading into the regular season so long as Conner remains healthy as the opener draws closer.

Williams received one carry for three yards in Sunday's 24-17 preseason loss to the Ravens.

It was Williams' first work in an Arizona uniform after signing with the club this past offseason. The veteran back received his lone touch in the first half (starter James Conner rested), indicating that the 27-year-old is competing with Eno Benjamin for the primary backup role behind the Cardinals' workhorse to begin the regular season.

Snell rushed three times for minus-two yards while securing two of three targets for 15 yards and a touchdown during the Steelers' 16-15 preseason win over the Jaguars on Saturday.

Snell drew the start during Saturday's preseason matchup, and he caught an 11-yard touchdown pass late in the first half. The 2019 fourth-rounder split time in the backfield with Jaylen Warren during the first half. Warren recorded 27 yards from scrimmage on six touches, but Snell was one of two Steelers to reach the end zone during the narrow win. Snell and Warren will likely continue to compete to serve as Pittsburgh's No. 2 running back ahead of the regular season.

Warren rushed three times for three yards while securing all three of his targets for 24 yards during the Steelers' 16-15 preseason win over Jacksonville on Saturday.

Benny Snell was in the Steelers' backfield for the first two drives of Saturday's matchup, but Warren was the second running back to take the field. The two backs split playing time during the first half, but Warren led the team's running backs in touches and was productive in the passing game in spite of his inefficiency on the ground. Warren has 16 touches through two preseason games and seems to be solidifying his case for a spot on the 53-man roster while making a push to serve as Pittsburgh's No. 2 running back.