NFL Player News

White started Sunday's preseason game against the Vikings -- with Josh Jacobs being a healthy scratch -- rushing five times for 13 yards and catching two of three targets for four yards.

White wasn't able to replicate his strong showing from the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 4 (75 total yards), but his status as the starter bodes well for his prospects of moving up the depth chart as a rookie. With Jacobs looking healthy for the start of the regular season, White's best-case scenario might end up being a change-of-pace/third-down role where he gets to flash his big-play ability with a handful of touches each week. For fantasy purposes, there might not be enough volume for the fourth-round pick to be a viable option early on, but he's a name to monitor, should he carve out a larger role. A clearer picture of the backfield depth chart may emerge during the Raiders' third preseason game at Miami on Saturday.

Drake rushed four times for 15 yards and caught both of his targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 26-20 preseason win over the Vikings.

Starter Josh Jacobs (rest) and veteran backup Ameer Abdullah (rest) were both held out of this contest after getting heavy work in the Hall of Fame Game last week, so rookie Zamir White started and split work with Drake. The latter looked sharp with his six touches in head coach Josh McDaniels' new offense. Drake will duke it out with the aforementioned running back options this preseason to determine the pecking order behind Jacobs. So far, it doesn't look great for the 29-year-old.

Mattison started Sunday's preseason game against the Raiders in place of Dalvin Cook (rest), finishing with three carries for eight yards and no targets in the passing game.

Cook was just being rested for the preseason game, so fantasy managers don't need to read too much into Mattison starting this contest. The fourth-year back has proven to be a reliable fantasy asset when asked to fill in for the oft-injured Cook in the past, but Mattison's role nearly vanishes when the Vikings' star is at full strength.

Penny, who is dealing with a minor groin injury, didn't play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Steelers, Gregg Bell of the Seattle News-Tribune reports.

With Penny sitting this one out, 2022 second-rounder Kenneth Walker drew the start at running back for Seattle, while Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas and Darwin Thompson also logged carries. For now, consider Penny day-to-day ahead of Thursday night's contest against the Bears.

Williams' (foot) status for Friday's preseason game against the Texans has yet to be determined.

The Rams activated Williams from the PUP list last Monday, but he didn't appear in the preseason opener. Initially, Los Angeles didn't expect the running back to return to full practices until Week 3 of the preseason, so it's possible they'll opt to keep him sidelined from game action until then. Regardless, it doesn't appear like he suffered a setback, so there shouldn't be too much concern if he misses another exhibition contest.

Foreman rushed three times for five yards in Saturday's 23-21 preseason win over the Commanders.

Foreman entered the game behind Chuba Hubbard, who started at running back with Christian McCaffrey sitting out. Although Hubbard only carried four times for 11 yards, his competition with Foreman to serve as McCaffrey's primary backup should be worth monitoring during the preseason.

Hubbard rushed four times for 11 yards in Saturday's 23-21 preseason win over the Commanders.

Hubbard started the contest with Christian McCaffrey sitting out. Although he didn't play for long, it's notable Hubbard worked ahead of D'Onta Foreman, whose signing this offseason gives Hubbard fresh competition to back up McCaffrey. With Foreman finishing Saturday with three carries for five yards, Carolina's second-string running back competition should remain worth tracking over the exhibition slate.

Taylor, who didn't play in Saturday's preseason loss to the Bills, is unlikely to see game action in the Colts' remaining two exhibition contests according to coach Frank Reich, JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.

"That's really what Chris (Ballard) and I talked about," Reich noted of the likelihood that the Colts would play it safe in the preseason with their franchise back. "I can't see that changing for any reason. So, he's looked good, he's in shape, I feel like we're getting good work in practice versus our defense." With Taylor entrenched as Indy's lead back and Nyheim Hines in line to serve as the squad's primary change-of-pace option, depth slotting behind them is up for grabs, leaving Phillip Lindsay, Ty'Son Williams, Deon Jackson, D'Vonte Price and CJ Verdell currently competing for roster spots ahead of Week 1.

Cook is not in line to play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Raiders.

Cook, along with the majority of the Vikings' top offensive players, will be held out of Sunday's exhibition game. Expect Alexander Mattison and Kene Nwangwu to handle the majority of the running back duties during the first half, while Ty Chandler and Bryant Koback may get some work after halftime.

Carter rushed three times for five yards and caught his only target for seven yards in Friday's 24-21 preseason win over the Eagles.

Carter was used sparingly, as was rookie second-round pick Breece Hall, who mustered 15 yards on five carries. The two young running backs are expected to operate in a timeshare led by Hall once the games start to count.