NFL Player News

Washington rushed four times for 16 yards while catching two of two targets for 39 yards during Monday's preseason victory over the Jaguars.

After seeing no touches on six offensive snaps in the preseason opener, Washington was more involved offensively and he didn't get bottled up as frequently as Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman did. However, with Alvin Kamara and Tony Jones also above Washington on the depth chart, his case for a roster spot will likely come down to special teams. While he didn't return any kickoffs Monday, Washington returned two in the opener and through two preseason games his 24.0-yard average tops the team.

Jones has made a strong impression through two preseason games, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Jeff Duncan of The Athletic goes a step further and calls Jones the second-best running back on the Saints' roster -- a comment that's primarily meant as praise but also adds to the growing doubts surrounding Latavius Murray. While Murray survived a purge of veteran players earlier this offseason, the 31-year-old isn't necessarily safe as he sports a non-guaranteed $2.95 million base salary while Jones and Devonta Freeman are signed for much less. Jones and Murray are the names to watch behind Alvin Kamara in the New Orleans backfield, with Freeman a long shot to make the Week 1 roster and Dwayne Washington mostly a special teams player. Jones should see action in the preseason finale, after taking 12 carries for 106 yards and a TD through the first two games.

Etienne (foot) is scheduled for more testing Tuesday after X-Rays on his Lisfranc injury came back negative, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Initially deemed questionable to return after his second-quarter exit, Etienne never made it back to Monday's 23-21 preseason loss to New Orleans, instead donning a walking boot and crutches after the game. His injury has since been identified as a Lisfranc/midfoot sprain, with the Jaguars now trying to figure out how much time he'll miss. Any absence in the regular season would leave more touches for James Robinson, particularly targets, while Carlos Hyde could add some more carries to his plate.

Etienne has been diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain in the aftermath of Monday's preseason loss in New Orleans and will be out indefinitely, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Considering the vague prognosis, Etienne's status for Week 1 could be in peril, pending testing once the Jaguars return to Jacksonville. The rookie first-round pick left Monday's game in the second quarter after turning two touches into four yards from scrimmage. Afterward, Etienne was walking with a visible limp and a boot on his left foot. Look for incumbent James Robinson (five carries for 13 yards Monday) and Carlos Hyde (four touches for six total yards) to have elevated stature in the Jags backfield while Etienne is sidelined.

Etienne (foot) was spotted in a walking boot after Monday's preseason loss at New Orleans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Etienne exited the exhibition in the second quarter and was evaluated by the Jaguars' medical staff, who deemed him questionable to return. But the rookie first-rounder was unable to do so, and he'll now undergo additional testing on his left foot once the team gets back to Jacksonville. During a postgame interview, coach Urban Meyer said Etienne may have a sprained foot, per NFL.com. Having said that, the upcoming examination of Etienne's foot will determine the nature of the injury and its accompanying prognosis.

Murray rushed four times for six yards and caught both his targets for four yards in Monday night's 23-21 preseason win over the Jaguars.

Murray saw Tony Jones get touches before him and finish with a superior line of five carries for 24 yards, adding further fuel to his quest to surpass Murray and serve as Alvin Kamara's backup. While that determination is yet to be made, it's also worth noting Murray saw action before Devonta Freeman entered in the second half. The fellow veteran managed just 18 yards on his seven totes, so it'll be interesting to see how New Orleans' backfield situation shakes out as the team now enters the final week of the preseason.

Robinson rushed five times for 13 yards in Monday night's 23-21 preseason loss to the Saints.

Robinson once again started at tailback, and although he wasn't particularly productive, neither were Carlos Hyde or Travis Etienne. In fact, Etienne was forced out with a foot injury, raising some uncertainty over his status at the moment. As things stand, Robinson appears to be in a decent position to be named Jacksonville's starter, but the Jags' backfield situation could be one to monitor until the pecking order is established.

Mattison did not practice Monday due to an undisclosed injury, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

Mattison played just two plays in Saturday's preseason game, but no injury was reported after the game. With Kene Nwangwu (knee) and Mattison hurt, the Vikings signed Ito Smith on Monday to help with depth.

Etienne is questionable to return to Monday's preseason game at New Orleans due to a foot injury.

During the second quarter, Etienne was looked at by the Jaguars' training staff in the sideline tent, but afterward the rookie first-round pick was able to walk on the leg in question, per Hays Carlyon of 1010 AM WJXL Jacksonville. With the contest closing in on halftime at the time of the injury announcement, Etienne likely will remain on the sideline until the clock hits zero. If so, he'll end preseason Week 2 with one carry for one yard and one catch (on one target) for three yards.

Jones is still slated to share primary ballcarrier duties with Leonard Fournette to open the season and is likely to yield most third downs to offseason acquisition Giovani Bernard, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

If a true timeshare arrangement consistently holds true in the Buccaneers backfield, the fantasy value of both Fournette and Jones naturally will be capped to an extent. However, head coach Bruce Arians previously has touted both and carried out a hot-hand approach to the ground attack, so it isn't out of the realm of possibility that each player will have his share of 15-to-25 carry days this coming season, for example. What does seem like more of a certainty for Jones is the likelihood he's often off the field on third-down passing scenarios, considering his blocking has never been a strong suit and Bernard is a more accomplished receiver out of the backfield.