NFL Player News

Williams did not suit up for Saturday's preseason loss to the Steelers.

Williams was given the night off alongside Jared Goff, D'Andre Swift (groin) and Tyrell Williams, among others, who are locked into key roles for the Lions this year. While Williams' preseason probably is over, his investors should continue to keep tabs on the status of Swift, who conceivably could be eased into action during the regular season after missing significant time in training camp and the preseason with a groin injury.

Hubbard rushed nine times for 24 yards and caught both his targets for 29 yards in Saturday's 20-3 preseason loss to the Ravens.

Hubbard played nearly half of Carolina's offensive snaps, leading the team's skill-position players in touches. In the process, he again flashed his big-play ability, going for 29 yards on a reception during the first quarter. That, of course, came after Hubbard ripped off a 59-yard run in his preseason debut. It wasn't all pretty for Hubbard on Saturday, though, as he couldn't punch in two handoffs from the one-yard line to begin the game, and then fumbled later on. The Panthers fortunately recovered his miscue, but Hubbard nonetheless will be eager to cement his role as Christian McCaffrey's backup with a strong overall showing in Friday's preseason finale versus the Steelers.

Barkley (knee) is on track to get some reps during joint practices with the Patriots this coming week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Giants held a pair of joint sessions with the Browns in advance of Sunday, but Barkley was kept out of them. As has been previously reported, he's expected to increase his workload during the final week of the preseason, and moving on to on-field work with the Pats would help serve that function. In the end, however, the Giants' entire goal is for Barkley to complete his recovery from a torn ACL in his right knee by Week 1, so coach Joe Judge could tap the brakes at any point if he gets a sense the running back isn't ready.

Pollard rushed for 20 yards on five carries while catching both his targets for 16 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's preseason loss to the Texans.

Getting the start once again as Ezekiel Elliott gets saved for the regular season, Pollard scored the Cowboys' first TD of the game late in the first quarter on an eight-yard screen pass from Cooper Rush. The third-year running back saw 129 touches last season as the No. 2 option in the backfield, but Pollard could see that number increase in 2021 even if Elliott stays healthy, as the coaching staff seems intent on reducing Zeke's workload.

Evans (leg) didn't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers, Steve Layman of newschannel5.com reports.

Nor did top back Derrick Henry, which paved the way for Mekhi Sargent, Brian Hill and Jeremy McNichols to handle the team's rushing duties Saturday. Evans is penciled in as Henry's top backup, but he'll need to bounce back from what appears to be a knee or hamstring issue that has slowed him of late in order to fend off the challenges presented by Sargent, Hill and McNichols.

Wilkins had five carries for 20 yards and two receptions for two yards in Saturday's preseason win over Minnesota.

Wilkins will likely have a reserve role and sits fourth on the running back depth chart, but he's been given larger opportunities at times by the coaching staff. Over his 15 regular-season appearances in 2020, Wilkins logged 84 carries for 308 yards and a touchdown while also securing 12 of 16 targets for 105 yards.

Taylor had eight carries for 48 yards and one reception for seven yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Texans. He also lost a fumble in the contest.

Taylor was efficient when he touched the ball, but the fumble certainly didn't help his chances of securing a roster spot, and the running back directly ahead of him on the depth chart -- Kylin Hill -- likely locked himself into the No. 3 spot on the depth chart in Saturday's game. With the Packers likely keeping only three running backs, Taylor is on the outside looking in with one preseason game to go.

Dallas caught all three of his targets for 27 yards and returned two kicks for 73 yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Broncos.

Dallas didn't run the ball at all, but he showed flashes as a pass catcher and returner. The Seahawks likely won't provide Dallas with much backfield work as long as both Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny are healthy. However, Dallas' impact on special teams -- he blocked a punt Saturday as well -- and his receiving abilities make him a strong candidate for the No. 3 role. Alex Collins and Travis Homer (calf) are his primary competition.

Penny (thigh) carried five times for eight yards and caught his lone target for six yards in Saturday's 30-3 preseason loss to the Broncos.

After tearing his ACL in Week 14 of the 2019 season, Penny came back last year and logged just 11 carries for 34 yards over three games. The Seahawks didn't pick up his fifth-year option, so he's battling for placement on the depth chart. This was a tough start to Penny's comeback, though we shouldn't read into this exhibition performance too much. The Broncos' starting defensive line was on the field against the Seahawks' backup offensive line. Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic believes Penny will be the No. 2 back to start the year, but Chris Carson should handle a majority of the reps as long as he's healthy.

McKinnon turned in three carries for four yards and three catches for another 21 yards and a touchdown during Friday's preseason game versus the Cardinals.

McKinnon was brought to Kansas City with the knowledge that he specializes as a receiving threat out of the backfield. While he was unable to get much done as a runner Friday, he took advantage of his opportunities as a receiver, snaring a five-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter. Per John Dillon of USA Today, McKinnon is in an important three-way battle with Darwin Thompson and Derrick Gore to claim the No. 3 running back spot behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) and Darrel Williams (head), so the third preseason contest could be even more important.