NFL Player News

Mattison didn't have a carry and caught both of his targets for 16 yards during Saturday's preseason defeat to the Colts.

With Dalvin Cook unavailable, Mattison interestingly was on the receiving end of Kirk Cousins' first two passes, but when the Vikings went to the ground Ameer Abdullah garnered the first two rushes. Afterward, Mattison didn't see another touch, while Abdullah got work with both the starters and reserves until halftime. Mattison has a firm hold on the backup RB job to Dalvin Cook, so the former's usage Saturday likely was to ensure he avoided any sort of health concern. When Cook sat out Weeks 6 and 17 last season, Mattison combined for 35 touches, 175 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.

Williams rushed seven times for 20 yards and secured one of two targets for five yards in the Broncos' 30-3 preseason win over the Seahawks on Saturday night. He also fumbled into the end zone, where it was recovered by offensive lineman Dalton Risner for a touchdown.

The rookie saw the opportunity for his first rushing score as a pro slip through his fingers for the second straight game, as he'd also had a touchdown nullified by penalty in last Saturday's exhibition opener against the Vikings. Williams opened the same drive that culminated with his fumble by ripping off his two most impressive runs of the night, as he rattled off eight- and six-yard carries off left end. The North Carolina product already has shown a propensity for solid chunk gains over his first pair of exhibitions, and he should see a solid amount of opportunities right out of the gate this season while working in tandem with Melvin Gordon.

Ollison carried the ball seven times for 21 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins.

Ollison didn't participate in the team's first exhibition, so this served as his 2021 debut. He was the first back on the field and was heavily involved on the first three offensive possessions. Mike Davis was among the Falcons who didn't take the field, but it appears that Ollison remains in position to serve as Davis' primary backup.

Harris rushed four times for 10 yards and secured two of three targets for 53 yards in the Steeles' 26-20 preseason win over the Lions on Saturday night.

The rookie first-round pick was quiet on the ground for the second straight exhibition. However, he flashed his excellent hands and speed in space with a 46-yard catch-and-run off a crossing pattern shortly after the halfway point of the first quarter, getting the ball down to the Lions' 12-yard line to kick off a drive that would culminate in Pat Freiermuth's second touchdown catch of the night. Harris has been used sparingly overall with an eye on keeping him healthy come Week 1, but by all accounts, he's been as good as advertised in camp and has already demonstrated his elite physical skills on a handful of plays this preseason. Having logged action in the team's first three exhibition contests, it's very possible Harris sits for the preseason finale against the Panthers on Friday.

Dillon gained 28 rushing yards on four carries and caught both his targets for 12 yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Jets.

With Aaron Jones among the regular-season starters held out by Green Bay on Saturday, Dillon got the start and powered his way to a couple big gains on the Packers' first series before he gave way to Kylin Hill. Dillon is set for a big increase in his workload in his second NFL season, but it would likely take an injury to Jones for him to make a consistent impact.

Ahmed rushed twice for six yards and secured two of four targets for 19 yards in the Dolphins' 37-17 preseason win over the Falcons on Saturday night.

Ahmed saw backfield mates Myles Gaskin and Malcolm Brown combine for 20 touches, leaving him as more of an afterthought in the ground attack for the night. However, while Brown wasn't targeted in the passing game, Ahmed at least enjoyed a solid role in that regard. The second-year back's usage was also notably less than that of his two teammates in the exhibition opener against the Bears, so Ahmed does seem headed for a No. 3 role that likely will only net single-digit carries on the majority of weeks while Gaskin and Brown are healthy.

Perine gained 16 yards on six carries in Saturday's preseason win over the Packers.

The second-year back saw his first touch of the game in the third quarter, as the Jets ran with Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson through the first half before turning to Perine and Michael Carter in the backfield after intermission. If the club only ends up keeping three backs on the gam-eday roster, that doesn't bode well for Perine, as Carter -- a 2021 fourth-round pick -- should be a lock.

Gaskin rushed six times for 27 yards and a touchdown and secured all four targets for 44 yards and another score in the Dolphins' 37-17 preseason win over the Falcons on Saturday night.

Gaskin made a strong case for being deployed as a true lead back in a crowded backfield come the regular season with Saturday's versatile performance. The third-year back had a hand in both of Miami's first-half touchdowns, finding the end zone from a yard out on the ground in the first quarter before adding an eight-yard receiving score to cap off an 11-play drive early in the second quarter. Gaskin also saw his likely primary competitor for touches, offseason signee Malcolm Brown, turn in a solid 10-carry, 43-yard, one-touchdown tally, so it's likely the two players and Salvon Ahmed still see a fair share of work week-to-week, with Gaskin seemingly having a good opportunity to lead the pack by at least a modest degree.

Jefferson rushed three times for 22 yards during Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh.

Getting the start with D'Andre Swift (groin) and Jamaal Williams in street clothes, Jefferson showed a little more wiggle than he did in the team's exhibition opener last week against Buffalo. However, as the rookie seems locked into Detroit's No. 3 job at running back, it is likely that Jefferson's preseason snaps may be over. If so, look for Dedrick Mills, Godwin Igwebuike and Craig Reynolds to carry the load in the finale next Friday against Indianapolis.

Carter gained 52 rushing yards on 10 carries and lost one yard while catching his only target in Saturday's preseason win over the Packers.

While his numbers were good, the context was not -- Carter didn't see action until the third quarter and was the fourth Jets back in the game, entering after Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson and La'Mical Perine had already gotten snaps. The team's initial depth chart had listed him fourth as well, and while Carter is seen to have more upside than the RBs he's competing with, the 2021 fourth-round pick may have to earn his touches as the regular season progresses rather than seeing big volume right out of the gate.