NFL Player News

Mostert is in line to play in Sunday's preseason contest at the Chargers, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said after Friday's joint practice with the Chargers that 49ers starters will log "a quarter, a quarter and a half" in their second exhibition. As a result, it appears San Fran is set to have its dress rehearsal for the regular season Sunday. Mostert should get a lot of the backfield reps while the starters are on the field, yielding the occasional touch to Trey Sermon and perhaps even Wayne Gallman.

Dillon, who didn't participate in team drills during Wednesday's practice due to a calf issue, was able to do so Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

As previously implied by Schneidman Dillon's limitations on Wednesday were "mostly precautionary." With Jamaal Williams having joined the Lions via free agency during the offseason, Dillon is in line to serve as Aaron Jones' top backup this coming season.

Taylor carried 12 times for 93 yards and a TD and caught all three of his targets for 18 yards in Thursday's 35-0 preseason win over the Eagles.

With Damien Harris, James White, Sony Michel, Rhamondre Stevenson and special-teams ace Brandon Bolden also in the team's backfield mix, the Patriots have some tough roster choices to make in advance of final cutdowns. Listed by the team at 5-foot-6, 185 pounds, Taylor isn't really suited for a key early-down role, but if he's able to stick -- either on the final roster heading into Week 1 or as a practice squad member -- the Arizona product could occasionally make his mark as a change-of-pace option on weeks that he's made active.

Harris logged eight snaps on offense in Thursday's 35-0 preseason win over the Eagles, NESN's Zack Cox reports.

It's not a surprise that Harris -- the Patriots' presumed top back -- and pass-catching ace James White (five snaps) saw limited touches Thursday, given their solid roster standing. In that context, Sony Michel, Rhamondre Stevenson and J.J. Taylor logged the bulk of rushing opportunities versus the Eagles, as they jostle for slotting on the team's depth chart. While Harris continues to profile as the New England back to target earliest in fantasy drafts, the team's deep backfield could lead to a regular-season scenario in which Harris' week-to-week workload varies due to game flow and opponent-specific game scripts.

Elliott will not suit up for Saturday's preseason contest against the Texans, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Elliott is fully healthy and reportedly in fantastic shape, but the Cowboys haven't called upon him to handle preseason action since 2017, so it won't be any surprise if he sits out the team's final two exhibition contests. Dak Prescott (shoulder) will also sit out Saturday, but all of Amari Cooper (ankle), Tyron Smith (elbow), Zack Martin and La'el Collins are expected to take the field, albeit while handling limited reps.

Stevenson rushed 15 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns and secured one of two targets for eight yards in the Patriots' 35-0 preseason win over the Eagles on Thursday night.

The rookie fourth-round pick is making things interesting in the Patriots backfield this summer, as he managed to follow up a spectacular 127-yard, two-touchdown effort in the exhibition opener against Washington with his pair of scores Thursday night. The 6-foot, 231-pound Stevenson has no shortage of competition in a crowded running back depth chart, but the Oklahoma product may lock in a solid role to start the campaign if he's able to shine again in the Sunday, Aug. 29 preseason finale versus the Giants.

Sanders rushed two times for 13 yards in the Eagles' 35-0 preseason loss to the Patriots on Thursday night.

One of Sanders' runs went for 10 yards, making up the bulk of his production during his brief time on the field. The third-year back reportedly has re-solidified his grip on the starting job after opening training camp splitting some first-team reps with Boston Scott, but given quarterback Jalen Hurts was a late scratch due to illness Thursday, Sanders may not have an opportunity to play with the second-year signal-caller until Philadelphia's regular-season opener against the Falcons on Sept. 12.

Harris rushed six times for 14 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' 35-0 preseason win over the Eagles on Thursday night.

Harris turned in an inefficient performance from a yards-per-carry perspective, but he did cash in with a five-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter following an Eagles turnover. The third-year back wasn't targeted for the second straight exhibition Thursday, and Harris also saw rookie fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson thrive again with another pair of rushing touchdowns. Therefore, the exact pecking order in New England's backfield may be in flux heading into the Sunday, Aug. 29 preseason finale against the Giants, considering Sony Michel is naturally also in the mix.

Sanders is in line to play in Thursday's preseason contest against the Patriots, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It's unclear exactly how many snaps Sanders and the rest of the starting offense will handle, but for the running back it'll mark his first (and perhaps only) appearance of exhibition season. While he opened training camp splitting first-team reps with change-of-pace option Boston Scott, Sanders has taken the majority of them in recent practices, indicating he remains the Eagles' unquestioned No. 1 back. During his first two pro campaigns, Sanders averaged 85.4 yards from scrimmage per game and scored 12 touchdowns in 28 outings.

Barkley (knee) is suited up for Thursday's joint practice with the Browns, but coach Joe Judge said the running back won't take any live snaps, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

This falls in line with reports earlier this month suggesting the Giant would wait for the final week of the preseason to really ramp up Barkley's workload. That doesn't mean he'll play in an exhibition, but we could see a return to full-team drills as soon as next week, once the Giants resume practicing after Sunday's preseason tilt in Cleveland. Former teammate Odell Beckham seems to be a step ahead of Barkley in the ACL rehab process, though the wideout still figures to miss Sunday's reunion.