NFL Player News

Evans rushed three times for 10 yards and brought in one of two targets for a 29-yard touchdown in the Bengals' 29-26 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

The rookie sixth-round pick continued to flash his receiving prowess with the touchdown catch, which came early in the second quarter in connection with backup quarterback Brandon Allen. Evans has made an impression with his pass-catching skills in particular this summer despite recording a modest 49 total receptions in 42 college games at Michigan, and Sunday's score may have at least sealed him the No. 4 running back job.

Williams (hamstring) rushed nine times for 44 yards, brought in both targets for three yards and returned one kickoff for 23 yards in the Bengals' 29-26 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Williams needed to get out on the field Sunday to avoid missing the entirety of preseason and make a final case for a roster spot, and all told he did well with the opportunity. The third-year pro was solid in 10 games last season, averaging 6.0 yards per carry on his 26 rushes and adding five receptions. Given his productive performance Sunday, Williams may have assured himself a roster spot, but rookie sixth-round pick Chris Evans, arguably Williams' biggest competition for the No. 3 running back role, did flash with a 29-yard touchdown reception against Miami, while backfield mate Jacques Patrick garnered 61 total yards in his own right.

Mostert rushed seven times for 53 yards in Sunday's 34-10 preseason win over the Raiders.

Mostert garnered all of San Francisco's running-back touches on its first offensive drive and was highly efficient with his opportunities. He then saw rookie Trey Sermon incorporated on the second series, and fellow tailbacks JaMycal Hasty and Wayne Gallman shine afterward. Although Sermon should factor prominently in the 49ers' backfield rotation, Mostert seems the most likely candidate to start Week 1 versus the Lions, which would give him good upside as the leader of an often dominant running scheme.

Sermon rushed seven times for 37 yards in Sunday's 34-10 preseason win over the Raiders.

Sermon saw teammate Raheem Mostert get all the tailback touches on San Francisco's first drive before getting involved himself on the second. The rookie once again looked good, as did most of the Niners' ballcarriers, finishing with 242 rushing yards as a team. Heading into his first regular season, Sermon should be a strong option alongside Mostert in arguably the league's best rushing scheme.

Evans (knee) didn't play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Bears, Mike Moraitis of USA Today reports.

The running back still is bouncing back from a knee issue, and with Brian Hill (undisclosed) now on IR and Jeremy McNichols (undisclosed) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team's depth behind starter Derrick Henry currently is taxed. When healthy, Evans profiles as the Titans' No. 2 RB, though it's an assignment that doesn't carry much fantasy utility so long as Henry is available.

Ozigbo carried the ball 11 times for 68 yards and a touchdown and caught both his targets for 10 yards in Sunday's preseason win over the Cowboys.

The numbers look good, but Ozigbo was the fourth back into the game for the Jaguars after James Robinson, Carlos Hyde and Dare Ogunbowale handled all the first-half snaps, and Ozigbo's performance likely didn't allow him to move up the depth chart. The third-year RB spent more time on special teams than he did on offense when he was active last year, and the same is likely to be true again in 2021.

Ogunbowale carried the ball twice for six yards and caught two of three targets for eight yards in Sunday's preseason win over the Cowboys.

The Jaguars helpfully made it very clear what their backfield pecking order looks like in the team's preseason finale, as James Robinson worked the first two series of the game and Carlos Hyde got the third (and Trevor Lawrence's last), before Ogunbowale took over for the rest of the first half. Barring another injury ahead of him on the depth chart like the one that ended the season of Travis Etienne (foot), Ogunbowale once again could see more snaps on special teams than he does on offense.

Robinson carried the ball three times for 10 yards and caught his only target for two yards in Sunday's preseason win over the Cowboys.

The second-year back was only on the field for the Jaguars' first two series. Robinson is set to handle lead duties once again with Travis Etienne (foot) out for the season, and while the offense likely will look very different with Trevor Lawrence under center and Urban Meyer running the show, Robinson's three-down skill set and powerful running style should result in significant touch volume once again, even if Carlos Hyde cuts into his action on early downs.

Williams' role in the Ravens offense is in line to expand following reports that fellow running back J.K. Dobbins has suffered a season-ending torn ACL, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

In the absence of Dobbins, Gus Edwards is slated to step into the the team's lead role, while Williams, Justice Hill and undrafted rookie Nate McCrary are in the mix for complementary work. Given that Hill has missed time with an ankle issue and Williams has been impressive this summer, Hensley suggests that Williams could end up securing the No. 2 role behind Edwards heading into the coming season. It's still possible that the Ravens could add some backfield depth in short order, but in the wake of Dobbins' injury, Williams now is worth considering late in drafts or as a low-cost flyer in bidding formats.

Dobbins (knee) will miss the entire 2021 season after an MRI conducted Sunday confirmed that the running back sustained a torn ACL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With that, look for Dobbins to head to injured reserve in the coming days. Meanwhile, Gus Edwards is slated to open the 2021 season as Baltimore's lead rusher, with Ty'Son Williams and Justice Hill (ankle) also in the mix for the team's backfield touches. Dobbins will face an arduous rehab for his left knee and could be limited for OTAs and potentially the start of training camp in 2022.