NFL Player News

Johnson rushed four times for 36 yards and caught four of five targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 17-13 preseason win over the Giants.

Johnson was Cleveland's first tailback to feature Sunday, and he did well with his workload. Along with totaling nearly 60 total yards, Johnson also recovered a fumble by quarterback Kyle Lauletta. Although John Kelly impressed with nine carries for 58 yards and a touchdown after Johnson exited, the USF product at least helped himself heading into what could be a crucial preseason finale next Sunday in his quest to earn a roster spot behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Brightwell rushed three times for seven yards in Sunday's 17-13 preseason loss to the Browns. He also caught three of five targets for 12 yards.

Brightwell saw action behind Devontae Booker and Corey Clement. The rookie sixth-rounder didn't manage many yards, but Brightwell at least showed some pass-catching utility, tying for the team high in receptions. Although Booker and Clement represent needed veteran insurance behind star Saquon Barkley, Brightwell nonetheless will hope to earn a roster spot following next weekend's exhibition finale.

Igwebuike rushed seven times for 21 yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for four yards during Saturday's preseason loss to the Steelers.

Igwebuike was bottled up on most of his attempts, but he showed some burst on an eight-yard touchdown run to start the fourth quarter. With each of D'Andre Swift (groin), Jamaal Williams and Jermar Jefferson likely to be rested during Detroit's preseason finale Friday against the Colts, the converted safety could see even more work on the ground alongside Dedrick Mills and Craig Reynolds.

Mills rushed four times for nine yards while securing both of his targets for seven yards during Saturday's preseason loss to the Steelers.

With Jermar Jefferson seemingly locked into the No. 3 role behind D'Andre Swift (groin) and Jamaal Williams, Mills now seems to be in a battle with Craig Reynolds and Godwin Igwebuike for a potential No. 4 job at running back. While Mills didn't do anything special in this one, he did have an impressive 20-yard gain on fourth-and-1 in the preseason opener last week against Buffalo. If each of Swift, Williams and Jefferson are rested for the preseason finale, Mills could have his biggest exhibition workload yet when Detroit takes on Indianapolis on Friday.

Clement rushed nine times for 30 yards in Sunday's 17-13 preseason loss to the Browns.

Clement entered the game after Devontae Booker started and managed 40 yards and a touchdown from eight touches over New York's first two drives. Although Clement protected the ball after fumbling in his first preseason outing, Booker's superior performance should keep him as the Giants' top backup behind Saquon Barkley heading into next weekend's exhibition finale.

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.