NFL Player News

Martin was waived by the Patriots on Monday, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports.

Martin stopped for a cup of coffee in New England after signing with the team Sunday. He spent last offseason with the Giants but was waived just before OTAs. The running back will now look to find his third home before the start of the regular season.

McNichols carried the ball nine times for 43 yards in the team's third preseason contest against the Steelers on Sunday. He also failed to come up with his only target.

With Derrick Henry (calf) and David Fluellen (knee) both sidelined, McNichols was the second back to enter the game for the Titans. He was bottled up for many of his carries, but ultimately turned in long runs on consecutive totes late in the first half, accounting for 29 of his 43 yards. Though McNichols will find it hard to receive regular work without a prolonged injury to either Henry or Dion Lewis, he has performed well this preseason and is making his case to be a part of the final roster.

Murray (undisclosed) did not play in Saturday's preseason win over the Jets.

It remains to be seen what, if anything, is ailing Murray, but when healthy, he's in line to serve as a complementary option behind the Saints' top back, Alvin Kamara. It's a role that gives Murray modest fantasy utility out of the gate, but one that also puts him an injury away from relevance, given that Dwayne Washington and Jacquizz Rodgers aren't threats to his status as the team's No. 2 RB.

Drake (foot) "appeared explosive and sharp in his cuts as he ran through drills" during his return to practice Monday, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

The running back had missed two weeks worth of action with a foot injury that led to him donning a walking boot, but his return to practice Monday gets him right back into the team's starting Week 1 running back equation. At this stage, we'd expect Drake to head a timeshare with Kalen Ballage, an arrangement in which Drake likely would see more touches than his counterpart, but one in which Ballage would presumably be the team's goal-line back.

Perine (undisclosed) was spotted at practice Monday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Perine slots in behind Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson and Adrian Peterson on Washington's running back depth chart, which limits his fantasy utility for now, but his return to practice Monday will at least allow him to attempt to secure his role as a depth option in the team's backfield.

Drake (foot) has returned to practice, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

It remains to be seen how the Dolphins will classify Drake's participation level, but his return to the field, in any capacity, bodes well for his chances of being available for Week 1 action. Assuming he's healthy, Drake is in line to team up with Kalen Ballage to head Miami's rushing attack this season.

Barnes carried the ball nine times for 32 yards in the team's third preseason contest against the Steelers on Sunday. He also added two catches for five yards.

Barnes entered the game in the second half, with Logan Woodside under center. He tied for the team-lead with nine carries, and his longest rush of the day went for 10 yards. Barnes' work in the passing game is also noteworthy, as he excelled as a receiver out of the backfield in his final season at Kansas State. He has an outside shot to make the team, though with Dalyn Dawkins (undisclosed) and David Fluellen (knee) currently sidelined, he is getting his chance to make an impression on the Titans.

Conner rushed eight times for 41 yards and added 15 receiving yards on two catches in Sunday's 18-6 preseason win over Tennessee.

Conner did that damage in just one quarter of action as head coach Mike Tomlin didn't want to take a chance and leave his starters out there too long. The 24-year-old looked even better after gaining 28 yards in his last preseason appearance. Conner is lined up to lead the Steelers' backfield for the second straight season, but he may cede some receiving work to Jaylen Samuels after racking up 55 catches and 497 receiving yards in 2018.

Henry (calf) is not among the group of running backs warming up ahead of Sunday's preseason matchup with the Steelers, John Glennon of The Athletic reports.

Henry appears to be making progress in his return from a calf injury, but the Titans are playing it safe with their starting running back and holding him out once again. He's back to practicing, so Henry's Week 1 status doesn't look to be in doubt at this point.

Snell (groin) isn't expected to suit up for Sunday's preseason contest at Tennessee, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Snell suffered a groin injury in the Steelers' second exhibition on Aug. 17 and hasn't practiced in the interim. Despite this fact, Dulac called Snell's health concern "an undisclosed injury that is not expected to be serious." Snell likely is dealing with the former, so the fact that it's minor bodes well for a return to practice in the near future.