NFL Player News

Williams rushed 11 times for 41 yards during Thursday's preseason finale against the Packers. He also secured all three of his targets for an additional 19 yards and a touchdown.

Williams gave the Chiefs very good reason to keep him on the team ahead of Saturday's roster cuts. In fact, Williams looked like he might even be the second-best running back on the team, particularly after showing his impressive chops as a receiver. However, one needs to account for the fact that Williams was playing against depth-caliber competition Thursday, as both teams held out the majority of their starters.

Jones (suspension) took nine carries for 34 yards and a touchdown and caught three of four targets for 21 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against the Chiefs.

With Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery both held out, Jones got the start and played into the third quarter. Extended playing time in a preseason finale would normally be a bad sign, but in this case it was just an effort to give Jones some work before he serves a two-game suspension at the beginning of the regular season. Jones could have a sizable role in the Green Bay offense when he returns for Week 3, considering he was easily the team's most explosive runner last season, averaging 5.5 yards on 81 carries. Williams figures to get the start Week 1 against Chicago.

Barner rushed six times for 16 yards during Thursday's preseason finale against the Steelers. He also secured four of five targets for 27 yards.

Barner has had his moments this preseason, but he was outperformed in this one by Cameron Artis-Payne, who represents Barner's primary competition for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. There's a chance the Panthers keep both of these runners on the roster in advance of Week 1, but it wouldn't be a complete shock if Barner was let go in order to make room for another roster spot at cornerback or linebacker. After all, Barner's skills as a return man won't be moving the needle, given the talent Carolina has in Damiere Byrd, D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel.

Kelley took 11 carries for 49 yards and caught both of his targets for 14 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to Baltimore.

Kelley entered the game after Samaje Perine, who picked up 30 yards on seven carries. With Chris Thompson (leg) and Adrian Peterson already locked in, Kelley is competing with Perine and Kapri Bibbs for what likely will be two roster spots. Kelley's knowledge of the offense and value on special teams should keep him safe, but it won't be out of nowhere if he ends up getting cut.

Artis-Payne rushed five times for 35 yards during Thursday's preseason finale against the Steelers. He also secured both of his targets for seven yards receiving.

Artis-Payne entered the night fighting for a roster spot behind Christian McCaffrey and C.J. Anderson. That fact that he drew the start and proceeded to outperform his primary competition, Kenjon Barner, makes it seem as if Artis-Payne should be safe come Saturday's roster cuts. But then again, Barner more closely resembles the team's starter -- McCaffrey -- which could potentially hold weight in the minds of the Carolina coaching staff.

Walton injured his shoulder and isn't expected to return to Thursday's preseason game against the Colts, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Walton totaled 17 yards and his first career touchdown over 10 carries before exiting the game. Given the competition he's in with Brian Hill and Tra Carson for the No. 3 role behind Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard, any extended absence could bury Walton on the depth chart.

Perine (ankle) took seven carries for 30 yards and failed to catch his lone target in Thursday's preseason loss to Baltimore, also losing a fumble along the way.

With Chris Thompson (leg) and Adrian Peterson already locked into roster spots, Washington used Thursday's game to evaluate Perine, Rob Kelley and Kapri Bibbs. Perine got the start and had a reasonably efficient night on the ground, but Kelley fared a bit better with 11 carries for 49 yards. Given that Bibbs offers the most as a pass catcher, it isn't out of the question for either Perine or Kelley to be released within the next few days. Perine seemed to make it through Thursday's game without aggravating his ankle injury, but the lost fumble is concerning for a player with a history of ball-security issues.

Dayes rushed eight times for 77 yards and one touchdown during Thursday's preseason finale against the Lions. He also secured both of his targets for 34 yards.

The highlight of his night came on a 42-yard scamper in which Dayes carved through the Lions defense and eluded multiple defenders on his way to the end zone. While the second-year runner hadn't done much of anything in Cleveland's previous three preseason games, Thursday's performance could be enough to convince the coaching staff to keep four running backs on the 53-man roster entering Week 1.

Jones took 10 carries for four yards and didn't draw any targets in Thursday's preseason game against Jacksonville.

Blown up in the backfield for a five-yard loss on the first snap of the game, Jones struggled to get anything going while handling most of the backfield work throughout the first half. He finishes the preseason with a dismal stat line -- 28 carries for 22 yards and a TD -- though he did at least have one highlight with a 37-yard gain on his lone reception. All signs point to Peyton Barber starting and getting most of the carries Week 1 in New Orleans, but it won't come as any surprise if the Bucs find a way to get their rookie second-round pick involved. While clearly part of the problem, Jones did get a raw deal from his offensive line this preseason.

Freeman will not play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Cardinals, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Post reports.

Freeman, who will finish his first preseason having carried 15 times for 84 yards and three touchdowns over three games, will rest in advance of the Sep. 9 regular season opener. The rookie running back has been a major bright spot for the Broncos in training camp, and while it looks like he will be splitting work with Devontae Booker to start the year, more performances like the ones he has put forth this preseason would earn him a lion's share of the backfield soon enough.