NFL Player News

Raiders coach Jon Gruden suggested Martin won't get much playing time in Friday's preseason game against Green Bay, Vic Tafur of The Athletic Bay Area reports.

Gruden seems to be indirectly hinting that Martin will have a spot on the 53-man roster. The 29-year-old back took one carry for three yards in Oakland's preseason opener, but then was held out -- along with a slew of other veterans -- for Saturday's loss to the Rams. Gruden likely wants to use the third preseason game to evaluate Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington and Chris Warren. Marshawn Lynch's status as the lead back is the only true piece of clarity in the Oakland backfield.

Jones (hamstring, suspension) handled first-team reps at Monday's practice, Michael Cohen of The Athletic Wisconsin reports.

Jones has been in recovery mode since the outset of training camp due to a hamstring injury, which has kept him out of both Packers exhibitions to date. Taking reps with the starters is a great sign that he's trending toward game action Friday in Oakland. The appearance likely would be his last until Week 3 of the regular season, which he'll kick off with a two-game suspension. During that time, Green Bay's backfield will be composed of Jamaal Williams (ankle) and Ty Montgomery.

Pressley was signed by the Giants on Monday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

The Giants were in need of another body at running back while Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Jalen Simmons (concussion) nurse their injuries. Pressley has yet to appear in a regular-season game since entering the NFL in 2016, so he'll be a longshot to make the 53-man roster in New York.

Fowler signed with the Falcons on Monday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Fowler spent his first three seasons in the league with the Titans, rushing 10 times for 20 yards and two touchdowns. Most recently, he spent the offseason with Seattle until being cut last week. Fowler, who is the only fullback with NFL experience on the roster, will compete against Ricky Ortiz and Luke McNitt for the starting gig.

Green was waived by the Colts on Monday, the team's official site reports.

Green was signed as a free agent by the Colts just last week. However, the team elected to move on, ultimately signing Cobi Hamilton on Monday to fill their need for additional depth at receiver.

Clement (lower body) is considered day-to-day, with the expectation of ramping up his practice workload next week, Graham Foley of the Eagles' official website reports.

Clement and WR Nelson Agholor are in similar situations, dealing with unspecified lower body injuries that likely will hold them out for the rest of the preseason. Coach Doug Pederson hasn't sounded too concerned about either player's Week 1 availability, but Pederson did provide a hint that Clement and Agholor will be absent or limited at practice all week. Neither has much to prove in terms of role, with Clement locked in as the No. 2 rusher in what figures to be a three-headed backfield with Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles.

Coach Mike McCarthy is hopeful Jones (hamstring, suspension) will be ready for a little bit of playing time in Friday's preseason game against Oakland, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Already dealing with the weight of an impending two-game suspension, Jones was handed another setback when he injured his hamstring within the first few days of training camp. He still hasn't played in a preseason game or managed full participation in a practice, but it sounds as if McCarthy expects both of those things to happen this week. In other Green Bay running back news, Jamaal Williams (ankle) is expected to be a limited participant in practice this week after making an early exit from Thursday's preseason win over the Steelers. Williams and Montgomery figure to dominate backfield snaps while Jones serves his suspension at the beginning of the regular season.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Williams (ankle) will be limited in practice this week, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Participation in any capacity would confirm that Williams escaped with a minor injury after exiting Thursday's preseason win over the Steelers. An appearance in Friday's exhibition against Oakland might be a lot to ask, but it at least seems Williams is on the right track to make it back before Week 1. Ty Montgomery could be busy with the first-team offense Friday, though the Packers are hopeful Aaron Jones (hamstring, suspension) also will be available.

Barkley (hamstring) isn't practicing with his teammates Monday, but he appears to be moving and running without any problem while doing individual drills on a side field, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Monday marks a full week since Barkley suffered a mild hamstring strain, with his continued absence from practice suggesting he could be held out of Friday's preseason game against the Jets. The prized rookie doesn't have anything to prove in terms of role or talent, and the Giants already saw him at work in a game setting when he took five carries for 43 yards in the first week of the preseason. Barkley has 20 days to get back to full strength for a difficult Week 1 matchup with the Jaguars.

Abdullah didn't make a good impression as the starting running back in Friday's preseason loss to the Giants, MLive.com's Kyle Meinke reports.

Meinke speculates that the Lions may have been showcasing Abdullah for a potential trade, considering there isn't much evidence of the fourth-year back being a real threat to LeGarrette Blount, Kerryon Johnson and Theo Riddick. Whatever the case, Abdullah didn't make a good argument for himself Friday, with his work including a botched handoff and a muffed kickoff. He managed just five yards from three touches on offense and 19 yards on two kick returns, taking a clear step back from his solid showing -- a 4-16-1 rushing line -- in the first week of the preseason. For what it's worth, Meinke still expects Abdullah to stick around on the 53-man roster as the No. 4 running back.