NFL Player News

Artis-Payne rushed five times for one yard in Thursday's 28-23 win over the Bills in the preseason opener.

Artis-Payne led the Panthers in carries, yet barely found any room to run. It's notable that his first touch came in the second quarter, while fellow tailback and competitor Kenjon Barner didn't get his first carry until the fourth. Look for those two to use the remaining three exhibition tilts to jockey for position behind Christian McCaffrey and C.J. Anderson.

Williams carried the ball 11 times for 27 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's preseason win over Dallas. He also secured two of three targets for 15 yards.

Williams didn't have a strong game from a yards-per-carry standpoint, but he has received positive reviews in camp for an improved work ethic following a disappointing rookie season. The 24-year-old has been competing with Raheem Mostert for No. 3 on the 49ers' depth chart, but Matt Breida's shoulder injury could turn it into a battle for the primary backup role if the latter is forced to miss extended time.

Penny rushed eight times for 16 yards and brought in both of his targets for seven yards in the Seahawks' 19-17 preseason loss to the Colts on Thursday.

The rookie couldn't quite find the same level of success on the ground that fellow back Chris Carson enjoyed, although he did make a modest impact in the passing game. Penny saw action from the first possession, although Carson received the first carry of the contest. Irrespective of which player secures the top spot on the depth chart heading into the regular season, both figure to see a fair share of work as the campaign unfolds. Penny will look to up his rushing numbers against the Chargers in the Seahawks' second exhibition game a week from Saturday.

Wilkins had six carries for 21 yards and one reception for seven yards in Thursday's preseason win over Seattle.

It was a mixed bag for Wilkins' preseason debut. He didn't get carries until the fourth quarter and he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. However, he showed flashes on some runs and several Colts beat writers continue to say he's had an impressive training camp. He's still a rookie to watch in the preseason, especially if Marlon Mack's hamstring injury (suffered in Thursday's game) ends up being serious. He's in the competition for playing time after Mack along with Nyheim Hines, Robert Turbin and Christine Michael.

Hines had three carries for seven yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game in Thursday's preseason win over Seattle. He mishandled two punts and a kickoff return as the team's return specialist, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reports.

It was an underwhelming debut for Hines, who didn't see most of his action on offense until the second half. Hines drew a lot of praise in minicamp and in training camp with the coaching staff saying they had plans to use him in the backfield, in the slot, and out wide. Those plans made it sound like he'd be a significant part of the offense, but that wasn't the case Thursday. Still, it's early in the preseason and his role could increase significantly, especially if Marlon Mack's hamstring injury keeps him out of regular season games.

Drake rushed three times for 16 yards and secured his only target for seven yards in the Dolphins' 26-24 preseason loss to the Buccaneers on Thursday.

Listed as a co-starter alongside the venerable Frank Gore on the initial iteration of the depth chart, Drake had the first-team reps to himself with the veteran predictably sitting out the exhibition opener. The third-year back logged all three of his carries in consecutive fashion on the team's opening series, a drive in which he received all four of his touches. Despite presently sharing the top of the depth chart with Gore, Drake projects to enjoy at least a slim majority in terms of carries during the coming season. He'll look to build on Thursday's effort against the Panthers a week from Friday during the Dolphins' second exhibition tilt.

Jones rushed eight times for nine yards and a touchdown and failed to come up with his only target in the Buccaneers' 26-24 preseason win over the Dolphins on Thursday.

If not for the fact that he got into the end zone, the rookie's NFL debut would have been utterly forgettable. Jones was repeatedly stymied by the Dolphins' front, and his main competition for touches, Peyton Barber, outpaced him on the ground during his time on the field. The USC product also came up empty on the pass-catching front, a dimension of his game the Bucs have emphasized they want to develop. Jones will look to have a bigger impact in the Buccaneers' second exhibition tilt, which unfolds against the Titans on Aug. 18.

Walton rushed for 13 yards on four carries during Thursdays 30-27 victory over Chicago.

Walton was far from the biggest or fastest back taken in April, but his production in a pro-style scheme helped lead him to a fourth-round selection. He didn't turn many heads on Thursday, never carrying the ball for more than four yards at a time. Meanwhile, starter Joe Mixon broke off a 24-yard reception for a score. With Mixon and veteran Giovani Bernard in the fold, don't expect too much from the rookie.

Breida is questionable to return to Thursday's preseason game against the 49ers with a shoulder injury.

Breida was one of a slew of early injuries for San Francisco on Thursday, with starting tight end George Kittle (shoulder) and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas (head) also forced out. Breida is currently slated as the 49ers' No. 2 running back behind Jerrick McKinnon, but has taken snaps with the first team and made an early impact in camp. The severity of his injury is not yet known, but as long as Breida is out, expect Joe Williams or Raheem Mostert to slide in as San Francisco's second-string running back.

Conner rushed for 25 yards on four carries and added a nine-yard catch during Thursday's 31-14 win over the Eagles.

Three of Conner's carries went for at least seven yards and the Steelers scored the contest's first touchdown by throwing deep to JuJu Smith-Schuster after pounding Conner into the line on three consecutive plays. The local product has looked strong this camp and that continued into Thursday. It's just hard to get too excited with Le'Veon Bell looming.