NFL Player News

Williams accounted for 20 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries along with two receptions for 35 yards in Thursday's 34-7 loss to Miami.

The undrafted rookie running back out of Louisville kept hope alive for a roster spot with a solid showing in the preseason finale, pacing the Atlanta backfield with 55 combined offensive yards and accounting for the team's lone touchdown over the past two weeks. Of the four leading candidates to become the Falcons' No. 3 option at running back -- Williams, Ito Smith, Terrence Magee and Justin Crawford -- Williams led the group in rushing yards (55), receiving yards (54) and touchdowns (one) throughout the exhibition slate.

Coach Dirk Koetter said Jones doesn't have any issues with effort or knowledge of the playbook, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "When his runs came up, we didn't block them very well, number one, and he wasn't able to do much with it on his own," Koetter said. "I know from Ronald's standpoint, it's not at all from lack of effort, or from him not knowing what he's doing."

Koetter seems to see the same thing as everyone else -- poor vision and decision-making from Jones combined with terrible blocking by the offensive line. The final product was a 28-22-1 rushing line for the rookie in four preseason games, with his lone reception producing more yards (37) than the cumulative total from 28 carries. Meanwhile, Peyton Barber toted the rock 15 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns in three preseason appearances, locking down the lead job for Week 1 in New Orleans. It won't come as any surprise if the Bucs try to get an immediate return on their second-round pick, but we probably shouldn't count on more than a handful of touches for Jones in the season opener.

Thomas had four carries for 12 yards and two receptions for 15 yards in Thursday's preseason win over Tennessee. He left in the second quarter with an ankle injury, ESPN 1500 am Twin Cities reports.

Mike Boone had 109 combined rushing and receiving yards and may have won the battle for the No. 3 running back job due to Thomas' injury.

Boone had 15 carries for 56 yards and two receptions for 53 yards in Thursday's preseason win over Tennessee.

Boone had a strong game while Roc Thomas struggled (four carries for 12 yards) and left with an ankle injury. Boone may have won the No. 3 running back job as a result.

Oliver (hamstring) had 10 carries for 33 yards, including a two-yard touchdown, in Thursday's preseason win over the Bengals.

Oliver is facing an uphill battle to make the Colts' 53-man roster with Marlon Mack, Christine Michael, Robert Turbin, Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins all likely ahead of him. However, with Turbin suspended for the first four games and Mack sidelined with a hamstring injury, he could win a final bench spot.

Williams took 16 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown, with one catch for seven yards on his only target in Thursday's preseason finale against the Rams.

Despite his solid outing to close out the exhibition slate, Williams saw his stock take a tumble when rookie sixth-round pick Boston Scott got the start and then piled up 68 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Per ESPN.com's Mike Triplett, Williams and Scott may both have opportunities to fill the void left by Mark Ingram's four-game suspension early in the season. The Saints also figure to increase Alvin Kamara's workload, but they've expressed hesitance about the idea of using him as a true workhorse.

Scott took 12 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown and caught one of three targets for three yards in Thursday's preseason finale against the Rams.

The rookie sixth-round pick was otherwise quiet this preseason, gaining 53 yards on 13 carries and and 15 yards on two catches prior to Thursday's explosion. Scott even got the starting nod over Jonathan Williams, who finished with 16 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for seven yards on his lone target. Williams previously seemed like the obvious choice to replace Mark Ingram (suspension) early in the season, but ESPN.com's Mike Triplett now believes Scott could also have a role. Of course, Alvin Kamara figures to get most of the snaps and touches while Ingram opens the year with a four-game ban.

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.