NFL Player News

The 49ers released Hightower on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Early in training camp, there were some inklings that Hightower was vying for reps with the first-team offense over Carlos Hyde, but the cream rose to the top throughout the preseason, leaving Hyde in his expected role with the top reserve RB spot going to undrafted free agent Matt Breida. At 31 years of age, Hightower may be reaching the end of the line as a viable professional.

Hillman was officially cut by the Cowboys on Friday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Given the Cowboys' depth at the running back position, it would have taken an impressive camp from Hillman for him to latch on with the team beyond the preseason. That didn't happen, so he's now free to find a job with another club.

Thompson was waived by the Broncos on Friday, Mike Klis of 9News reports.

An undrafted rookie in 2014, Thompson managed to garner a roster spot in each of his first three seasons and played in 30 games for the Broncos between 2014 and 2015. He'll either be claimed by another club or wind up on the free-agent market.

The Lions released Asiata on Friday.

Asiata would have provided some goal-line punch if he made the Lions' 53-man roster, but his performance in the preseason was lacking, to say least. He converted 27 carries into 66 yards and no touchdowns, adding two catches on four targets for 14 yards. After a successful five-year run with the Vikings prior to this stint with the Lions, it wouldn't surprise if another organization gives Asiata a shot, perhaps as early as Week 1.

Wilds (shoulder) was waived/injured by the Browns on Friday.

Wilds signed with the Browns in late July, but recently suffered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of Thursday's preseason finale. He'll now likely end up on the team's injured reserve, where he'll have to be medically cleared before being able to sign with another team.

The Cardinals released Johnson on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Johnson was hopeful that a good situation would emerge in the offseason, but there were no takers, and he eventually landed back with the Cardinals just before training camp. He proceeded to put together a negligible line in the preseason, taking 13 carries for 41 yards. In the end, two fumbles in Saturday's exhibition in Atlanta may have spurred his release, but the performance of younger RB options in Kerwynn Williams and Andre Ellington likely also played a role.

Taliaferro was released by the Ravens on Friday, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports.

The Ravens began the process of paring their roster down to 53 men Friday, releasing nine players early in the day. Taliaferro, a fourth-round selection by the team in 2014, had made the switch to fullback this preseason to up his chances at making the final roster. However, a lack of feel for his new position coupled with mediocre rushing totals (15 carries, 31 yards) made Taliaferro expendable.

Banyard carried 14 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's preseason finale. He also caught both of his targets for a total of 17 yards.

Assuming the run-oriented Bills keep five people in their backfield, that looks like it'll be enough for Banyard to make the team over Taiwan Jones and Jordan Johnson. Anything can happen on what will be one giant cut day, but a fivesome of running backs LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Williams and Banyard with fullbacks Patrick DiMarco and Mike Tolbert looks like the best bet once all the dust settles. That all said, if Banyard does make the squad, he'll start fourth in terms of fantasy value, ahead of only blocking guru DiMarco.

Phillips was waived by the Packers on Friday, Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Phillips, an undrafted free agent, needed an impressive preseason in order to surpass any of the three running backs the Packers drafted in 2017, and his average of 2.5 YPC on his 12 attempts was not enough to get the job done.

Rainey was released by the Ravens on Friday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Rainey signed with the Ravens in late July for some added depth in the backfield after the team lost Kenneth Dixon to meniscus surgery. He was essentially competing for the No. 3 spot on the running back depth chart behind Terrance West and Danny Woodhead, but it's likely that spot will go to Javorius Allen. Rainey likely still has value for some NFL teams, as he boasts a fairly reliable track record of both health and production.