NFL Player News

Williams picked up 10 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's preseason finale against Detroit.

Williams received the start and was busy throughout the first quarter before eventually giving way to Joe Banyard, who finished with 14 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. While Banyard may have played his way onto the roster with a strong preseason, Mike Tolbert is the bigger threat to Williams' backup duties, with the former Panther representing a proven asset on passing downs and in short-yardage spots.

Clement gained 16 yards on four carries and lost two yards on one reception in Thursday's preseason finale against the Jets.

The undrafted rookie out of Wisconsin had a quiet finish to a productive preseason, taking each of his four carries within the Eagles' first six offensive snaps. Clement finishes the exhibition schedule with 28 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns, which he hopes will be enough to beat out LeGarrette Blount or Donnel Pumphrey for a roster spot. The Eagles probably don't want to risk losing Pumphrey to another team and likely want to see if Blount looks any better once the games count. That leaves Clement as a prime candidate for the practice squad.

Williams gained 31 yards on 11 carries and six yards on one reception in Thursday's preseason finale against the Rams.

Williams received the start at running back, yet still played into the third quarter, with the extensive playing time suggesting he isn't all that secure in his presumed role as Ty Montgomery's top backup. Fellow rookies DeVante Mays and Aaron Jones were quiet while mostly taking third-team reps throughout the preseason, but they both stepped up Thursday and outplayed Williams. While he'll still likely enter Week 1 as the Packers' No. 2 back on the depth chart, Williams may have more competition for backup work than previously believed.

Wilds (shoulder) is not likely to play in Thursday's exhibition finale against the Bears.

Wilds isn't likely to hold onto a roster spot as a running back, but there still is a chance he makes it for special teams purposes. However, he appears to have a better of chance of sticking on the practice squad than on the active roster.

The hearing pertaining to Elliott's appeal of his six-game suspension concluded Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The process took three days and more than 25 hours to conclude. While an outcome on the matter has yet to be determined, Adam Schefter of ESPN indicates that Harold Henderson, the appeals officer in the Elliott hearing, "is under pressure to have a decision by Monday." Henderson could thus elect to reduce or uphold the league's initial ruling, after which Elliott can either accept the determination or pursue his case through other legal channels.

Hightower may be on the bubble for a roster spot with the 49ers, Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Carlos Hyde and 2017 fourth-round pick Joe Williams entered camp as roster locks, and undrafted rookie Matt Breida has also made a strong push for a spot. Hightower may be competing against Raheem Mostert for one roster spot, with the battle potentially playing out during Thursday's preseason finale against the Chargers. Even if he does end up making the team, Hightower won't necessarily have a significant Week 1 role on offense.

Washington isn't expected to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bills, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

This confirms the notion that Washington has earned a roster spot, joining Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner (undisclosed) in the Detroit backfield. Washington has made a strong push to supplant Zenner for the No. 3 role, a job that could include goal-line and short-yardage work. Matt Asiata and Tion Green are expected to handle the bulk of the carries in Thursday's exhibition.

Bolden appears likely to make the Patriots' final roster, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.

Bolden's future with the Patriots came into question this offseason when the team added Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead to a backfield that already included James White and Dion Lewis. The team may be able to keep five running backs, as Bolden and Burkhead both have track records serving as major contributors on special teams. Bolden won't have a significant role in the offense, however.

The Cowboys have opted to add depth at running back by bringing in Brown-Dukes on Wednesday, SportsDayDFW.com reports.

Brown-Dukes was waived midway through camp by the Steelers. The 5-foot-9, 200-pound back doesn't have a likely route to the final roster but could be a candidate for the practice squad.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Rawls (ankle) and C.J. Prosise (groin) both are healthy enough to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Raiders, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR reports.

Carroll declined to specify if the two running backs actually would play, merely suggesting that they are healthy enough to do so. The Seahawks figure to hold out a number of key players in a game that's primarily designed to settle competitions at the back of the roster. Rawls worked ahead of Eddie Lacy throughout most of training camp and returned to practice Tuesday, but it still isn't entirely clear which player will get the start Week 1 in Green Bay. The Seahawks likely will deploy a three-way committee to open the season.