NFL Player News

Gillislee carried eight times for 38 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 30-28 exhibition win over the Lions.

Gillislee plowed into the end zone from a yard out to cap off his team's third consecutive touchdown drive to start the game. Though Dion Lewis and James White started the game and saw their share of action with the first-team offense, there seems to be a niche for Gillislee as a bigger back after his offseason arrival. His usage could be limited at times this season due to the wealth of options the team can turn to on offense, but he could see plenty of short-yardage work if he plays the role occupied by LeGerrette Blount a season ago. Gillislee is unlikely to see much, if any, action in next week's preseason finale against the Giants.

Gillislee (hamstring) is in uniform for Friday's preseason game against the Lions, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.

Meanwhile, fellow newcomer Rex Burkhead is slated to miss the contest, which affords Gillislee an opportunity to see key backfield reps in the Patriots' preseason dress rehearsal. Assuming he can avoid any injury setbacks, Gillislee will look to solidify his role in the New England offense, which potentially includes him carving out a majority of the team's short-yardage duties, which were handled primarily last year by LeGarrette Blount.

Grant appears to be in line to make the 53-man roster, John Oehser of Jaguars.com reports.

Entering his third season with the Jaguars, Grant once again entered camp on the roster bubble, but after ripping off runs of 50-plus yards in two of the team's three preseason contests, it would be a major surprise if the running back is left off the roster. Of course, Grant would still open as the fourth back behind Leonard Fournette, Chris Ivory, and T.J. Yeldon, but his breakaway speed is a major weapon that's unmatched by any of the aforementioned backs. In Week 17 of last season, with Yeldon and Ivory banged up, Grant got the starting nod against the Colts and rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.

Elliott is slated to attend his suspension appeal hearing at NFL headquarters in New York on Tuesday, NFL.com reports.

Elliott, who the NFL has suspended for six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy, has been excused from practice Monday and Tuesday in order to attend the hearing. Per the report, if the running back's entire suspension is upheld, he would then be barred from participating in any team activities, as of Sept. 2. In such a scenario, Elliott wouldn't be eligible to play until Week 8. While it's unclear as to how quickly a ruling in the matter will arrive, ESPN's Todd Archer relayed Friday that arbitrator Harold Henderson is expected to hand down his decision before Week 1. Elliott is expected to make his lone preseason appearance Saturday night against the Raiders, according to the Dallas News.

Artis-Payne rushed nine times for 37 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday's preseason game against the Jaguars.

Artis-Payne didn't get a carry until the second half -- featuring behind Fozzy Whittaker -- but he surely helped his case to retain a roster spot. His two touchdowns helped the Panthers clinch a one-point victory, which came after he led the team with five rushes for 70 yards and a score in Carolina's second preseason game. While Whittaker's varied skill set, which includes the ability to return kicks, makes him more likely to be active as the No. 3 running back throughout the season, Artis-Payne's preseason showings should help him stick on the final roster.

Drake (concussion) gained 21 yards on four carries and two yards on two catches in Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles.

Removed from the concussion protocol earlier in the week, Drake handled each of his six touches in Thursday's game during the second quarter. Damien Williams got a few snaps with the starters and took his first carry before Drake's, but Williams also had a couple of carries after halftime. There hasn't been a clear winner in the battle for the No. 2 job, and it's quite possible the Dolphins won't make any announcement to provide clarity. Regardless, the team seems to be preparing Jay Ajayi for an every-down role.

Williams lost one yard on four carries in Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles.

While the stat line obviously doesn't look good, Williams did mix in a bit with the first-team offense, and then got the first carry after Jay Ajayi left the game. That being said, Williams also had a couple carries in the second half, while Kenyan Drake got each of his six touches in the second quarter, gaining 21 yards on four carries and two yards on two catches. While there's been no clear winner in the battle for backup work, it's quite clear the Dolphins will keep Ajayi busy, marginalizing both Drake and Williams' importance so long as the starter stays healthy.

McCaffrey gained 21 yards on seven carries and 12 yards on one reception in Thursday's preseason game against Jacksonville.

While not as efficient as he was the past two weeks, McCaffrey encouragingly split work with Jonathan Stewart on the opening drive, finishing with five touches to the veteran's four during that series. The only disappointment was Carolina's failure to use the two backs on the field at the same time, with Russell Shepard appearing to get all of the first-team snaps at slot receiver. Even if packages involving both backs are very limited, the Panthers clearly are intent on keeping both McCaffrey and Stewart heavily involved in the offense. Stewart gained 39 yards on five carries, thanks to a 31-yard gain on a toss play on the first snap of the game

Murray (ankle) is expected to play in Sunday's preseason game against the 49ers, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Murray is on pace to make his awaited preseason debut in Minnesota on Sunday, having returned to practice earlier this week. Rookie second-rounder Dalvin Cook has an edge on the starting running back job, however, so Murray could be limited to a complementary role when Week 1 rolls around.

Rawls (ankle) will not play in Friday's preseason game against the Chiefs, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports.

Rawls' minor ankle issue will keep him sidelined for the Seahawks' dress rehearsal Friday, though coach Pete Carroll believes he could play if it were a regular-season contest. The team may elect to play it safe with Rawls next week as well, potentially ruling him out for the preseason finale against the Raiders in hopes of full health come Week 1.