NFL Player News

Perine is unlikely to push Rob Kelley out of the starting lineup anytime soon, Rich Tandler of CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

Perine had plenty of hype ahead of training camp, but he's reportedly looked the part of a rookie at practice, leading up to Thursday's poor showing in the preseason opener against Baltimore. In addition to gaining only 15 yards on six carries, Perine fumbled, dropped a pass and struggled in pass protection. Kelley didn't have any luck on the ground, but he at least avoided the major mistakes that shaped the rookie's night. While he still has time to push for some kind of workload, Perine seemingly has already proven he isn't ready to challenge Kelly for the starting job.

Draughn (ankle) intensified his rehab this week, but he's still falling behind Orleans Darkwa in the competition for a roster spot, NJ.com's Dan Duggan reports.

Coming off summer ankle surgery, the 29-year-old journeyman has already missed the first two weeks of training camp and presumably won't be available any sooner than the third or fourth week of the preseason. With Paul Perkins, Shane Vereen (leg) and fourth-round rookie Wayne Gallman all expected to make the team, Draughn is left to compete with Darkwa for one spot, which may come down to special teams value. It isn't clear if Draughn will be available at any point during training camp to make his case.

Elliott may be suspended as many as six games, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.

Take this speculative report with a grain of salt, but clarity on any potential league discipline for Elliott could arrive on Friday. However, the fact that both Slater and NFL Network colleague Ian Rapoport of NFL Network mentioned six games as a "benchmark" means the first-round running back may receive a longer punishment than initially expected. At least most fantasy drafters will have time to tell whether Elliott will be kept out for a significant chunk of the season, which will heavily influence his draft-day price. Darren McFadden stands to serve as lead back for the Cowboys for however long Elliott might sit.

Cunningham rushed for 41 yards on seven carries and a touchdown while also catching both of his two targets for 25 yards during Thursday's preseason opener against Denver.

While Cunningham is currently buried on the depth chart, he proved to be a capable third-down back with pass-catching ability through the past four seasons with the Rams. He probably has a steep uphill climb to fantasy value, but Cunningham's experience should land him a spot on Chicago's 53-man roster to begin the season.

Kelley had three carries for two yards and caught his lone target for a five-yard gain in Thursday's preseason opener against Baltimore.

Kelley got the start and clearly worked ahead of Samaje Perine, who had six carries for 15 yards with a dropped pass and a fumble. It was a rough night for the rookie, who hopes to push Kelley for early down work in an offense also featuring pass-catching specialist Chris Thompson. Despite having a slow night himself, Kelley moved a step closer to locking down the Week 1 starting job.

Perine had six carries for 15 yards and dropped his lone target in Thursday's preseason opener against the Ravens.

Perine fumbled on the snap preceding his dropped pass, though he at least managed to recover the ball. Clearly working behind Rob Kelley and Chris Thompson, the rookie did nothing on the ground to improve his standing, and to make matters worse, Perine also struggled in pass protection, according to ESPN.com's John Keim. Perine still has time to push for a role, but Thursday's performance supports the notion that Kelley is a favorite for the Week 1 starting gig.

West had five carries for 23 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's preseason opener against Washington.

West was targeted on Baltimore's first offensive snap and later finished the team's third drive with three consecutive carries for 18, zero and two yards, with the last going for a score. Javorius Allen also got work on that series, but he wasn't efficient and isn't nearly the threat to West that a healthy Kenneth Dixon (knee) would've been. West should have a sizable leash in the lead role this year, albeit with Danny Woodhead handling most of the pass catching.

Grant rushed eight times for 120 yards and a touchdown and wasn't targeted in the passing game during Thursday's preseason opener at New England.

Grant eclipsed the production of Leonard Fournette, Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon combined on his first touch of the game, taking Jacksonville's first offensive play of the second half the distance for a 79-yard touchdown. His other seven totes weren't bad, either, as he still averaged 5.9 yards per carry when factoring out the long touchdown. The 25-year-old running back out of Auburn notched 122 yards in last season's finale and could challenge the aforementioned trio for playing time if he continues churning out performances of this caliber.

Kamara gained 35 yards on four carries in Thursday's 20-14 preseason loss to the Browns.

Though Kamara finished fourth on the team in carries, he led the way with a healthy 8.8 yards per carry and ripped off an impressive 22-yard gain at one point. He seems unlikely to usurp significant playing time from Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingrahm this season, but Kamara could leapfrog Travaris Cadet and Daniel Lasco in the pecking order if he delivers more performance such as this in the future.

Magee carried four times for 15 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 20-14 preseason win over the Saints.

Magee received the most carries behind starter Isaiah Crowell in this one, plunging into the end zone from a yard out early in the fourth quarter. Rookie Matthew Dayes tallied nine yards and a touchdown of his own on three carries, and is likely Magee's chief competition for the third spot on the running back depth chart behind Crowell and Duke Johnson.