NFL Player News

Hightower gained 27 yards on eight carries and eight yards on one reception in Friday's preseason loss to the Steelers.

Hightower was the fourth Saints running back to get a touch, as the team's early game plan included a bunch of short passes to C.J. Spiller and Travaris Cadet. No matter, Hightower is expected to serve as Mark Ingram's top backup, though the role probably won't include work on passing downs, which was part of his appeal late last season. In the event of an Ingram injury, both Hightower and Spiller would likely get more work.

Toussaint gained eight yards on six carries and 18 yards on two catches (two targets) in Friday's preseason game against the Saints.

Toussaint didn't get any touches until the fourth quarter, after Daryl Richardson dominated the third-quarter workload. Richardson failed to pull away in the battle for the No. 3 running back job, gaining just 20 yards on nine carries and four yards on one reception. It's still unclear which player will serve as the top backup to DeAngelo Williams while Le'Veon Bell serves a three-game suspension to start the season. Bell's impending absence does mean that both Toussaint and Richardson could make the final roster.

Richardson gained 20 yards on nine carries and four yards on one catch (one target) in Friday's preseason game against the Saints.

After Le'Veon Bell (suspension) and DeAngelo Williams played the first half, Richardson handled the third quarter and then split work with Fitzgerald Toussaint in the fourth quarter. No clear winner emerged in the battle for the No. 3 running back spot, as Toussaint was also ineffective on the ground, gaining eight yards on six carries and 18 yards on two receptions (two targets). With Bell suspended for the first three games, the Steelers may keep both Toussaint and Richardson on the final roster, extending the audition period through Week 3.

Herron gained 17 yards on five carries and 49 yards on five receptions (five targets) in Friday's preseason loss to Washington.

With LeSean McCoy (coach's decision) and Mike Gillislee (concussion) unavailable, Herron worked behind Reggie Bush and Jonathan Williams but ahead of James Wilder. Despite showing off his prowess as a receiver, Herron seemingly has little shot to make the final roster, as McCoy and Bush are perfectly adept pass-catchers. Herron could eventually draw interest from a team that loses its passing-down back to an injury.

Wilder had six carries for 21 yards in Friday's preseason game against Washington.

Even with Karlos Williams released, LeSean McCoy sitting out, and Mike Gillislee (concussion) unavailable, Wilder was only the fourth Buffalo running back to get work, trailing Reggie Bush, Jonathan Williams and Dan Herron. Unless Gillislee is still injured as the season approaches, Wilder appears unlikely to make the final roster.

Williams, who finished off Friday's preseason game with 11 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown but left with a rib injury, tested out fine after the game, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

The rookie should end up making the team, but right now he seems to be behind Mike Gillislee and Reggie Bush in terms of likely role size behind LeSean McCoy. Things can change quickly, though, and Williams' prospects did take a jump in the last week when the team rid itself of Karlos Williams.

The NFL will apparently not further investigate Elliott's visit to a marijuana dispensary prior to Thursday's preseason game in Seattle, ESPN's Ed Werder reports.

Marijuana is legal in Washington state, so the rookie apparently stopped into a dispensary to look around Wednesday night without making any purchases. Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones said the visit "wasn't good," but Elliott apparently won't receive anything other than a tongue-lashing from his boss over the incident. Given the league's (arguably archaic) stance on pot use and the fact that three of Elliott's teammates are currently suspended for violations of the NFL's drug policy though, he's now likely on their radar for further scrutiny at the very least.

Watson rushed for nine yards on five carries during Friday's loss to Tampa Bay.

With Raheem Mostert (hamstring) on the sideline, Watson had a shot at proving he deserved to be the Browns' No. 3 running back, but after an underwhelming performance, the depth chart is unlikely to be altered. The 23-year-old has rushed for 52 yards on 14 carries so far this preseason, but it might not be enough to make the final roster.

Kelley gained 51 yards on 12 carries and lost one yard on his only reception (one target) in Friday's preseason game against the Bills.

With Matt Jones (shoulder) and Chris Thompson (shoulder/knee) absent, Kelley got the start and was expected to split first-team snaps with Keith Marshall. The plan changed when Marshall suffered a sprained elbow on his first carry, allowing Kelley to play nearly every snap before halftime. While the undrafted rookie didn't have an overly impressive stat line, the combination of his competent showing and Marshall's injury may have decided the battle for the No. 3 running back job. With Jones uncertain for Week 1 and Thompson mostly used on passing downs, the winner of said battle may have to lead the Washington rushing attack early in the season. The team may also consider adding a veteran free agent, and it's worth noting that Jones expects to be ready for Week 1.

Artis-Payne gained 28 yards on nine carries and 12 yards on one reception (one target) in Friday's preseason game against the Patriots.

Artis-Payne was far better than his stat line suggests, bouncing off would-be tacklers to provide one of the few bright spots for an otherwise toothless Carolina offense. He got all of his touches while most of the starters were still in the game, clearly working ahead of Fozzy Whittaker and Brandon Wegher. While both figure to make the roster, Artis-Payne seems to be ahead of Whittaker in the battle to serve as Jonathan Stewart's top backup. Whittaker did get a bit more playing time with the starters through the first two weeks of the preseason, but he mostly seems to be an option for passing downs, as he's only taken four carries for three yards in three exhibition appearances. Artis-Payne is the preferred Stewart handcuff.