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Knile Davis RB | PIT
Chiefs' Knile Davis: On the roster bubble
Davis is in danger of not making the final 53-man roster, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.
Once Jamal Charles (knee) returns to full health, Davis will assume the fourth spot on the Chiefs' death chart, leaving him on the bubble of making the Week 1 roster. However the 24-year-old has value in the kick return game, as he totaled 799 kick return yards last season along with one touchdown in the AFC Wild Card win over the Texans. Davis, who totaled a career-worst 72 yards on the ground last season, could be an attractive pickup for another team should the Chiefs decide to part ways.
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Ezekiel Elliott RB | LAC
Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott: Dozen snaps on tap Thursday
Elliott (hamstring) is slated to receive up to a dozen snaps in Thursday's preseason contest in Seattle, Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Elliott's first game action as a Cowboy is coming on the heels of three consecutive full practices. Of particular interest will be his usage, as reps on third down would substantiate the belief that he'll serve as a bell-cow back. At this point, though, emerging from the contest unscathed is the team's primary goal.
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Dwayne Washington RB | DEN
Lions' Dwayne Washington: In heated position battle
Washington is in direct competition with George Winn for one roster spot, MLive.com reports.
Following Stevan Ridley's release on Thursday, and with Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner cemented atop the depth chart, only Washington and Winn are left standing as candidates for the team's last running back job. As Detroit's seventh-round pick, Washington offers explosive kick return capabilities and a penchant for big plays. Winn, on the other hand, can contribute on special teams and has seemingly been a favorite of HC Jim Caldwell for some time. Both tailbacks figure to see plenty of action in the Lions' regular season dress rehearsal Saturday night, as the team prepares for roster cut-downs.
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Jonas Gray RB | JAC
Jonas Gray: Reaches injury settlement with Jaguars
Gray (quadriceps) was released from injured reserve after reaching an injury settlement with the Jaguars, Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports.
Gray was initially waived by Jacksonville last week and then placed on IR. Prior to injuring his leg, Gray faced an uphill battle to make the team, and it appears he wasn't a part of their future plans, so he and the Jaguars decided to part ways.
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Kenyan Drake RB | GB
Dolphins' Kenyan Drake: Won't play Thursday
Though Drake (hamstring) has returned to practice, he won't play Thursday against the Falcons, the Miami Herald reports. "It's a very lingering injury, especially in my case because it's the second one in a couple of months," Drake noted. "My kind of game, I need that burst. So until I feel like I have that burst, I'm not going to feel 100 percent."
With Jay Ajayi and Arian Foster atop the Dolphins' RB depth chart, Drake is off the short-term fantasy radar, and his hamstring issue hasn't helped his chances of making an early-season impact. Meanwhile, fellow RB Isaiah Pead is making a strong case to stick with the team, while Damien Williams and Daniel Thomas also remain in the team's backfield mix.
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Rob Kelley RB | NO
Redskins' Rob Kelley: Will receive first-team carries on Friday
Kelley is expected to get carries with the first-team offense during Friday's matchup with the Bills.
Aside from impressing the coaching staff so far this preseason, Kelley has been afforded the upcoming opportunity due to Matt Jones' second-degree AC sprain. Generally, the second-stringer would be next in line for reps, but Chris Thompson is best suited as a receiver in obvious passing situations. After Thompson, Kelly and seventh-round pick Keith Marshall are vying for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, which could thrust one or the other into a prominent position if Jones' injury lingers into the regular season.
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Matt Jones RB | WAS
Redskins' Matt Jones: Works on side Tuesday
Jones worked on the side at Tuesday's practice, CSN Mid-Atlantic reports. "It's feeling pretty good," he said of his left shoulder. "I'm moving fast in my healing process right now. I'm taking big strides."
There have been conflicting reports about the nature of the injury, ranging from an AC joint sprain to a "second degree separation," according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post. In fact, Jones, the running back, has been diagnosed with a second-degree AC sprain. While participation in practice is out of the question for the foreseeable future, his activity on a side field was more focused on his legs than the shoulder, which foretells that the injury is less severe than previously implied. Furthering that belief, he wasn't wearing a sling afterward or appear to be dealing with noticeable pain while sitting at his locker. When Jones was queried about his Week 1 availability, he said he'll "definitely" be available, but only time will tell whether he'll uphold that expectation.
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Aaron Green RB | DAL
Rams' Aaron Green: Will likely play Saturday
After sitting out of last week's win over the Chiefs, Green has returned to practice and will likely take the field Saturday against the Broncos, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
Green, an undrafted rookie free agent, impressed in his preseason debut as he racked up 64 yards and caught the winning touchdown against the Cowboys. The Rams total nine running backs on their roster, but factor in injuries and Tre Mason's bizarre disappearance and Green has a shot to make the 53-man roster if he continues his impactful play. The rookie could get less opportunities in Week 3 as the starters are poised to stay on the field longer, making every carry Green gets that much more valuable.
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Ameer Abdullah RB | JAC
Lions' Ameer Abdullah: Itching to play
Abdullah (shoulder) has expressed his desire to play in Detroit's third preseason game, Saturday against the Ravens, ESPN reports. "I mean, I just want to play," Abdullah said. "Just want to play at a full-speed game tempo. That's all it really is. I've been practicing. To play in a game setting, to get back used to playing in a game since I haven't played in a preseason game yet, that'd be cool."
Abdullah was incapable of playing in the Lions' first two preseason games, but has since shed the red no-contact jersey he donned for the majority of training camp in order to protect his surgically repaired shoulder. However, regardless as to whether he's granted his wish and actually does suit up Saturday, Abdullah remains firmly set to start Week 1 against the Colts. In question, though, is his role on special teams. The former Cornhusker led the NFL in kickoff-return yardage in 2015, but may be solely restrained to running back duties in 2016 as a means to prevent the second-year pro from popping up on the injury report over the course of the upcoming campaign.
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Thomas Rawls RB | JAC
Seahawks' Thomas Rawls: Will play in season opener
Head coach Pete Carroll professed Rawls (ankle) will not play in Seattle's third preseason game on Thursday but will be ready for the team's season opener Sep. 11 against Miami, Sports Radio KJR's Curtis Crabtree reports.
Rawls has been a full participant in every practice since rejoining the team on Sunday, and was able to increase his workload in each consecutive session. It's unclear whether he will see time in the Seahawks' preseason finale Sep. 1 in Oakland, though. But, as it stands, Rawls and Christine Michael seem set to spearhead Seattle's rushing attack entering the 2016 campaign.