NFL Player News

Thomas gained 40 yards on 10 carries and totaled seven yards on two receptions in Friday's 27-10 preseason victory over the Giants.

The veteran tailback made a solid return to the team he spent 2011-2014 with, likely benefiting from fresh legs after not having played in the NFL in 2015. Thomas remains a long shot to make the final roster given the ample competition at the running back position, but Friday's effort certainly served as a point in his favor.

Pead gained 50 yards on 10 rushes and lost three yards on his sole catch in Friday's 27-10 preseason victory over the Giants.

Fighting for a backup tailback spot, Pead made a strong first impression in a Dolphins uniform. The fourth-year back was essentially out of football last season after tallying only two carries between stints with the Rams and Steelers. Pead's highlight of the night was a 26-yard rumble on the first posession of the second half, a run in which he started right, cut back to the middle of the field, and put on a nifty spin move that allowed him to gain about 15 extra yards. The 26-year-old has a legitimate opportunity to latch on to a roster spot on a Dolphins squad that is still trying to settle its running back corps.

Atkinson led Oakland with 97 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on just five carries in Friday's preseason win over the Cardinals.

Atkinson did nearly all of his damage on just two runs, as he broke outside for a 53-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter and followed up with a 35-yard score in the fourth. Latavius Murray is the unquestioned starter, and Atkinson mainly faces competition for the top backup job from rookie DeAndre Washington, who racked up 74 total yards of his own. With this eye-opening performance, however, Atkinson will likely have the opportunity to showcase his skills a bit more as the preseason moves along.

Asiata had two carries for nine yards in Friday's preseason win over the Bengals.

Asiata enters the season third on the depth chart at running back and may not have much of a role as long as Adrian Peterson and Jerick McKinnon are healthy.

McKinnon (back) had five carries for 14 yards and two receptions for 10 yards in Friday's preseason win over the Bengals.

McKinnon has mised practice time the past week or so with a sore back, but his appearance in a preseason game would appear to indicate it's not a major concern. McKinnon could have a larger role in the passing game this season and perhaps become the team's third-down back.

Rawls (ankle) will not play in Saturday's preseason game against the Chiefs.

Rawls passed a physical last week and was subsequently removed from the PUP list, but he's still being eased back into action at practice, and there was never any expectation he'd be ready for the first preseason game. While the Seahawks would probably prefer that he at least get a bit of run at some point before the end of the preseason, the real goal is to ensure that he doesn't have any setbacks before Week 1.

West had nine carries for 25 yards and two touchdowns, adding one catch for seven yards, in Thursday's preseason opener against the Panthers.

The Ravens held out a healthy Justin Forsett, allowing the team to get an extended look at West, Javorius Allen and Kenneth Dixon in the first half. All three running backs had their moments, continuing a battle that's been the talk of camp. West is making a strong case to earn a roster spot, even though Forsett, Allen and Dixon are all considered locks. It increasingly seems the Ravens could be headed for a committee situation in the backfield, regardless of how the depth chart shakes out before Week 1.

Artis-Payne finished with five carries for 10 yards in Thursday's preseason opener against the Ravens.

Artis-Payne enters his second season as the presumptive favorite to earn Carolina's backup running back job, but Fozzy Whittaker and fullback Mike Tolbert saw the first couple carries out of the backfield in Jonathan Stewart's (rest) absence Thursday. That being said, Artis-Payne was still handed the ball twice on the Panthers' first drive, so he was involved with the starters for the brief time they were on the field. Although his production was expectedly limited for the first preseason game, it'll be interesting to monitor how Artis-Payne performs in the three remaining exhibition tilts.

Rodgers had two carries for five yards while securing both of his pass targets for 23 yards Thursday against the Broncos.

Rodgers entered the game with the second-string offense after Jeremy Langford functioned as the starter. With the offensive line struggling, Brian Hoyer was running for his life, but was able to dump off the ball to Rodgers on a pair of occasions to keep the team from suffering additional negative plays. Unless the line can improve on their pass protection during the preseason, it's possible that he'll be needed to help protect Jay Cutler while offering a pair of sure hands out of the backfield. Earlier in the week, the coaching staff was talking up the veteran running back, and he's now looking like he truly is in competition with the team's other running backs for passing-down duties.

Anderson had two carries for eight yards in Thursday's preseason game against the Bears.

Anderson only played one drive before giving way to Ronnie Hillman, who had three carries for 13 yards. Fourth-round rookie Devontae Booker came in next, running four times for 11 yards. Anderson seems to have the lead-back job locked up, but Hillman and Booker could both be involved to some extent.