NFL Player News

Michael finished with 58 yards on seven carries against the Cowboys Thursday night, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Michael has 157 yards on 24 carries this preseason (6.5 YPC.) At this point, he's shown enough that even if Thomas Rawls proves 100 percent healthy, there's likely to be some kind of timeshare on early downs. And if Rawls has a setback with his ankle, Michael has major upside.

Rawls' teammate Christine Michael has looked fantastic this preseason.

Rawls was great last year as a rookie and is ostensibly still the team's starting back. But given he's returning from an ankle injury and Michael has looked so good this preseason, there has to be some concern about the potential for a timeshare on early downs.

Gillislee (concussion) will be held out of Friday's game against Washington.

Buffalo's injury attrition throughout training camp has led the coaching staff to be extra cautious for Friday's game as Gillislee joins a lengthy list of inactive players for Friday. With Gillislee and LeSean McCoy sitting out, Reggie Bush, Jonathan Williams and James Wilder all figure to see a bump in carries.

Mostert (hamstring) is unlikely to play Friday against Tampa Bay, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The speedster out of Purdue has been slowed by a hamstring injury of late. His absence will primarily be felt on special teams Friday, but reserves such as Glenn Winston, Rajion Neal, and Jahwan Edwards could all see some carries in the second half with Mostert sitting.

Pead suffered a hamstring injury Thursday but it is believed to be minor, Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post reports.

According to Lieser, Pead could have to returned to action Thursday if it were a regular season game. However, given that it was a preseason game, the Dolphins took the cautious route and held out Pead for the remainder of the game after he injured his hamstring. Pead only had one carry for one yard Thursday, but he was solid as a pass catcher out of the backfield as he caught all three of his targets for 14 yards. He figures to return to practice in the near future.

Williams gained 17 yards and scored a touchdown on five carries while securing both of his targets for two yards in Thursday's 17-6 preseason victory over the Falcons.

The reserve back actually outgained both Arian Foster and Jay Ajayi on the ground, while getting into the end zone for the second straight week. Williams should once again fill a complementary role in the backfield in 2016 if he survives final cuts, after having played in all 16 games in each of his first two Dolphins seasons. With some serviceable receiving skills, the OU product offers some third-down value in particular.

Wilds suffered a knee injury Thursday and did not return, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports.

The rookie running back suffered the injury late in Thursday's contest, so the fact that he did not return does not necessarily mean that he's dealing with anything serious. Still, any additional missed time for Wilds could be problematic for a running back fighting for a roster spot with cuts looming. Prior to leaving the game, Wilds actually led the Falcons in rushing Thursday, taking three carries for 11 yards against a Dolphins defense that allowed just 31 yards on the ground.

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.

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.

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.