NFL Player News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Drake (hamstring) returned to practice as a limited participant Tuesday, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

Drake will have to battle throughout the remainder of the preseason for a spot in the team's backfield, with Arian Foster and Jay Ajayi leading the way while Isaiah Pead has made a strong case for the No. 3 spot. The Dolphins' next preseason contest is Thursday, but Drake isn't a certain candidate to make an appearance yet.

Coach Jason Garrett expects Elliott (hamstring) to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Seahawks, ESPN's Todd Archer reports.

Elliott, who suffered a hamstring injury back on Aug. 2, has participated in three straight full practices, which sets the stage for the highly-touted rookie's preseason debut. It remains to be seen how much action Elliott will see Thursday, but he remains firmly atop the Cowboys' RB depth chart and clearly possesses the highest upside of any member of the team's backfield, which is rounded out by Darren McFadden (who is dealing with an elbow injury), Alfred Morris, and Lance Dunbar, who recently came off the team's PUP list.

The Patriots released Brown (hamstring) with an injury settlement, the Boston Herald reports.

Brown has missed three weeks of practice and the injury settlement suggests that the veteran back is dealing with a lingering injury. Either way, with Dion Lewis set to miss time, the move leaves the likes of Tyler Gaffney, D.J. Foster and Joey Iosefa competing for roster slotting in the New England backfield behind LeGarrette Blount, James White and Brandon Bolden.