NFL Player News

Stevenson (undisclosed) didn't play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Giants.

Stevenson, who has been managing an unspecified injury that isn't viewed as significant, sported a non-contact jersey in his return to practice this week, per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, but there's nothing to suggests that his Week 1 status is in any danger. Added clarity in that regard will arrive no later than the Patriots' first official injury/practice report, but as the coming season approaches Stevenson is set to reprise his key role in a backfield that also includes dynamic 2025 second-rounder TreVeyon Henderson, along with fellow returnee Antonio Gibson. Though Henderson remains the upside play from a fantasy standpoint and figures to cut into Stevenson's volume this season, there should be enough touches, in an offense that could lean toward the run, for both players to carry weekly fantasy lineup utility.

The Commanders likely will trade or release Brian Robinson, leaving Ekeler to split backfield work with some combination of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the New York Times.

The decision to move on from Robinson hints at confidence in Washington's backfield alternatives, although Robinson's non-guaranteed $3.4 million salary is also a factor. It remains to be seen if Ekeler will capture some of the work that went to Robinson last season, as there's been talk of Croskey-Merritt potentially getting a lot of carries and Rodriguez taking short-yardage work. Ekeler averaged 4.8 yards on 77 carries and 10.5 yards on 35 catches in the regular season last year, but he missed five games with injuries and fumbled three times (later fumbling a fourth time during the NFC Championship Game).

Giddens is on track for the No. 2 running back role, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder.

Giddens worked ahead of Tyler Goodson in the Colts' second preseason game, even taking a handful of first-team snaps, while Goodson only played with the backups (and then left early due to a shoulder injury). Khalil Herbert (undisclosed) was already unavailable, and Giddens then furthered his case for the backup role by taking six carries for 28 yards. It's still possible the Colts defer to experience and enter Week 1 with Goodson as their No. 2 RB, but Giddens should have a chance to move up soon enough even if he starts off third in the pecking order. That said, there's no real hope for Year 1 fantasy value without workhorse Jonathan Taylor missing time.

Harris (eye) has ramped up his workload of late, with Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh recently saying that the running back feels better with each passing day, Eric Smith of chargers.com reports.

Harris remains on the non-football injury list, limited to individual/rehab work and still not ready to practice with teammates. That's an obvious concern for his Week 1 availability with the start of the season less than three weeks away, but it does at least seem like the Chargers expect him to contribute at some point this season. Harris suffered a fireworks accident earlier this summer, keeping him out for all of training camp and leaving rookie Omarion Hampton without serious competition for first-team work this summer. Harris will be ineligible for Weeks 1-4 if the Chargers don't activate him from the NFI list by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Thursday that Rodriguez could be the team's goal-line back, although Quinn also commented that the team won't necessarily have traditional backfield roles, Commanders writer Ben Standig reports.

With Brian Robinson reportedly on the trade block and perhaps even at risk of being released, there's been a lot of recent discussion about what Washington's backfield might look like. Austin Ekeler is the safest bet for snaps and touches, but he's unlikely to handle a huge workload, leaving paths for Rodriguez, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and/or Jeremy McNichols to get involved. Most of the fantasy discussion has centered on Croskey-Merritt this summer, but Rodriguez got the start alongside QB Jayden Daniels in Washington's second preseason game and promptly broke off a 40-yard run on the opening drive. Croskey-Merritt then came on for the second series, while Ekeler was held out and McNichols played later on. A three-way committee between Ekeler, Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt is the most likely outcome for Week 1 against the Giants, regardless of various judgements and opinions on how things might play out from there. Rodriguez is worthy of a fantasy bench spot in most leagues while we wait to see just how things play out in Washington's backfield.

Etienne took three carries for 26 yards and saw three incomplete targets in Thursday's 19-10 preseason loss to Pittsburgh.

With Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle rested, Etienne got the start and broke free for a 28-yard gain on his first run. He got stuffed on his other two carries, however, and didn't have any luck on his targets. Etienne likely will enter Week 1 as Carolina's No. 3 running back, but the fourth-round pick could reasonably challenge Dowdle for the second spot on the depth chart this year.

Skattebo took three carries for 12 yards in Thursday's 42-10 preseason win over the Patriots.

Making his preseason debut after a hamstring injury cost him a few weeks, Skattebo got the start on a night when Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary were among the many players rested. Skattebo played the first two drives and gained four yards on each of his three carries before calling it a night. Tracy appears to be the starter for Week 1 against Washington, with both Skattebo and Singletary candidates for roles off the bench. All the missed time during training camp and the preseason killed any chance Skattebo might've had to push Tracy for the lead role Week 1.

Johnson took five carries for 24 yards and one catch for two yards in Thursday's 19-10 preseason win over the Panthers.

Johnson came in at the start of the third drive, after Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell were done playing (but before the first-string offensive linemen were removed). The rookie had gains of seven and eight yards on his carries behind the starting O-line, and he didn't play at all after halftime. It was a nice finish to the preseason, with back-to-back solid outings after struggling in Pittsburgh's opener, but Johnson won't necessarily have a large role come Week 1 against the Jets. That doesn't mean he won't be a key part of the offense as the season progresses, but there's risk of a three-man committee initially, with Warren presumably starting and Gainwell seemingly on track for at least a small role.

Warren started Thursday's 19-10 preseason win over Carolina, taking two carries for three yards and two catches for 12 yards.

Warren and Kenneth Gainwell rotated on the first two drives before handing things over to rookie Kaleb Johnson, who took five carries for 24 yards. It's possible all three running backs have roles come Week 1 against the Jets, but Warren is at least the favorite to start and thus the safest fantasy play among the trio (for now).

Blackshear (ankle) is questionable to return to Thursday's preseason contest against the Steelers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Blackshear sustained an ankle injury in the third quarter, which could bring his night to an early end. The running back logged 11 carries for 35 yards, while also catching both of his targets for eight yards prior to his departure.