NFL Player News

Estime carried the ball five times for 18 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-12 preseason win over the Cardinals. He also caught his only target for 14 yards.

The rookie running back got the start and saw a healthy workload on his only drive, capping it with a three-yard TD run. Estime appears to be heading into the season as Denver's No. 4 back behind Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin, none of whom played Sunday in the team's preseason finale. Despite that seemingly inhospitable role, Estime could have some fantasy value in 2024 if he becomes the Broncos' short-yardage and goal-line specialist.

Miller (hamstring) did not play in Sunday's 30-27 preseason loss to the Titans.

Miller has now missed all three preseason games for the Saints since suffering a hamstring injury July 24. With his absence now extending about a full month, it appears likely that the 2023 third-rounder could start the regular season on IR. His case was not helped by the fact that New Orleans' starters did not play Sunday, allowing backup running backs Jordan Mims and Jacob Kibodi to combine for 17 rushes for 92 yards while taking the bulk of the team's carries. Even if Miller is not placed on IR for the first four games, his lack of availability may mean he'll vie for the third running back spot behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.

Jones will not return to Sunday's preseason game against Denver due to a shoulder injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Jones sustained the injury in the second quarter of Sunday's game, and he'll finish the contest with seven carries for 29 yards and two catches for 14 yards. Hassan Hall should see most, if not all, of the carries in the second half, per Urban.

Spears rushed four times for 12 yards and caught his only target for 12 yards in Sunday's 30-27 preseason win over the Saints.

Spears watched Tony Pollard play the opening drive and score a one-yard rushing touchdown before checking in for the second possession. While Spears played most of the second drive with the first-team offense, the Titans opted to put Pollard back in for a fourth-and-1, and Pollard rewarded that decision with a 14-yard catch to extend the possession. Spears also got a couple reps with second-string quarterback Mason Rudolph on the third drive, and his lone reception came on a pass from Rudolph. The team's decisions to start Pollard and bring the veteran free-agent signing in for a key fourth-down situation suggest Spears is running behind in Tennessee's backfield timeshare heading into the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Bears, but both running backs are expected to play prominent roles as the Titans begin the post-Derrick Henry era.

Pollard rushed five times for 17 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 30-27 preseason win over the Saints.

Pollard got all six touches in Tennessee's backfield on the opening drive, the last of which was a one-yard touchdown run. Tyjae Spears got the first three carries on the second possession while the rest of the first-team offense remained in the game, but Pollard checked back in to pick up a 14-yard catch on fourth-and-1. Pollard and Spears are set to share backfield duties in the regular season, which begins Sunday, Sept. 8 in Chicago, with the former Cowboys running back likely to have an edge in playing time based on their deployment in Sunday's dress rehearsal.

The Rams waived Thompson on Sunday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

After being without a team for the offseason, Thompson managed to catch on with the Rams on Thursday. He rushed for six yards on three carries in Saturday's preseason game against Houston. Thompson will explore other options assuming he clears waivers.

Colts coach Shane Steichen said Sunday that he's hopeful for Sermon (hamstring) to return to practice next week, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

Sermon has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during the preseason opener Aug. 11, and he missed Thursday's 27-14 win in the exhibition finale against Cincinnati. Steichen's phrasing seems to indicate that the 25-year-old might return in the week immediately leading up to Indianapolis' season opener against the Texans on Sunday, Sept. 8. Sermon stretched with his teammates ahead of Sunday's practice, though he still wasn't in uniform, according to Bremer. When he's healthy, Sermon is considered to be the leading candidate to slot in as the No. 2 running back behind Jonathan Taylor. The former's lingering injury could leave a chance for either Evan Hull or Tyler Goodson to step in behind Taylor in Week 1.

The Buccaneers waived Jefferson on Sunday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Jefferson signed with the Bucs in May as an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky. He appeared in all three preseason games, accumulating 13 rushing yards on seven carries and three catches for 31 yards. Jefferson will likely go unclaimed off waivers, after which he'll look to catch on with a team's practice squad.

The Rams released Scott on Sunday, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.

Scott signed with the Rams in April after spending the first six years of his career in Philadelphia, where he primarily played as a third-down back. The 29-year-old's playing time hit a career low during his final campaign with the Eagles, tallying just 20 carries for 86 yards across 15 regular-season appearances. He also dealt with a minor leg injury this preseason, though he had strong showings in all three of the Rams' preseason contests. Nevertheless, it appears he was left on the outside looking in, as, according to Schultz, the Rams plan to stick with three running backs for the regular season. This should leave Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans as the likely candidates to back up Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Scott should now look to land as a reserve running back elsewhere ahead of the regular season.

The Giants waived Lingard on Sunday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Lingard signed with the Giants on Aug. 12 after being let go by the Jaguars in early August. He rushed for 13 yards on two carries in the Giants' second preseason game against the Texans, but he did not record a carry in Saturday's contest against the Jets. Lingard will be on the lookout for new opportunities should he clear waivers.