NFL Player News

  • British Brooks RB | HOU

    Texans' British Brooks: Scores twice late

    Brooks rushed for 23 yards and two touchdowns on five carries in Saturday's preseason game against the Giants.

    Just like the first preseason game, all of Brooks' activity came in the fourth quarter, which holds more meaning than the two touchdowns. The undrafted free agent out of North Carolina is unlikely to make the roster but could hook on as a member of the practice squad.

  • Dillon Johnson RB | CAR

    Panthers' Dillon Johnson: Shines vs. Jets

    Johnson rushed 18 times for 83 yards and one touchdown while also hauling in each of his two targets for zero yards during Saturday's 15-12 preseason loss to the Jets.

    Each of Carolina's top three running backs sat for the second straight preseason game Saturday, allowing Johnson to make the most of his increased opportunities. The undrafted rookie out of Washington averaged an efficient 4.6 yards per carry Saturday, which likely boosts his chances of making Carolina's 53-man roster. While Johnson is still comfortably behind Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders and Raheem Blackshear, he has a shot at remaining in Carolina if he continues performing at a high level.

  • Titans' Julius Chestnut: Heavy workload against Seahawks

    Chestnut rushed the ball 13 times for 45 yards in Saturday's 16-15 preseason win over the Seahawks. He added two receptions (on two targets) for 29 yards.

    The Titans sat both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, leaving Hassan Haskins and Chestnut as the top backs available. Chestnut was utilized as the starter and carried a heavy workload. The majority of his yardage came on a 22-yard rush late in the second quarter, though he also led off the team's first possession with a 15-yard reception. Chestnut could begin the season third on the running back depth chart, but that won't translate to much work out of the backfield.

  • Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Returns from injury Saturday

    Demercado (shoulder) had 10 carries for 24 yards and caught his lone target for nine yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Colts.

    Demercado returned from a shoulder injury that held him out of last week's exhibition tilt. The sophomore tailback entered the game in the second quarter behind rookie Trey Benson (9-43-0), but it could have been the coaching staff easing Demercado off the shelf as opposed to a demotion from his projected No. 2 role behind James Conner. Next week's preseason finale should be telling based on how the backup RBs are deployed.

  • Royce Freeman RB | CHI

    Cowboys' Royce Freeman: Solid showing in win

    Freeman (groin) rushed seven times for 32 yards in the Cowboys' 27-12 preseason win over the Raiders on Saturday night.

    Freeman was able to suit up after having suffered a groin injury earlier in the month, and he finished second in rushing yardage after coming into the game behind starter Malik Davis. Freeman should have a solid chance of securing the No. 3 running back job given his experience, as well as the fact Davis didn't exactly impress with his starting opportunity Saturday (five carries, 14 yards).

  • Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Unremarkable with six touches

    Mattison rushed five times for 15 yards and secured one of two targets for six yards in the Raiders' 27-12 preseason loss to the Cowboys on Saturday night. He also returned one kickoff for 23 yards.

    Mattison worked as the second running back in behind Zamir White, a hierarchy that's expected to be mirrored during the regular season. Mattison shouldn't need any additional reps to get ready for the regular season and will be a valuable complementary presence, so he's likely to sit out of the Raiders' preseason finale against the 49ers on Friday night.

  • Zach Evans RB | NYJ

    Rams' Zach Evans: Hefty workload in spot start

    Evans gained 62 yards on 16 rushing attempts in Saturday's preseason win over the Chargers.

    Evans received the first running back touch for the Rams on Saturday, but he was far less efficient on a per-carry basis (3.9 yards) compared to veteran backup Boston Scott. The latter ripped off 55 yards on just 10 carries as the Rams rested the trio of RBs ahead Scott and Evans on LA's depth chart. Neither of the tailbacks competing for a remaining roster spot received a target in the exhibition win.

  • Zamir White RB | LV

    Raiders' Zamir White: Garners chunk gain Saturday

    White rushed four times for 23 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Raiders' 27-12 preseason loss to the Cowboys on Saturday night.

    White drew the start and put together what appears to be a fine rushing line on the surface, but it's worth noting 17 of his yards came on his first carry. Nevertheless, the third-year back is primed to open the season as the Raiders' No. 1 option in the ground game, though offseason addition Alexander Mattison is talented enough to serve as a threat if White struggles in the role.

  • Kene Nwangwu RB | NYJ

    Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Another strong preseason game

    Nwangwu had seven carries for 45 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Cleveland.

    Even with the Vikings resting almost all their starters, Nwangwu had a second impressive preseason performance. Nwangwu has had a role in the offense as the No. 3 running back in training camp and looks to have locked up the job at this point in the preseason. While he's not likely to get many carries behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, Nwangwu at least looks like a viable option should the top two get hurt. However, it's not clear if he'll return kickoffs as he hasn't been used as a returner in either preseason game after having that role last season.

  • Myles Gaskin RB | SEA

    Vikings' Myles Gaskin: Has 45 yards rushing in preseason win

    Gaskin had nine carries for 45 yards and two receptions for 10 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Cleveland.

    Gaskin showed he can be a steady veteran as a reserve running back, but he may face an uphill battle to win a roster spot. The Vikings are likely to keep just three running backs with Kene Nwangwu currently ahead of Gaskin on the depth chart.

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