NFL Player News
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Kenneth Walker III RB | KC
Seahawks' Kenneth Walker: Rested through two preseason games
Walker did not participate in Saturday's 16-15 preseason loss to the Titans.
Walker has not taken the field for either of Seattle's first two preseason games, which doesn't come as much surprise given that he's projected to serve as the lead back in Seattle. He could cede some touches to Zach Charbonnet (undisclosed) on obvious passing downs in 2024, but Walker looks to be in a strong position to top 200 carries for the third time in as many pro seasons.
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De'Von Achane RB | MIA
Dolphins' De'Von Achane: Efficient showing in preseason win
Achane rushed twice for 10 yards and secured two of three targets for 34 yards in the Dolphins' 13-6 preseason win over the Commanders on Saturday night.
The second-year back took his first carry with 7:29 remaining in the first quarter and played a total of three possessions. Achane recorded chunk gains of seven yards on the ground and eight and 26 yards through the air, flashing the signature explosiveness that made him a rookie sensation in 2023. Achane already appears in regular-season form, but it remains to be seen if he'll have a chance to garner a few more touches in Friday night's road preseason finale against the Buccaneers.
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Kenny McIntosh RB | SEA
Seahawks' Kenny McIntosh: Makes case to stick as third RB
McIntosh rushed the ball eight times for 46 yards in Saturday's 16-15 preseason loss to the Titans. He added two receptions (on two targets) for 17 yards.
McIntosh is reportedly being pushed for the third spot on the depth chart by George Holani, though he got the better end of that competition Saturday. With Kenneth Walker resting and Zach Charbonnet (undisclosed) unavailable, McIntosh got the first touch out of the backfield and also led the team in both attempts and rushing yards. In addition to the volume, McIntosh showed some impressive physicality and had a long gain of 12 yards on the ground while also tacking on a 10-yard reception.
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Raheem Mostert RB | LV
Dolphins' Raheem Mostert: Five touches in preseason win
Mostert rushed five times for seven yards in the Dolphins' 13-6 preseason win over the Commanders on Saturday night.
After the Dolphins opened with back-to-back passing plays on their first drive, Mostert took three straight carries and netted six yards. The veteran back would continue alternating with De'Von Achane for the remainder of the opening possession but only gained one additional yard on his final two totes, and Saturday's cameo appearance could well be the extent of Mostert's preseason action given his age and the fact there's only one exhibition remaining.
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Chuba Hubbard RB | CAR
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Cleared for practice
Coach Dave Canales said after Saturday's 15-12 preseason loss to the Jets that Hubbard's knee checked out, and the running back will return to practice this week, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Hubbard has yet to play through two exhibitions, but his absence Saturday stemmed from a knee injury that he sustained during Thursday's joint practice with the Jets. Fortunately for the RB, he'll be able to mix into drills in the near future, and once he does he should be Carolina's No. 1 backfield option to begin the upcoming season due to second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks' continued recovery from a torn ACL that he suffered back in November.
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Jabari Small RB | DET
Titans' Jabari Small: Undergoing concussion check
Small is being evaluated for a concussion during Saturday's preseason matchup against the Seahawks, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.
Small headed to the locker room in the second half of the exhibition game and is being looked at by doctors. Prior to his departure, he rushed seven times for 13 yards and caught four of four targets for 24 yards. Small is considered a long shot make the Titans' 53-man roster.
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D'Onta Foreman RB | CLE
Browns' D'Onta Foreman: Big workload against Vikes
Foreman carried the ball 10 times for 18 yards and a touchdown and caught all five of his targets for 46 yards in Saturday's 27-12 preseason loss to the Vikings. He also returned one kickoff for 21 yards.
Foreman was not part of the starting lineup, but he did enter on the opening series once the Browns reached the red zone and punched in a one-yard TD to cap the drive. With Jerome Ford sitting out and Nick Chubb (knee) not ready for game action yet, Pierre Strong got the start Saturday in the Cleveland backfield and played only two series before checking out. Foreman then played into the third quarter, and he wound up leading the Browns in touches and yards from scrimmage. The journeyman made a solid case to begin the season as the No. 3 RB behind Ford and Strong, but Saturday's usage could also have been a sign the Browns are showcasing Foreman for a potential trade.
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Pierre Strong Jr. RB | GB
Browns' Pierre Strong: Cameo in preseason loss
Strong carried the ball three times for two yards and caught one of two targets for three yards in Saturday's 27-12 preseason loss to the Vikings.
With Cleveland sitting out all its starters and key reserves, Strong got the start in the backfield but left the game after only two drives, with D'Onta Foreman getting an extended look after that. The usage bodes well for Strong's chances of securing the No. 2 spot on the running back depth chart behind Jerome Ford to begin the season, but it would be only a temporary assignment until Nick Chubb (knee) is ready for game action.
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Sione Vaki RB | DET
Lions' Sione Vaki: Productive in preseason game
Vaki ran for 22 yards on six carries and caught four passes for 60 yards on four targets in Saturday's preseason game against Kansas City.
The rookie fourth-round pick out of Utah seemingly played in the rotation following Craig Reynolds, who took the first touch at running back with Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) and David Montgomery left out of the game. The Lions plan to run often and are expected to keep all four running backs on the roster, and whatever the depth chart placement might be between Vaki and Reynolds at the moment could change over the course of the year. Vaki's pass-catching upside stands out, not just because of his strong showing Saturday but even more so because Vaki turned 14 targets into 11 catches for 203 yards and three touchdowns for Utah last year.
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Craig Reynolds RB | NE
Lions' Craig Reynolds: Plays first preseason drive
Reynolds ran for five yards on one carry and caught one pass for three yards in Saturday's preseason game against Kansas City.
Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) and David Montgomery both took a rest day here, and Reynolds claimed the first touch at running back for Detroit. It's not clear how settled the competition might be between Reynolds and rookie fourth-round pick Sione Vaki, but the fact that Reynolds played first Saturday would seemingly hint that Reynolds is the current favorite for the RB3 role, if only because Reynolds already earned some benefit of the doubt from head coach Dan Campbell in the previous three years. The Lions are fully expected to keep Vaki on the roster as well, but at 216 pounds Reynolds likely offers a bit more power than Vaki (5-foot-11, 210 pounds), while Vaki might offer more elusiveness and receiving upside.