NFL Player News

Elliott continued to splits first-team reps with Rico Dowdle during the Cowboys' joint practice with the Rams on Thursday, Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com reports.

After spending a season in New England and producing a career-low 3.5 yards per carry, Elliott returned to Dallas this offseason on a cheap, one-year contract, but the 29-year-old still appears headed for a significant workload. The Cowboys don't have a clear No. 1 option in the backfield following the departure of Tony Pollard, so Elliott and Dowdle seem primed to handle the majority of the carries, with Royce Freeman (groin) and 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn (hamstring) also potentially in the mix. Elliott scored 24 total touchdowns with 2,257 scrimmage yards in 32 regular-season games over his last two seasons with the Cowboys, but it's highly unlikely he'll approach that level of production in 2024.

Jones appears unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason opener against Las Vegas after sitting out practice Thursday for an undisclosed reason, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Jones has looked sharp in training camp so this just may be rest for a veteran. However, check to make sure he hasn't been sidelined due to an injury. Jones is expected to start at running back and be a focal point of the offense, with the only question being how many touches he'll share with backup Ty Chandler to keep him fresh.

Gray rushed four times for 52 yards and two touchdowns while catching all four of his targets for 46 yards in Thursday's 14-3 preseason win over the Lions.

Gray has reportedly been running slightly behind rookie fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy (five carries for 26 yards) in the battle for the top backup role behind Devin Singletary, but Thursday's performance could help Gray flip the script. The second-year pro's top highlight was a 48-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, on which Gray wrong-footed a Detroit defender with a nice cut in the open field. He added a one-yard rushing TD later in the first half and also showcased his playmaking ability as a pass catcher. Gray will look to build on this strong performance in the Giants' second preseason game against the Texans next Saturday.

Tracy rushed five times for 26 yards and wasn't targeted in Thursday's 14-3 preseason win over the Lions.

Tracy got the start at running back with veteran Devin Singletary sitting out, and the rookie fifth-round pick looked spry in limited action. His first career carry went for five yards, and Tracy added a 12-yard burst later in the first quarter. Tracy's competing for the backup role against Eric Gray, who exploded for 98 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on eight first-half touches. While Tracy wasn't targeted in this game, he has substantial upside as a pass catcher, having played wide receiver in college before converting to running back for the last two years at Purdue. Tracy and Gray will likely continue to jostle for depth chart positioning in the second preseason game against the Texans next Saturday.

Vaki rushed four times for 29 yards and wasn't targeted in Thursday's 14-3 preseason loss to the Giants. He also recovered a fumble.

All four of Vaki's carries came on one drive late in the first half, and he also showed good awareness for a rookie by recovering a fumble committed by a Giants defender on an interception return. The versatile fourth-round pick played both safety and running back at Utah, but the Lions have had Vaki concentrate on the latter position to begin his NFL career. He appears to be no higher than fourth on the depth chart behind Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Craig Reynolds, who started Thursday's game. Detroit's second preseason game will be next Saturday in Kansas City.

Gibson rushed four times for four yards and brought in his only target for 13 yards in the Patriots' 17-3 preseason win over the Panthers on Thursday.

The veteran back's team debut included the distinction of being on the receiving end of rookie third overall pick Drake Maye's first professional completion. Gibson unsurprisingly ceded the first series to Rhamondre Stevenson, who's projected to serve as the Patriots' clear lead back this coming season while the former acts in more of a third-down/pass-catching capacity.

Stevenson rushed once for 11 yards in the Patriots' 17-3 preseason win over the Panthers on Thursday.

Stevenson was the first running back in the game and also logged his one carry on the first play from scrimmage. The fourth-year back is slated to fill a lead role for the Patriots during the first year of head coach Jerod Mayo's tenure, with Antonio Gibson, who logged five touches in his own right Thursday, set to serve in a complementary capacity.

Gibbs isn't suited up ahead of Thursday's preseason game at the Giants, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.

Both Gibbs and David Montgomery will be in street clothes for the Lions' exhibition opener, which will leave Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki, Zonovan Knight, Jermar Jefferson and Jake Funk to work out of the backfield. Gibbs has been working all over the formation during training camp to date, potentially setting him up to easily surpass the 234 touches for 1,261 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns that he compiled in 15 regular-season contests as a rookie in 2023.

Hubbard isn't in line to play in Thursday's preseason game at New England, Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site reports.

Hubbard will be joined in street clothes by fellow running backs Jonathon Brooks, Miles Sanders and Raheem Blackshear, leaving Mike Boone, Jaden Shirden and Dillon Johnson as the options available out of Carolina's backfield. Hubbard is expected to be the team's top RB to begin the 2024 campaign due to Brooks, a rookie second-round pick, still being in recovery mode from a torn ACL that he suffered last November. In 2023, Hubbard put together a career-best 1,135 yards from scrimmage while scoring five rushing touchdowns on 277 touches in 17 regular-season contests.

Robinson (toe) has been ruled out of the Jaguars' preseason opener against the Chiefs on Saturday, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Robinson has been dealing with a toe injury since July 31, and since then he's been limited to individual drills. The rookie fifth-round running back is competing against Tank Bigsby and D'Ernest Johnson for the backup spot behind Travis Etienne. Robinson will work to be available for the Jaguars' second preseason game against the Buccaneers on Aug. 17.