NFL Player News

Brown rushed seven times for 19 yards and brought in his only target for four yards in the Buccaneers' 13-6 preseason win over the Jets on Saturday night.

The former Division II star had logged only two touches in the preseason-opening loss to the Steelers, but his workload got a nice boost as the coaching staff gave both Brown and fellow undrafted rookie Sean Tucker long looks. Brown was in on 13 plays overall -- six fewer than Tucker -- and he finished third behind him and Patrick Laird in rushing yards. The 23-year-old will likely get another extended look during Saturday night's home preseason finale against the Ravens.

Coach John Harbaugh said the shoulder injury Mitchell suffered Monday night against the Commanders isn't serious, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell left after rushing one time for 31 yards and never returned to the game. It sounds like he avoided a serious injury. Mitchell is in a contested battle for the Ravens' RB4 job behind J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill. Mitchell's special teams contributions and playmaking ability might give him the edge over veteran Melvin Gordon.

Tucker rushed seven times for 37 yards and brought in all three targets for 18 yards in the Buccaneers' 13-6 preseason win over the Jets on Saturday.

Tucker was notably the second back to log a touch after Ke'Shawn Vaughn with Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds getting the night off. The undrafted rookie ultimately logged 19 snaps on offense and was busy with them, setting the pace for Tampa Bay in rushing yards while drawing even for the team lead in receptions. Tucker's three primary competitors for a roster spot -- Vaughn, Ronnie Brown and Patrick Laird -- combined for 31 yards on 20 carries and two catches for 14 yards, so the Syracuse alum certainly appears to have gained some serious ground Saturday.

Demercado turned eight carries into 12 yards and reeled in all three of his targets for 22 yards during Saturday's 38-10 preseason defeat to the Chiefs.

In somewhat of a surprise twist, Demercado was the third Cardinals running back to see action in preseason Week 2 behind James Conner and Keaontay Ingram and ahead of Corey Clement (Ty'Son Williams didn't play). This follows an exhibition debut in which Demercado, an undrafted rookie, had seven touches for 25 yards from scrimmage and punched in the game-winning two-point conversion on Aug. 11 against the Broncos. Still, Arizona continues to list Demercado fourth on the RB depth chart behind Conner, Ingram and Clement, according to Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic. As a result, Demercado's performance in the team's final preseason contest Saturday in Minnesota may go a long way in determining his fate when rosters are pared.

Gibson had four carries for 15 yards and three catches for 10 yards and a touchdown in Monday's preseason matchup with the Ravens.

Brian Robinson was the starter for a second straight week and again worked in a near-50/50 split with Gibson. The Commanders played their starters for the first half and now have kept them on the field for seven drives this preseason, with Robinson getting 13 opportunities (eight carries, five targets) and Gibson seeing 12 (six carries, six targets). There hasn't been a clear split like last year in terms of Robinson taking early downs while Gibson handles passing situations, but it is possible OC Eric Bieniemy switches that up some once the regular season begins Sept. 10 against Arizona.

Mitchell suffered a left shoulder injury during Monday's preseason game at Washington.

At the end of a 31-yard run down the right sideline in the third quarter, Mitchell endured a big hit from a Commanders defender and was tended to by Ravens trainers on the sideline before making his way to the locker room. The extent of the injury isn't known, but Baltimore officially is calling the undrafted rookie running back questionable to return.

Robinson took five carries for 21 yards and four catches for 17 yards in Monday's preseason game against the Ravens.

He and Antonio Gibson worked in what appeared close to a 50/50 split, with the latter recording four carries for 15 yards and three catches for 10 yards and a touchdown. It was essentially the same rotation as the previous week, including Robinson being the starter, only with Washington's first unit playing an entire half instead of the first 19 minutes of game time. The split won't necessarily be this even once games count, but the smart money is on Robinson and Gibson both getting a bunch of touches in a Week 1 home game against Arizona.

Clement tallied two carries for three yards and gathered in one of two targets for four yards during Saturday's 38-10 preseason loss to the Chiefs.

Clement was the fourth Cardinals running back to enter the game behind top option James Conner, Keaontay Ingram and undrafted rookie Emari Demercado, while Ty'Son Williams didn't see the field at all. Despite the potential demotion, Clement remains behind Conner and Ingram and ahead of Demercado and Williams on the team's third unofficial depth chart of the preseason, per Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic. Clement's performance in Saturday's exhibition at Minnesota ultimately may determine whether or not he survives cut downs with a spot on Arizona's roster.

Hill had two carries for 25 yards and one catch for 13 yards in Monday's preseason game at Washington, playing the opening drive before exiting for the night.

With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards held out alongside most of Baltimore's other key players, Hill cemented himself ahead of fellow backup RBs Melvin Gordon and Keaton Mitchell. The fifth-year pro has six touches for 86 yards through two preseason games, and there's some chance his relative advantages in speed and receiving skills allow him to pressure Edwards for the No. 2 spot in an offense that's expected to throw more often than in past seasons under the guidance of new OC Todd Monken. It's possible Hill is among the players rested Saturday when the Ravens host the Bucs in their final preseason game.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Jones (groin/suspension) will be "challenged" to return this week in time for Dallas' third preseason game, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jones is suspended for the first two games of the regular season and has missed the first two preseason contests with a groin injury suffered on Aug. 7. The veteran is competing for snaps behind Tony Pollard with Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis.