NFL Player News

Spiller rushed five times for 27 yards and brought in both targets for 11 yards in the Chargers' 34-17 preseason win over the Rams on Saturday night.

The 2022 fourth-round pick was the second running back to receive a touch behind Joshua Kelley, with Spiller entering on the second possession of the game. Kelley, his primary competition for the No. 2 running back role, logged four more carries and gained twice as many rushing yards, but Spiller helped offset that to an extent with his pair of receptions. The job battle between the two will continue to unfold during a preseason home matchup against the Saints on Sunday night, Aug. 20.

Kelley rushed nine times for 54 yards and failed to bring in his only target during the Chargers' 34-17 preseason win over the Rams on Saturday night.

Kelley was the first Chargers running back with a touch Saturday night and ended up pacing the team in carries. The 2020 fourth-round pick's long run was only 13 yards, so he consistently generated solid gains during his time in the contest. Kelley has been afforded only modest opportunity during his first three seasons, and this summer, he's battling Isaiah Spiller for the No. 2 running back role behind Austin Ekeler. The job battle will continue in Los Angeles' second preseason contest Sunday night, Aug. 20 at home against the Saints.

Hill rushed three times for 48 yards in the Ravens' 20-19 preseason win over the Eagles on Saturday night.

Hill got the first running back touch of the night for the Ravens and ended up with a game-high rushing yardage total thanks in large part to a 37-yard run. The 2019 fourth-round pick, who re-signed with the Ravens on a two-year deal this offseason, is likely to fill the No. 3 running back role once again this coming season unless veteran Melvin Gordon unexpectedly pushes him off the roster.

Edwards rushed four times for 21 yards and brought in his only target for seven yards in the Ravens' 20-19 preseason win over the Eagles on Saturday night.

Edwards was the second Ravens running back to log a touch Saturday behind Justice Hill, and he put together an efficient showing overall with his limited opportunity. Edwards will be playing out the final year of his contract in 2023 and is reportedly all the way back from his September 2021 ACL tear, and he likely has the inside track to the No. 2 running back job behind J.K. Dobbins (PUP-undisclosed) once the regular season begins.

Gordon rushed six times for 16 yards and brought in his only target for nine yards in the Ravens' 20-19 preseason win over the Eagles on Saturday night.

Gordon didn't see playing time until the second half, logging touches on Baltimore's first two possessions following intermission. The veteran, who's battling for a backup running back spot, gained half his rushing yardage on one carry, so he mostly struggled behind a makeshift offensive line. It's difficult to ascertain what Gordon may have left in the tank after he tied a career low with 3.5 yards per carry last season in Denver, but if his usage Saturday is any indication, the Ravens appear intent on giving him a relatively robust evaluation this preseason.

Mitchell rushed six times for 11 yards, brought in one of two targets of nine yards and returned three kickoffs for 73 yards in the Ravens' 20-19 preseason win over the Eagles on Saturday night.

Mitchell was limited to filling a returner role in the first half, but he was then afforded some opportunity from scrimmage over the first two Ravens possessions after halftime. While he found running room at a premium, Mitchell made good use of his one reception and also was solid on his three kickoff returns. The undrafted East Carolina product and two-time 1,000-yard rusher, who's striving to unseat either Justice Hill or Melvin Gordon and earn a No. 4 running back role, is likely to see another solid allotment of touches in Baltimore's second preseason game against the Commanders on Monday night, Aug. 21.

Penny rushed nine times for 34 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Eagles' 20-19 preseason loss to the Ravens on Saturday night.

Penny paced the Eagles in carries and received seven more rushing touches than fellow offseason arrival D'Andre Swift while playing on Philadelphia's first four possessions. Penny appears fully recovered from the fractured fibula he suffered in Week 5 of last season with the Seahawks, but come the regular season, it's likely the disparity in carries between him and Swift is not as expansive. Given his ongoing acclimation to a new offensive system, Penny is likely to once again log a solid workload by preseason standards in Thursday night's home exhibition battle versus the Browns.

Swift rushed twice for 24 yards in the Eagles' 20-19 preseason loss to the Ravens on Saturday night.

Making his in-game debut with his new team, Swift ripped off a team-long 22-yard run on his second and final carry of his brief night. Swift got the first running back touch of the night for Philadelphia ahead of fellow offseason acquisition Rashaad Penny, although the latter ultimately saw action on the first four possessions. Swift was uncharacteristically left out of the passing game, yet his limited time in the game helps explain that outlier. Given he's still acclimating to a new offense, Swift could well see action again in Philadephia's second preseason game Thursday night against the Browns.

Ekeler isn't in line to play in Saturday's preseason game versus the Rams, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler is among a number of starters not suiting up for the Chargers' exhibition opener. With the team's top running back sidelined, all of Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Larry Rountree, Elijah Dotson and Tyler Hoosman can be expected to get some work out of the backfield. Ekeler's next opportunity for preseason action arrives Sunday, Aug. 20 against the Saints.

Cook started the Bills' preseason opener against the Colts on Saturday, rushing for 20 yards and a touchdown on four carries before exiting with the rest of the first team.

Cook got to work quickly after the Bills' defense gifted the offense with excellent field position by picking off rookie QB Anthony Richardson in Colts' territory. The 23-year-old handled all three rushing attempts on the ensuing drive, with the third being punched in for an eight-yard score. Cook was not targeted as a passer, but he may be forced to show us that part of his game following the announcement that Bills receiving back Nyheim Hines (knee) will miss the entire 2023 season. The other veteran back the front office brought in to compete with Cook, Damien Harris (knee), did not play Saturday and the team has yet to update the status of his knee injury. What once looked like a crowded backfield has suddenly opened up for Cook, which boosts his fantasy value as leagues are gearing to kick off.