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Antonio Gibson RB | NE
Commanders' Antonio Gibson: Splits work with Robinson
Gibson carried the ball twice for seven yards and caught two of three targets for 13 yards in Friday's preseason win over the Browns.
The Commanders used their first-team offense for three possessions despite wet field conditions, and during those drives Gibson wound up seeing one more touch than Brian Robinson (three carries for 16 yards). While neither back was effective, Gibson becomes a more appealing fantasy option if new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy continues to split the workload relatively equally between them rather than leaning more heavily on Robinson.
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Brian Robinson Jr. RB | ATL
Commanders' Brian Robinson: Gets feet wet Friday
Robinson carried the ball three times for 16 yards in Friday's preseason win over the Browns.
The start of the game was delayed due to a thunderstorm, but the Commanders elected to send out their first-team offense to begin the night even with wet field conditions. Robinson ended up seeing one less touch than Antonio Gibson (two carries, two receptions) over three drives before the backups took over, perhaps giving an early glimpse at how new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy plans to split the workload in the backfield. Robinson should remain the primary option on early downs, but the 2022 third-round pick's fantasy value could depend on how much usage he sees in the red zone and at the goal line.
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Ke'Shawn Vaughn RB | SF
Buccaneers' Ke'Shawn Vaughn: Flops in elevated role
Vaughn was held to just four yards on seven carries and was not targeted in Friday's preseason loss to the Steelers.
Projected starter Rachaad White was held out of Tampa Bay's first exhibition contest, so it was notable that Vaughn was the first back deployed (even with the dirt-poor results). Fellow tailback rotation candidates Chase Edmonds (6/18/0) and Sean Tucker (6/10/0) barely moved the ball against Pittsburgh's defense either, so it's hard to give any player the leg up as they jockey for position ahead of Week 1. Vaughn will get an opportunity for redemption when the Bucs face the Jets on Aug. 19.
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Jaylen Warren RB | PIT
Steelers' Jaylen Warren: Mixed in with starters
Warren rushed three times for 13 yards on Pittsburgh's opening drive in a 27-17 preseason win over the Buccaneers.
It was interesting to see Warren get his snaps mixed in with the first unit, especially considering expected starter Najee Harris received no carries and one reception for a loss on the same drive. There is little doubt that Harris will be the starting back in Pittsburgh come Week 1, but Warren's inclusion with the first unit shows the growing trust the coaching staff has in its standout UDFA from a year ago.
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Najee Harris RB | NYG
Steelers' Najee Harris: Sees brief action with starters
Harris joined the starters for the opening drive of Friday's exhibition win over Tampa Bay, but he did not record a carry and caught his lone target for minus-1 yard.
While Harris wasn't used as a runner during the starters' brief appearance Friday, he did record the first touch out of Pittsburgh's backfield via a reception. Backup Jaylen Warren spelled Harris on the opening drive and finished with three carries for 13 yards. Harris is still the unquestioned starter in Pittsburgh, but injuries and a lack of improvement on a solid rookie season has likely shortened his leash should he get off to a slow start in 2023. Expect the Steelers to get their lead back involved offensively at some point this preseason, with that next opportunity coming on Aug. 19 against the Bills.
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Jahmyr Gibbs RB | DET
Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs: Seven touches in NFL debut
Gibbs rushed six times for 19 yards and caught his only target for 18 yards in Friday's 21-16 preseason win over the Giants.
Gibbs was viewed as a reach when the Lions picked him 12th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, but at least Detroit should give the rookie out of Alabama plenty of touches to justify the selection. He figures to be a direct replacement for D'Andre Swift, whom the Lions traded away after drafting Gibbs. The shifty running back showed off his pass-catching skills on an 18-yard reception to move the chains on Detroit's third possession, but Gibbs will need to be more efficient on the ground moving forward to compete with David Montgomery for early-down work.
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James Robinson RB | NO
Giants' James Robinson: No burst in debut with Big Blue
Robinson rushed six times for nine yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game in Friday's 21-16 preseason loss to the Lions.
With starter Saquon Barkley resting, Robinson was the second running back into the game after Matt Breida. Robinson's inability to find any running room in this one won't quell concerns that his ability has been permanently diminished by the Achilles tear he suffered late in the 2021 season. He averaged just 2.9 yards per carry after being traded from the Jaguars to the Jets last season and was waived by New England three months after signing with the Patriots in the offseason. Robinson's fighting an uphill battle to earn a roster spot with the Giants.
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Matt Breida RB | SF
Giants' Matt Breida: Starts preseason opener
Breida got the start in Friday's 21-16 preseason loss to the Lions and proceeded to rush once for one yard while failing to catch his only target.
Breida's stat line was nothing to write home about, but it's encouraging that he was the first running back called upon with Saquon Barkley sitting out the preseason opener. Next into the game after Breida were veteran James Robinson and rookie fifth-round draft pick Eric Gray. After serving as Barkley's primary backup last season, Breida's the frontrunner to reclaim that role in 2023.
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Eric Gray RB | CLE
Giants' Eric Gray: Bottled up in debut
Gray rushed five times for nine yards and caught two of three targets for 10 yards in Friday's 21-16 preseason loss to the Lions. He also returned three kickoffs for 62 yards and two punts for eight yards.
Gray didn't see the field until after veterans Matt Breida and James Robinson, suggesting he still has ground to make up in the competition to claim the backup spot behind Saquon Barkley. The Giants clearly want to see what the rookie fifth-round pick can do in the return game, and Gray fared fine in that regard Friday. After a modest performance on offense in his NFL debut, Gray will look to put forth better numbers in the team's next preseason game against the Panthers.
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Bijan Robinson RB | ATL
Falcons' Bijan Robinson: Set for preseason debut
Robinson is slated to make his preseason debut next Friday versus the Bengals, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
After Robinson and the rest of the first-team offense didn't suit up for Friday's exhibition opener at Miami, he'll be out there for preseason Week 2. He ripped off 6.3 YPC and hauled in 60 passes in 31 career games at Texas, which will serve him well in one of the NFL's most run-heavy schemes.