NFL Player News

Spears rushed four times for 35 yards and brought in his only target for four yards in the Titans' 19-13 preseason win over the 49ers on Thursday.

Spears finished second in rushing yards for the Titans on the night behind Julius Chestnut, and the former showed no signs of the soreness and irritation that caused an early exit from practice on Friday. Spears has a chance to make a case for the top running back job currently held by Tony Pollard, but barring any unforeseen developments or injury, it appears likely the latter will continue relegating Spears to a complementary role to begin the 2026 season.

Pollard rushed four times for 22 yards and a touchdown and wasn't targeted in the Titans' 19-13 preseason win over the 49ers on Thursday.

The veteran running back took the field with the rest of the Titans' starters on Tennessee's opening possession and wasted no time making an impact, quickly bursting up the middle for a 12-yard run on his team's first play from scrimmage. Pollard eventually capped the drive off with a five-yard touchdown run, finishing his abbreviated night in impressive fashion. Pollard is looking to maintain a firm hold on the No. 1 running back role over Tyjae Spears in what is expected to be an improved Tennessee offense, and Thursday's showing certainly got him off to a strong start in that regard.

Vidal got the start in Thursday's 27-7 preseason win over the Texans and rushed five times for eight yards while failing to catch his only target.

The Chargers rested starting running back Omarion Hampton for the preseason opener, and offseason addition Keaton Mitchell didn't register a touch. This was a quiet performance from Vidal, but the 2024 sixth-round pick remains in the mix for touches behind Hampton after a solid sophomore season in which Vidal produced 779 regular-season scrimmage yards.

Washington rushed six times for 63 yards, failed to bring in his only target and returned one kickoff for 22 yards in the Raiders' 27-14 preseason loss to the Cardinals on Thursday.

The rookie fourth-round pick is considered the favorite to open the season as the No. 2 back behind Ashton Jeanty, and Washington did nothing if not help cement that status in his NFL debut. The Arkansas product gained the bulk of his rushing production on his 53-yard scamper during the Raiders' third possession, but he also had a five-yard run wiped out by an offensive holding penalty. Washington averaged a stellar 6.4 yards per carry during his 2025 senior season with the Razorbacks, and he should have ample opportunity to prove his worth as a change-of-pace back during his rookie campaign.

Allgeier rushed four times for 19 yards and wasn't targeted in the Cardinals' 27-14 preseason win over the Raiders on Thursday.

Allgeier and rookie third overall pick Jeremiyah Love were the two Cardinals running backs to log touches on the team's opening possession. Allgeier's first opportunity came after Love had seen two rush attempts and recorded a reception, but the former proceeded to rattle off consecutive seven-yard runs on his first pair of carries. Allgeier also had a five-yard rush on the Cardinals' second drive, and his team debut was an encouraging one overall. The veteran RB's exact regular-season role in a crowded backfield remains to be determined, but it's worth noting Allgeier has ample experience complementing a star back after playing alongside Bijan Robinson in Atlanta for the last three seasons.

Coach Mike LaFleur said Love suffered an ankle injury during Thursday's 27-14 preseason win at Las Vegas, but he doesn't believe it's serious, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Love played the entire first half in his first appearance as a pro, and the third overall pick in this year's draft didn't disappoint, turning 11 carries into 58 yards and reeling in all three targets for 14 yards. LaFleur added afterward that Love could have returned if he was needed, and the coach also is optimistic that the rookie running back will be able to practice next week. Love's next chance for exhibition action is Saturday, Aug. 22 versus the Cowboys.

Jeanty rushed three times for 16 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Raiders' 27-14 preseason loss to the Cardinals on Thursday.

Jeanty was the first running back in the game for the Raiders and saw all his touches on Las Vegas' first drive before his night came to a quick end. The 2025 first-round pick is coming off a solid rookie campaign where he arguably maximized his opportunities on a struggling team in need of a talent infusion, and the offseason addition of star center Tyler Linderbaum is expected to make a significant impact on the blocking Jeanty enjoy as he carries out his clear-cut No. 1 role in 2026.

Love rushed 11 times for 58 yards and brought in all three targets for 14 yards in the Cardinals' 27-14 preseason win over the Raiders on Thursday.

The rookie first-round pick was the first Cardinals running back to garner a touch in the contest, logging two rush attempts and a reception on the opening possession. Love had eight- and nine-yard runs on Arizona's second drive and back-to-back 14- and 16-yard scampers the third time the Cardinals had the ball. It was a highly efficient showing overall for Love in his first taste of NFL game action, and he clearly became more comfortable the longer he remained in the game. The third overall pick should have additional opportunity to tune up for his first season in the Cardinals' second preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 22 at home against the Cowboys.

Brown rushed five times for 16 yards in Thursday's preseason-opening 16-14 win over the Lions.

Brown and the rest of Cincinnati's starters played two drives Thursday. After recording at least 1,350 scrimmage yards and 11 total touchdowns in each of the past two regular seasons, Brown is locked in atop a Bengals running back depth chart that also includes Samaje Perine and Tahj Brooks. Cincinnati will continue preseason play Aug. 22 against the Bears.

Black (thigh) will not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Titans, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Black is competing for one of the relief running back roles behind Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed), so the sooner the 2026 third-rounder gets back on the field, the better. With primary competition Jordan James (ribs) also out for Thursday's game, Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick, Khalil Herbert and Zamir White will get a chance to prove they should be in the conversation for spots on the 53-man roster.