NFL Player News

Abdullah and Brandon Bolden split third-down work in Tuesday's practice, and both could have roles as part of a likely backfield committee, Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur or The Athletic report.

Josh Jacobs seems to be on track for the Week 1 start, but Abdullah and Bolden are candidates to steal passing-down snaps, and rookie Zamir White is a threat to take short-yardage work. While four-man backfield committees aren't common, the Raiders could do it without much sacrifice elsewhere on the roster, as Bolden and Abdullah both have ample experience playing special teams. It's also still possible head coach Josh McDaniel chooses one of Abdullah and Bolden over the other for a role that would mostly entail playing time in hurry-up situations and on third downs.

The Raiders released Drake on Tuesday.

The move was expected in the absence of the Raiders fielding a last-minute trade offer, but now Drake is free to catch on with another team looking to add backfield depth. Until the 28-year-old finds a landing spot, he'll remain a speculative fantasy option, but in the right context Drake could earn enough playing time down the road to earn consideration in fantasy lineups.

Sanders (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

Reports came through last week suggesting that the Eagles expect Sanders to be ready for their season opener in Detroit, after presumably missing the third and final preseason game. He's now been out for a week and a half since the team's exhibition opener, during which he played one drive and caught two passes for 20 yards. If Sanders were to miss Week 1, the Eagles likely would turn to a split between Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield.

Jacobs remains on track to open the season as the Raiders' starting running back but could cede some goal-line carries to Zamir White and some passing-down snaps to Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Worry surrounding Jacobs' role was first piqued when he played in the Hall of Fame Game while nearly all the Raiders' other starters sat out. He's since been held out of two preseason games to quiet some concern in regard to the Week 1 starting job, but there's still a decent chance Jacobs sees his workload reduced relative to past seasons. He's never drawn much playing time in obvious passing situations during his career, but he ranked in the top eight in team share of inside-the-five carries the past two years, getting 78 percent in 2020 and 60 percent in 2021. White threatens to take a chunk of that, though to what extend the rookie poaches goal-line or short-yardage work won't be known until the Raiders open the regular season Sept. 11 against the division-rival Chargers.

Wilson "seems like the best bet to get the first shot" behind starting running back Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) this season, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell and Wilson both missed multiple games with injuries in 2021, as did Trey Sermon and third-down back JaMycal Hasty. The team brings back all four -- plus rookie third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price -- but none of those backfield options have seemingly made a serious move to overtake the 26-year-old Wilson for the second spot on the depth chart. Wilson ran for 261 yards and two touchdowns in four fill-in starts last season, and while he likely won't see many carries when Mitchell is healthy, Wilson and Davis-Price both are candidates to sub in for some of the goal-line work.

Knight rushed five times for nine yards in Monday's 24-16 preseason win over the Falcons. He added two kickoff returns for 56 yards.

Knight has averaged just two yards per carry in the preseason, so his best chance of making the Jets' roster is as a special teams contributor. More realistically, the undrafted rookie out of NC State will likely end up on the practice squad unless he blows away expectations in Sunday's preseason finale against the Giants.

Perine rushed twice for 10 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 24-16 preseason win over Atlanta.

Perine didn't see the field much in this one but made the most of his limited opportunities, bouncing outside for a seven-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. He outplayed undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight (five carries for nine yards), but Perine's likely still looking up at Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson on the running back depth chart heading into Sunday's preseason finale against the Giants.

Stevenson's improvement with his passing game skills has impressed coach Bill Belichick, Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal reports.

Belichick noted that the 2021 fourth-rounder has made strides in blitz pickup and pass protection as well as route running, while adding that the 6-foot, 230-pounder has "good hands, catching the ball's never really been an issue." With that in mind, Stevenson -- who already is on track be part of the Patriots' early-down mix this season along with Damien Harris -- also could see his role as a pass catcher out of the New England backfield increase, with the team looking to fill the void created by the retirement of James White. Also in the mix for change-of-pace touches are Ty Montgomery and perhaps rookie Pierre Strong, but if Stevenson does claim his share of them, the Oklahoma product's fantasy utility will see an uptick.

Jones may have "late life" in the battle for a roster spot with Kansas City, after he had a good practice Tuesday and Derrick Gore (thumb) was placed on injured reserve, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Those who drafted the former Buccaneer earlier this summer were hoping he'd challenge Clyde Edwards-Helaire for the starting job, or at least take away a large portion of the team's carries. Instead, Jones seems to be battling for a back-end roster spot, as he's worked behind Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon throughout the preseason. Even if he's behind those guys, Jones could make the roster as the fourth running back, though for fantasy purposes a fresh start with another team might actually be better.

Herbert (undisclosed) didn't practice Tuesday, Mark Grote of WSCR Radio reports.

Herbert left Sunday's practice early and was a limited participant Monday. He started the Bears' first two preseason games, but he's now uncertain to play in the finale Saturday in Cleveland, while David Montgomery (undisclosed) reportedly has a chance to make it back.