NFL Player News

Blackshear carried the ball 13 times for a team-leading 47 yards in Friday's preseason loss to the Panthers.

The 3.6 YPC isn't great, but Blackshear had a nice preseason after arriving as an undrafted free agent signing out of Virginia Tech. The Bills don't have room for six running backs on the final roster, and that's likely where Blackshear sits considering Taiwan Jones will probably make the team as a special-teams ace. You can bet the Bills will try to stash Blackshear on the practice squad if the cuts go as planned.

Foreman carried the ball three times for six yards in Friday's preseason win over the Bills. He also added two receptions for 10 yards and a touchdown.

Foreman followed Chuba Hubbard into the game, but two of his three carries came at the goal line. Foreman also punched in one of the team's two touchdowns with a two-yard reception midway through the first quarter. The battle between Hubbard and Foreman for the backup running job in Carolina is worth monitoring early in the season -- particularly given Christian McCaffrey's recent injury history.

Hubbard carried the ball four times for four yards in Friday's preseason win over the Bills. He also tallied three receptions on six targets for 25 yards.

Hubbard served as the team's kick returner and also earned the first touches out of Carolina's backfield -- with Christian McCaffrey resting. Hubbard wasn't effective on the ground, but he did tally receptions of 11 and eight yards. Though Hubbard served as the starter, D'Onta Foreman got three straight touches at the goal line midway through the first quarter. The battle between Hubbard and Foreman will be worth monitoring throughout the season, particularly given McCaffrey's recent injury history.

White rushed five times for 17 yards and a touchdown and wasn't targeted in the passing game during the Raiders' 23-6 preseason win over the Patriots on Friday night.

With Josh Jacobs among the Raiders' key players rested in the contest, the rookie drew the starting assignment and logged all his touches during the team's first two drives. White capped off the second of those possessions with a four-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, his second trip to the end zone in the last two exhibitions. White has performed impressively overall this summer, seemingly setting him up for the No. 2 running back role behind Jacobs beginning with a Week 1 road AFC West battle against the Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 11.

Cook carried the ball three times for 13 yards in Friday's preseason loss to the Bills. He also had one reception that went for no gain.

Cook started the game, though Devin Singletary didn't tally any statistics in the team's preseason finale. Cook was stymied on the team's first drive, gaining no yards on a carry and reception. He also was called for chop block penalty, though the foul was declined. Cook rebounded for gains of nine and four yards on the ground during the team's second drive, his only action of the contest. He figures to work behind Singletary to begin the season, though Cook's role could expand if he impresses early on.

Stevenson rushed five times for 22 yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game during the Patriots' 23-6 preseason loss to the Raiders on Friday night.

While head coach Bill Belichick has complimented Stevenson's progress as a receiver this summer, the second-year back was utilized exclusively on the ground in the exhibition finale and was reasonably productive with his limited opportunity. Stevenson was the first running back in the game for the Patriots with Damien Harris (undisclosed) unavailable, essentially mirroring the co-lead-back role he's expected to hold in conjunction with the latter beginning with a Week 1 road AFC East showdown against the Dolphins on Sept. 11.

Jones rushed eight times for 23 yards and caught both targets for 12 yards in Friday's 27-10 preseason win over the Chargers.

Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram were the only running backs to feature on the Saints' first drive, but Jones got some touches with Ingram still in the game after that, providing a possible showcase of New Orleans' backfield distribution in the event Kamara misses time in the regular season due to suspension or injury. Jones appeared to hurt his leg late in the first half, per Katheirne Terrell of ESPN, but he continued to play in the second half. Jones should be available for the Sept. 11 regular season opener in Atlanta, assuming he makes the team.

Kelley rushed six times for 40 yards and caught his only target for one yard in Friday's 27-10 preseason loss to the Saints.

Kelley and Larry Rountree split the early reps at running back. The former looked more explosive, but the latter found the end zone despite mustering just 12 rushing yards on six attempts. Both Kelley and Rountree figure to mix in behind Austin Ekeler early in the season while rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller works his way back from an ankle injury, but Spiller could wind up being the No. 2 running back later in the season unless one of Kelley or Rountree shows substantial improvement compared to previous years.

Rountree started Friday's 27-10 preseason loss to the Saints and rushed six times for 12 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for 12 yards.

Rountree was the first Chargers running back to touch the ball with Austin Ekeler sitting out, but he didn't do much with the opportunity outside of a one-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Joshua Kelley also mixed in early and totaled 41 scrimmage yards on seven touches, but neither running back seemed to create much separation in the battle for the No. 2 running back spot behind Austin Ekeler. That job could eventually go to rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller (ankle), but Spiller may not be ready to suit up for the Sept. 11 season opener against Vegas, leaving both Rountree and Kelley with the opportunity to seize a consistent role in a high-powered offense.

Kamara rushed twice for 19 yards and caught his only target for five yards in Friday's 27-10 preseason win over the Chargers.

Kamara got limited action in his first appearance of the preseason but looked spry as usual. The main drawback surrounding the 27-year-old running back's 2022 campaign is the looming possibility of a suspension due to an offseason incident in Las Vegas, but with the verdict on that subject looking increasingly likely to be put off until after the season, Kamara could turn into a fantasy draft day steal given his role as the focal point of the Saints offense both on the ground and through the air.