NFL Player News

Jones isn't expected to play in the final preseason game with the Packers holding out their top players to prepare for Week 1 at Minnesota, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Jones and AJ Dillon, among others, haven't played at all this preseason. There's no doubt both backs will have key roles in the opener, but it's less clear if the backfield split will look more like early 2021 (advantage: Jones) or late 2021 (closer to 50/50, though still more Jones than Dillon). The Minnesota defense Jones faces Week 1 could look different from past years as well with new DC Ed Donatell expected to use plenty of 3-4 looks, but a lot of key players are the same, including linebacker Eric Kendricks, edge rusher Danielle Hunter, and safety Harrison Smith.

Etienne and other starters aren't scheduled to play in the Jaguars' third and final preseason game Saturday against Atlanta, Hays Carlyon of 1010 AM WJXL Jacksonville reports.

Etienne got most of the first-team snaps this preseason -- with Snoop Conner subbing in some -- and took 17 carries for 52 yards and one catch for 10 yards. The 2021 first-round pick looked better than the middling numbers suggest, and he figures to be the lead back Week 1 even if James Robinson (Achilles) is cleared to play -- something coach Doug Pederson expects to happen, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network.

Carter and other key players for the Jets are expected to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Giants, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Carter started the preseason opener before sitting out the second game along with other key veterans. Rookie Breece Hall played both games, subbing in behind Carter in the first, but nobody will be surprised if the 36th overall pick in this year's draft ends up getting more touches once the games count. If Hall is as advertised and Carter builds on his strong rookie year, the Jets soon will have one of the top backfields in the league. Quarterback and O-line play also are big factors in RB fantasy production, though perhaps not as much for Carter if he's not getting many carries anyway and mostly plays on passing downs. It'll be interesting to see how the Jets split work between the two in their final exhibition Sunday against the Giants.

Bargas was waived by the Bears on Tuesday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Bargas will look for a new opportunity just two days after signing with the Bears. The fullback has appeared in just two NFL games and has registered seven total offensive snaps, all of which came in one game with the Vikings in 2020.

The Colts waived Verdell on Tuesday.

Verdell signed with the Colts in May as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon, where he rushed for nine touchdowns over his final two campaigns. However, the 5-foot-8 running back played a marginal role during Indianapolis' first two preseason games and will now be in search of a new NFL opportunity.

Allgeier carried the ball six times for 17 yards in Monday's preseason loss to the Jets. He added three receptions on four targets for 12 yards.

Allgeier mixed in with Damien Williams while Atlanta's starters were on the field but also stayed in to play with the backups. Most notably, Allgeier had a significant role inside the red zone, carrying the ball three times while also tallying two catches on three targets inside the 20. Also of interest to Allgeier's potential role come the regular season, Cordarrelle Patterson lined up at wide receiver for his only offensive snap.

Patterson did not record a statistic but did take the field during Monday's preseason loss to the Jets.

Damien Williams was the first back on the field for Atlanta, though Patterson took the field for the team's second play and lined up as a receiver. Patterson has played only one snap in each of the Falcons' first two preseason games, not enough to get a feel for his potential offensive role come the regular season. Regardless of where he lines up, Patterson should be a substantial part of the team's offensive game plan.

Laird rushed once for no gain and brought in his only target for one yard in the Buccaneers' 13-3 preseason loss to the Titans on Saturday night.

Laird, who'd just signed with the Bucs on Monday, logged a total of 10 snaps from scrimmage and five additional on special teams. The fourth-year pro had last seen game action back in Week 13 of last season with the Dolphins, and he figures in as a long shot to make the final 53-man roster with the team's top four running back spots seemingly set.

Hall carried the ball four times for one yard in Monday's preseason win over the Falcons.

Michael Carter (rest) didn't take the field, so Hall dominated playing time during the Jets' first two offensive possessions. He tallied all four of his carries in that span and found little room to run. It's unclear whether the team's choice to rest Carter and play Hall is an indication of their respective statuses on the depth chart, or if it was done to get Hall more work heading into his first NFL season.

Corbin rushed nine times for 27 yards and a touchdown and added four receptions on four targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 25-22 preseason win over Cincinnati.

Corbin wasn't all that explosive -- he averaged only three yards per carry and didn't have any plays that went for longer than six yards -- but he did record the Giants' only rushing touchdown on a two-yard run up the middle in the second quarter. The rookie signed with New York as an undrafted free agent in the offseason, and he's battling with Gary Brightwell (undisclosed) and Antonio Williams to serve as depth at running back behind Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida (undisclosed). Corbin will have one more chance to flash his skills in preseason play when the Giants take on the Jets in their third and final exhibition contest Sunday.