NFL Player News

Goodson had 10 carries for 42 yards and one reception for 10 yards in Friday's exhibition contest against the Saints.

After starting the preseason opener, Goodson worked behind Patrick Taylor on Friday, but the former wound up with more touches and yards from scrimmage and also showed a bit more burst. Unless fellow running back Kylin Hill (knee) returns to action in the next week or so, either Goodson or Taylor will open the season as the third option in the Packers' backfield, and it's a tight race with one audition to go.

Brown injured his ankle in Friday's loss to the Patriots and was ultimately unable to return, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The severity of Brown's injury is unknown at this time. He is currently firmly planted at No. 4 on the team's depth chart at running back behind Christian McCaffrey, Chuba Hubbard and D'Onta Foreman. Thus, he projects to be a fringe candidate for the final 53-man roster assuming his health is up to par.

Swift is not expected to suit up in Saturday's preseason contest against the Colts, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

Head coach Dan Campbell suggested Friday most of the team's key offensive starters would not play, so this isn't much of a surprise. Jamaal Williams also appears to be among the group of players not playing Saturday, meaning Justin Jackson, Craig Reynolds and Godwin Igwebuike should see extended workloads as the trio competes for one of the team's final roster spots.

Texans head coach Lovie Smith said Pierce didn't play in Friday's preseason game against the Rams because the coach didn't need to see him play, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reports.

The football world was looking to see if Pierce would line up with the first-team offense Friday -- a sign that he would be the team's lead back come Week 1 -- but the rookie didn't play at all. Apparently, that turned out to be a greater sign that Pierce is the unofficial number one. Smith has seen what he needs to see from Pierce, opting not to expose him Friday, while the coach evaluated Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead for slots behind the rookie.

Funk rushed once for no gain and secured his only target for minus-1 yard in the Rams' 24-20 preseason loss to the Texans on Friday night.

With neither Cam Akers nor Darrell Henderson suiting up due to undisclosed injuries, Funk served as the starting running back but actually saw less work than during the preseason-opening win against the Chargers. The 2021 seventh-round pick logged most of his game action on special teams last season, and he's likely headed for a similar role in 2022 if he sticks on the final 53-man roster.

Pierce did not log a carry or target during the Texans' 24-20 preseason win over the Rams on Friday night.

There was no shortage of buzz around the rookie fourth-round pick following his five-carry, 49-yard performance against the Saints in the preseason opener, but head coach Lovie Smith opted to give his veteran backs the run of the ground game Friday. Pierce is battling Marlon Mack for the primary early-down role per Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 AM, and although the latter was more productive than in the opener with an eight-carry, 29-yard tally Friday, Pierce could conceivably lock in the No. 1 running back job with a strong enough showing in Thursday night's home preseason finale against the 49ers, which he'll presumably see action in.

Mack rushed eight times for 29 yards in the Texans' 24-20 preseason win over the Rams on Friday night.

Mack drew the start while rookie Dameon Pierce was held out of action, and the veteran was able to put in a more productive showing than his three-carry, six-yard tally during the preseason opener against the Saints on Saturday. Pierce was much more explosive during his time on the field versus New Orleans, however, and perhaps Mack's extended playing time Friday was head coach Lovie Smith's attempt to give him ample opportunity in game action after the combination of an Achilles injury and Jonathan Taylor limited him to just 32 total carries with the Colts over the last two seasons. Pierce could see a similar or greater level of volume in the preseason finale versus the 49ers on Thursday, and if he's able to make another strong impression, it's conceivable the fourth-round pick could wrest the No. 1 running back job ahead of Week 1.

Jones gained 19 yards on four rushes and also tallied three receptions on three targets for 20 yards in Friday's preseason game against the Packers.

Jones started the game and saw increased run with each of Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram and Dwayne Washington sitting the game out. He picked up some chunk gains on the ground but was particularly impressive as a receiver. It's also worth noting that Jones made two tackles on special teams, which will almost certainly be his primary role once the regular season begins.

Taylor carried the ball eight times for 27 yards in Friday's 20-10 preseason win over the Saints.

Taylor got the start with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon both sitting. He didn't do much with his performance, as he averaged only 3.4 yards per carry and his longest rush went for only five yards. Taylor is in competition with Tyler Goodson to serve as the team's third running back so long as Kylin Hill (knee) remains on the PUP list.

Stevenson carried the ball twice for four yards and failed to catch his only target in Friday's preseason game against the Panthers.

Damien Harris, Ty Montgomery and Stevenson rotated through the offense during the first half, but the latter's performance lagged behind the other two as Harris averaged 6.0 yards a carry on his limited touches, while Montgomery found his way into the end zone. Stevenson is coming off an impressive rookie season and has been touted as a breakout candidate with the potential to encroach on Harris' early-down role while also seeing snaps on passing downs; however, as in years past, the Patriots' backfield could be a true committee in 2022, which would make it difficult to trust any of the three main backs on a weekly basis. Per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, coach Bill Belichick indicated after the game all his healthy starters would be available for New England's preseason finale next week against the Raiders, so there will be one more chance for the coaching staff to provide some clarity on how Stevenson and the rest of the RB crew will be deployed in the regular season.