NFL Player News

McCaffrey will not play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Commanders.

This shouldn't come as a surprise given the Panthers want to be extra cautious with their star back. Expect the likes of Chuba Hubbard and D'Onta Foreman to see the majority of the first-team reps as the Panthers kick off the QB competition between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who both are expected to play at least a series in Saturday's contest.

Ford had 10 carries for 57 yards, caught four of five targets for 45 yards and scored touchdowns as a runner and receiver in Friday's preseason win over the Jaguars.

A nice start for Ford, a fifth-round draft pick in 2022, who showed off his versatility as a runner and receiver. The Browns clearly have a lot of faith in him, but Ford faces a a crowded backfield in front of him. His selection was more about 2023 and beyond, but the University of Cincinnati product could have a role this season if the Browns are eventually forced to trade a running back, like Kareem Hunt or D'Ernest Johnson.

Sanders did not receive a carry but tallied two receptions on two targets for 20 yards in Friday's 24-21 preseason loss to the Jets.

Philadelphia's offensive starters played only one series to begin the game. On that possession, the team did not take to the ground, explaining why Sanders only made the stat sheet as a receiver. His involvement as a pass catcher is encouraging, as he tallied 50 receptions in his rookie season, but Sanders managed only 26 receptions in 2021. Despite working with the second team early in training camp, Sanders should open the regular season as the top back in Philadelphia's rotation out of the backfield.

Wilson did not log a carry or target in the 49ers' 28-21 preseason win over the Packers on Friday night.

The fifth-year pro opened camp as the projected No. 2 back, yet even with Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) sidelined Friday, Wilson didn't see the field. Head coach Kyle Shanahan opted to give extensive playing time to rookie Tyrion Davis-Price, Trey Sermon, JaMycal Hasty and Jordan Mason, but with none of the quartet actually doing anything super to stand out, Wilson's depth-chart slotting likely wasn't affected by the night off.

Sermon rushed six times for 11 yards and brought in his only target for five yards in the 49ers' 28-21 preseason win over the Packers on Friday night.

The 2021 third-round pick is coming off an underwhelming rookie season, and he didn't exactly get his second campaign off to a rousing start Friday. Sermon's 1.8 yards per carry was the lowest figure of any 49ers running back for the night, and he saw backfield mates JaMycal Hasty and Jordan Mason turn in far more efficient efforts. Sermon will aim to give a better accounting of himself in his bid for a roster spot when San Francisco takes on the Vikings in a road exhibition clash a week from Saturday night.

Mitchell (hamstring) isn't expected to play in the 49ers' second preseason game Saturday, Aug. 20 at Minnesota, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Coach Kyle Shanahan relayed the news after Friday's exhibition win against the Packers, noting the 49ers then will make a decision regarding Mitchell for preseason Week 3 (Thursday, Aug. 25 in Houston). Shanahan's statement seems to contradict a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN earlier Friday that Mitchell likely would miss the entire preseason. With a new starting quarterback in Trey Lance in San Francisco, the team seems likely to have a dress rehearsal of sorts with most of the first-team offense working together, so perhaps Mitchell, Deebo Samuel and company will see game action before Week 1.

Davis-Price rushed 10 times for 36 yards and failed to bring in his only target during the 49ers' 28-21 preseason win over the Packers on Friday night.

The rookie third-round pick paced the backfield in carries on a night when Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and Jeff Wilson (coach's decision) didn't see action. However, Davis-Price's backfield mates JaMycal Hasty and Jordan Mason averaged 7.2 and 5.0 yards per carry, respectively, shining the light on the LSU product's struggles a bit more. Davis-Price's next opportunity to make a case for a backup role comes in a road matchup against the Vikings a week from Saturday night.

Evans carried the ball eight times for minus-three yards and caught his only target for nine yards in Friday's preseason game against the Cardinals.

Getting the start in the backfield with both Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine held out, Evans had an absolutely awful showing as a lead back. The second-year player out of Michigan averaged 4.5 yards per carry as a rookie while flashing some receiving skills, but performances like this could make it tough for Evans to even hang onto the No. 3 spot on the depth chart ahead of Trayveon Williams.

Ward carried the ball six times for 15 yards and two touchdowns and caught both his targets for 26 yards in Friday's preseason game against the Bengals.

The third-year player out of Central Michigan was the second running back into the game for Arizona after Eno Benjamin, and Ward made the most of his opportunity by scoring a pair of one-yard TDs in the second quarter. His work on special teams could ensure he has a spot on the 53-man roster, but Ward's role on offense will likely be minimal as he seems to be at best No. 5 on the depth chart behind James Conner, Darrel Williams, Benjamin and rookie Keaontay Ingram.

Ingram carried the ball seven times for 27 yards and a touchdown and caught both his targets for 10 yards in Friday's preseason game against the Bengals.

The 2022 sixth-round pick out of USC was the third back into the game for Arizona behind an ineffective Eno Benjamin and special-teams ace Jonathan Ward, but Ingram was able to make an impact, punching in a one-yard TD late in the third quarter. His 3.9 yards per carry also led the trio of Cardinals' depth RBs as veterans James Conner and Darrel Williams got the night off. Benjamin has been drawing praise early in training camp, but if Ingram keeps out-performing him in actual game action, he could steal away the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.