NFL Player News

Murray still seems likely to make the Saints' Week 1 roster, but he may be competing with Devonta Freeman for a single spot, according to Larry Holder of The Athletic.

Murray was oft-mentioned in the winter as a potential offseason cap casualty, but the team kept him around after releasing other veterans in February and March. The Saints still can add around $3.3 million in cap space if Murray is traded or released before Week 1, per overthecap.com, but they might be getting a downgrade with Freeman, who is two years younger yet hasn't aged as gracefully. Both veterans lost fumbles in Saturday's preseason loss to Baltimore, while 2020 UDFA Tony Jones took seven carries for 82 yards and a touchdown. All that said, Murray has a long track record in the NFL -- playing 14 or more games in each of his seven seasons -- and he did solid work for the Saints behind Alvin Kamara the past two years. It's something to watch over the next few weeks, but for now Murray still seems likely to handle the No. 2 RB job in New Orleans.

Vaughn rushed 11 times for 27 yards and a touchdown and secured two of three targets for 10 yards in the Buccaneers' 19-14 preseason loss to the Bengals on Saturday night. He also returned three kickoffs for 42 yards.

The second-year back ended up pacing the team in carries on a night when no other back logged more than two attempts. Vaughn opened the scoring on the night with his two-yard scoring run late in the first quarter, capping off a drive in which he gained 22 yards on five touches. Scott Smith of the team's official site reports that despite the lack of efficiency on the stat sheet, Vaughn made quite the positive all-around impression in his first chance to make a case for a bigger role this season. "Ke'Shawn I thought played lights-out," said head coach Bruce Arians. "He made a hell of a play as a gunner. He ran the ball well, blocked well. I thought he made a really nice step, especially his special teams snaps. We know he can run, we know he can catch, but those plays on special teams were big for him."

Perine rushed 12 times for 30 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 12-7 preseason win over the Giants. He wasn't targeted in the passing game.

Perine only played after halftime while Ty Johnson and Michael Carter split the first-half workload. That usage suggests Perine's currently behind both of those guys, and likely Tevin Coleman -- who sat out the preseason opener -- on the running back depth chart. The 2020 fourth-round pick didn't find much running room but managed to punch in a four-yard score in the third quarter for the Jets' only touchdown of the night. Perine and the Jets will face the Packers in Week 2 of preseason.

Hubbard rushed seven times for 80 yards in Sunday's 21-18 preseason loss to the Colts.

Hubbard put his athleticism on display by ripping off a 59-yard scamper that made up most of his rushing contributions. On the flip side, he was only able to corral one of four passing targets for two yards. Christian McCaffrey figures to dominate the backfield touches -- both on the ground and through the air -- so the competition between Hubbard and Reggie Bonnafon likely will be for insurance and not much else.

Mack (Achilles) rushed four times for 12 yards and caught one pass for three more yards in Sunday's 21-18 preseason win over the Panthers.

Mack has been recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon that happened back in Week 1 of the 2020 season. The fact that the veteran back was even out there in the first preseason contest is a positive sign that his leg is back to 100 percent. In his absence, Jonathan Taylor took over as the Colts' workhorse, which leaves Mack primarily as a backup rusher (with Nyheim Hines serving as the receiving back).

Moss (hamstring) is expected to work on the side at Sunday's practice with the aim to have him ready to play Saturday at Chicago, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Moss sustained a hamstring injury Wednesday that has kept him out in the meantime, including from Friday's exhibition opener at Detroit. Assuming he's able to make it all the way back next weekend, he likely would split the RB reps given to the first-teamers with Devin Singletary, with newcomer Matt Breida serving in a change-of-pace role.

Coach Joe Judge said Sunday that he doesn't expect Barkley (knee) to be a part of live drills during upcoming joint practices with the Browns, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Since the Giants activated Barkley from the PUP list last Monday, he's been limited to individual work on the field, which he's "responded well" to, according to Judge. Judge relayed he'll meet with the medical staff later Sunday to discuss the next step in Barkley's recovery, per Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site, but it clearly won't involve any specific drills with his teammates just yet. The team has two exhibitions left on the schedule -- Sunday, Aug. 22 at Cleveland and Sunday, Aug. 29 versus the Patriots -- but Barkley seems far more likely to suit up in the regular season, barring a change in Judge's tone surrounding the stud running back.

Hines, who suffered a leg injury at Thursday's practice, was in uniform fielding kicks prior to Sunday's preseason opener against the Panthers, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Hines previously relayed that he was fine following his early exit from Thursday's session, a notion confirmed by his presence on the field Sunday. It remains to be seen, however, how much work the change-of-pace back might see versus Carolina, given that the Colts are expected to rest a number of key players, per Erickson.

Taylor isn't expected to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Panthers, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

There's little reason for coach Frank Reich to put the engine of the Colts offense in danger in the team's very first exhibition, especially with jockeying taking place for spots on the depth chart behind Taylor. It's unclear if veteran running back Marlon Mack will join Taylor, but with Nyheim Hines (leg) tending to an injury Indy may ride Jordan Wilkins, Benny LeMay, Deon Jackson and Darius Anderson out of the backfield Sunday.

Johnson had five carries for 14 yards and caught two of three targets for 28 yards in Saturday's 23-13 win over Jacksonville in preseason Week 1.

Neither Nick Chubb nor Kareem Hunt played the exhibition opener, so Johnson got the start for the Browns, which is understandable as the team's third back on the depth chart. Notably, Johnson didn't return kicks or punts, but that could be attributed to Johnson having to play a heavy load (for preseason) on offense.