NFL Player News

Phillips rushed eight times for a team-high 73 yards in Saturday's 23-16 loss to the Buccaneers in preseason Week 3.

Phillips finished the preseason as Houston's leading rusher, but it's probably not enough to unseat one of the four veteran backs ahead of him on the depth chart. Of the four, Rex Burkhead's spot is least secure, but the Texans might keep him and look to trade the 31-year-old to a team that needs a veteran back.

Mitchell rushed six times for 24 yards in Sunday's 34-10 preseason win over the Raiders.

Mitchell was serviceable in his first appearance as a pro. However, with Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, JaMycal Hasty and Wayne Gallman all excelling Sunday, it remains to be seen whether the rookie sixth-rounder has done enough to make the Niners' roster for Week 1's matchup against the Lions.

Clement rushed four times for 24 yards in Sunday's 22-20 preseason loss to the Patriots.

Clement outplayed starter Devontae Booker, who finished with just 17 yards on eight total touches. Nonetheless, as the regular season approaches, it still appears Booker is the favorite to serve as Saquon Barkley's (knee) top understudy. However, if Barkley is slowed at all, Clement could find more opportunities to see the field, beginning with Week 1's matchup versus the Broncos.

Stevenson rushed five times for 23 yards and a touchdown and caught both his targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 22-20 preseason win over the Giants.

Stevenson capped his excellent preseason with another standout performance. Although he failed on a two-point conversion attempt in the third quarter, Stevenson responded by scoring from nine yards on New England's next drive. The rookie fourth-rounder now will aim to keep his considerable momentum going in Week 1 against the Dolphins, when he'll likely be the Patriots' second rushing option behind Damien Harris.

Evans rushed three times for 10 yards and brought in one of two targets for a 29-yard touchdown in the Bengals' 29-26 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

The rookie sixth-round pick continued to flash his receiving prowess with the touchdown catch, which came early in the second quarter in connection with backup quarterback Brandon Allen. Evans has made an impression with his pass-catching skills in particular this summer despite recording a modest 49 total receptions in 42 college games at Michigan, and Sunday's score may have at least sealed him the No. 4 running back job.

Williams (hamstring) rushed nine times for 44 yards, brought in both targets for three yards and returned one kickoff for 23 yards in the Bengals' 29-26 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Williams needed to get out on the field Sunday to avoid missing the entirety of preseason and make a final case for a roster spot, and all told he did well with the opportunity. The third-year pro was solid in 10 games last season, averaging 6.0 yards per carry on his 26 rushes and adding five receptions. Given his productive performance Sunday, Williams may have assured himself a roster spot, but rookie sixth-round pick Chris Evans, arguably Williams' biggest competition for the No. 3 running back role, did flash with a 29-yard touchdown reception against Miami, while backfield mate Jacques Patrick garnered 61 total yards in his own right.

Mostert rushed seven times for 53 yards in Sunday's 34-10 preseason win over the Raiders.

Mostert garnered all of San Francisco's running-back touches on its first offensive drive and was highly efficient with his opportunities. He then saw rookie Trey Sermon incorporated on the second series, and fellow tailbacks JaMycal Hasty and Wayne Gallman shine afterward. Although Sermon should factor prominently in the 49ers' backfield rotation, Mostert seems the most likely candidate to start Week 1 versus the Lions, which would give him good upside as the leader of an often dominant running scheme.

Sermon rushed seven times for 37 yards in Sunday's 34-10 preseason win over the Raiders.

Sermon saw teammate Raheem Mostert get all the tailback touches on San Francisco's first drive before getting involved himself on the second. The rookie once again looked good, as did most of the Niners' ballcarriers, finishing with 242 rushing yards as a team. Heading into his first regular season, Sermon should be a strong option alongside Mostert in arguably the league's best rushing scheme.

Evans (knee) didn't play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Bears, Mike Moraitis of USA Today reports.

The running back still is bouncing back from a knee issue, and with Brian Hill (undisclosed) now on IR and Jeremy McNichols (undisclosed) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team's depth behind starter Derrick Henry currently is taxed. When healthy, Evans profiles as the Titans' No. 2 RB, though it's an assignment that doesn't carry much fantasy utility so long as Henry is available.

Ozigbo carried the ball 11 times for 68 yards and a touchdown and caught both his targets for 10 yards in Sunday's preseason win over the Cowboys.

The numbers look good, but Ozigbo was the fourth back into the game for the Jaguars after James Robinson, Carlos Hyde and Dare Ogunbowale handled all the first-half snaps, and Ozigbo's performance likely didn't allow him to move up the depth chart. The third-year RB spent more time on special teams than he did on offense when he was active last year, and the same is likely to be true again in 2021.