NFL Player News

During Friday's scrimmage, Tuten started the first drive with the Jaguars' offense with LeQuint Allen mixing in on third down, then Chris Rodriguez started the second drive before rotating with Tuten, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Shipley notes that the Jaguars subsequently settled into a rotation where Tuten would open the drives, Rodriguez would come on the field when the team was within the 10-yard line, and then Allen would play all of the third downs. While this remains an ongoing job battle as Rodriguez works his way back from a foot injury, the scrimmage did at least provide some hints on how the Jaguars could approach their backfield workload come Week 1. For now, things seem to trending toward a committee approach that could result in Tuten and Rodriguez forming a 1A/1B combo, with Allen as a change-of-pace option.

Dillon rushed three times for 18 yards and a touchdown and secured his only target for 18 yards in the Panthers' 33-30 preseason win over the Cardinals on Thursday.

Dillon's first three touches came in consecutive fashion early in the second quarter, as he rattled off his 18-yard reception and then gained four yards on his first run of the night. The veteran back followed it up with a one-yard touchdown run on the next play, and his final rush attempt of the night resulted in a game-long 13-yard run to start the following possession. Dillon was the second back in the game behind Trevor Etienne, and the former will look to continue making a strong impression in the Panthers' second preseason game on the road against the Bills on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Knight rushed 12 times for 60 yards in the Cardinals' 33-30 preseason loss to the Panthers on Thursday. He also fumbled once but recovered.

The journeyman back is looking to run it back with the Cardinals after making a positive impression during an injury-riddled 2025 for the Arizona backfield. Knight started Thursday's game and saw action into the first drive of the second half, fumbling at the end of his longest run of the night -- 15 yards -- late in the second quarter but falling back on the ball. Knight finished as the team leader in rushing yards, but he figures to have an uphill battle to stick on the final roster in a very crowded running back room headlined by rookie first-round pick Jeremiyah Love along with Tyler Allgeier, James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson.

Etienne started the Panthers' 33-30 preseason win over the Cardinals on Thursday, rushing four times for 12 yards and bringing in his only target for minus-1 yard.

With Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks both getting the night off, Etienne was the first back on the field for the Panthers and logged touches on each of the first three drives. He netted 12 yards via back-to-back runs on Carolina's third possession, but he was ultimately outperformed by both Miles Davis and veteran AJ Dillon after exiting the game. Etienne appeared in all 17 regular-season games as a rookie in 2025 and contributed 107 scrimmage yards, but he also added value on special teams with 733 kickoff-return yards and 163 yards on punt returns. Etienne will continue attempting to make a case for a role behind Hubbard and Brooks in Carolina's second preseason game, which unfolds Saturday, Aug. 15 on the road against the Bills.

GM Brian Gutekunst said Thursday that the Packers continue to be "pretty cautious" with Lloyd in the early stages of training camp, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

A 2024 third-round pick, Lloyd has made only one appearance as a pro due to a cascade of health concerns through his first two seasons. Despite entering training camp at full health, as coach Matt LaFleur told Ryan Wood of USA Today last Wednesday, Lloyd so far has displayed his speed and explosiveness, including running a seam route 25 yards downfield earlier this week. With Emanuel Wilson moving on in free agency in the offseason, Lloyd's main competition for the No. 2 RB job behind starter Josh Jacobs (groin) is Chris Brooks, who currently resides on the active/non-football injury list due to a hamstring issue.

Miller (back) did not participate at the Saints' training camp practice Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Miller was able to log a limited session Wednesday, but he took a step back Thursday, ultimately spending the day on the sidelines as he continues to nurse a back injury. Head coach Kellen Moore described the running back as "day-to-day" ahead of Friday's practice session.

The Lions and Gibbs (back) agreed to terms on a three-year extension Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The $67.5 million deal can be worth up to $75.75 million and includes $51.5 million guaranteed, barely surpassing Bijan Robinson's extension (three years, $66.75 million and $51 million guaranteed) with the Falcons from earlier this week to make the former the highest-paid running back in the NFL. Gibbs has racked up 3,768 yards from scrimmage and 38 touchdowns in 34 regular-season games over the last two campaigns, so the investment made in him by Detroit is warranted. He'll continue to operate as the engine of the Lions offense for the foreseeable future.

Gibbs (back) and the Lions have made substantial progress on a three-year contract extension that would make him the highest-paid running back in the league, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports Thursday.

According to Schultz, a deal could get done as soon as Thursday. Gibbs has been limited to conditioning work in practice amid ongoing contract negotiations with the Lions, but the star running back could begin practicing as soon as a deal is reached, assuming his minor back issue is behind him. In order to become the NFL's highest-paid running back, Gibbs would need to exceed the three-year, $66.75 million contract Bijan Robinson signed with the Falcons on Tuesday, which included $51 million guaranteed.

Rodriguez had his most active practice of training camp thus far Thursday, according to John Shipley of SI.com.

Per Shipley, where Rodriguez, who took several carries in team drills, stood out the most Thursday was when the Jaguars ran plays backed up at their own 1-yard line, a scenario in which all of Rodriguez's carries went for positive yards during the session. Shipley adds that the free-agent addition, who profiles as a power back, could carve out a key role when it comes to goal-line carries, an area that fellow RB Bhayshul Tuten made his mark in last season. In any case, looking ahead to Week 1, a committee approach featuring Tuten and Rodriguez seems a likely outcome, with LeQuint Allen also in the mix to handle complementary backfield touches.

Jacobs isn't practicing Thursday due to a groin injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jacobs' injury isn't believed to be anything concerning, per Schneidman. The star running back continues to top a Packers depth chart that also includes MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks (hamstring). Jacobs' participation level at training camp will bear monitoring, but he isn't expected to see extensive preseason action even if fully healthy. The Packers will kick off their preseason slate Aug. 13 against the Steelers.