NFL Player News
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Zavier Scott RB | MIN
Vikings' Zavier Scott: Suffers ankle injury
Scott suffered an ankle injury during Friday's preseason game against the Titans.
Scott served as the starting running back for the Vikings on Friday, but none of Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason nor Ty Chandler played. He was held in check on his first few carries but ripped off a 23-yard run on the Vikings' second possession to set up a field goal. Scott looked to be wresting the third running back role away from Chandler, though both his usage and this injury cast doubt on his status heading into a Week 1 regular-season matchup against the Bears.
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Isiah Pacheco RB | KC
Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Cracks end zone Friday
Pacheco rushed three times for 21 yards and a touchdown without receiving a target in Friday's preseason loss to the Bears.
Pacheco handled the first and last touches of Kansas City's opening drive Friday, the latter of which netted him a two-yard touchdown. It is worth mentioning that veteran backup Kareem Hunt got the first crack at the goal line from three yards out on the previous carry before giving way to Pacheco. That's a scenario that could pop up during the regular season, where Pacheco has scoring opportunities poached by Hunt from in close. The 26-year-old Pacheco is still the preferred option for both his team and fantasy managers when the Chiefs take on the Chargers to open the season on Sept. 5 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Miles Sanders RB | DAL
Cowboys' Miles Sanders: Tending to shoulder injury
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Sanders didn't play in Friday's 31-13 preseason win against the Falcons due to a shoulder injury, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Sanders missed time early in training camp and the Cowboys' first exhibition due to a bruised knee. He improved enough to suit up last Saturday versus the Ravens en route to seven carries for 15 yards among his 11 offensive snaps. Sanders' injury combined with Jaydon Blue hurting his right ankle Friday leaves Javonte Williams as the sole healthy member of the team's top trio of running backs, and could open the door for Deuce Vaughn or rookie Phil Mafah to begin the season on the 53-man roster.
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Saquon Barkley RB | PHI
Eagles' Saquon Barkley: No preseason playing time
Barkley didn't play in Friday's 19-17 preseason win over the Jets.
Barkley didn't see the field in any of Philadelphia's three preseason games, as the Eagles understandably don't want to add any tread to the star running back's tires after he handled a league-high 345 regular-season carries in 2024, plus another 91 in the playoffs. History hasn't been kind to running backs in the season following such a heavy workload, but Barkley's a unique talent at the position. He'll be locked into an every-down role starting with Philadelphia's season opener against the Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 4, with Will Shipley and AJ Dillon contending for backup duties.
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Jaydon Blue RB | DAL
Cowboys' Jaydon Blue: Not returning Friday
Blue won't return to Friday's preseason game versus the Falcons due to a right ankle injury, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Blue hauled in a screen pass from Will Grier early in the fourth quarter and stayed down after being tackled, before making his way to the sideline under his own power and heading to the blue medical tent to be evaluated. Not longer afterward, the rookie fifth-rounder was ruled out, finishing his night with 25 rushing yards and a TD on nine carries and his lone reception wiped out by a penalty. Blue has been competing for a role in a Cowboys backfield that also includes Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, both of whom were DNPs on Friday.
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Jaydon Blue RB | DAL
Cowboys' Jaydon Blue: Suffers potential leg injury
Blue left the field with an apparent lower-leg injury during Friday's preseason game against the Falcons, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Blue remained on the turf after a six-yard catch early in the fourth quarter, and after making his way to the sideline under his own power, he was looked at by trainers before visiting the medical tent. The rookie fifth-round pick is vying for a role in a Cowboys backfield that's also occupied by Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, both of whom sat out Friday.
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AJ Dillon RB | PHI
Eagles' AJ Dillon: Not slated to play Friday
Dillon isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason game at the Jets, EJ Smith of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
After sitting out the 2024 season due to complications stemming from a stinger, Dillon joined the Eagles on a one-year contract in March. He then suited up for both of the team's first two exhibitions, totaling eight carries for 34 yards and four catches for 13 yards. He's been listed as Philadelphia's third RB on the unofficial depth chart behind Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley during training camp, which may not afford him much more than short-yardage work once Week 1 rolls around.
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Evan Hull RB | NO
Evan Hull: Let go by Steelers
Pittsburgh cut Hull on Friday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Hull inked a reserve/future contract with the Steelers back in January, but despite spending the entire offseason with the team he couldn't secure a spot on the initial 53-man roster. He may be a candidate to resurface on the practice squad, however.
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Jonathan Ward RB | NE
Giants' Jonathan Ward: Shines as runner, receiver Thursday
Ward tallied 29 yards on six carries and caught two of three targets for 45 yards and a touchdown in a 42-10 exhibition win against the Patriots on Thursday.
New York rested top back Tyrone Tracy and veteran backup Devin Singletary for the team's preseason finale, giving Ward a chance to get more reps. Ward did well with the opportunity, notching the team's longest run by a running back (13 yards) and averaging 4.8 YPC on his six rushes. He also scored a 41-yard receiving TD on a screen pass from Tommy DeVito late in the third quarter. With Tracy, Singletary, Cam Skattebo and Dante Miller all likely ahead of Ward on the Giants' RB depth chart, there doesn't seem to be room for the latter on the team's initial 53-man roster. However, Ward may have earned a spot on the Giants' practice squad with his solid performance Thursday.
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Dante Miller RB | NYG
Giants' Dante Miller: Makes final case for roster spot
Miller rushed 11 times for 41 yards and caught all three of his targets for 12 yards in Thursday's 42-10 preseason win over New England.
Miller was handed an opportunity to showcase his skills in New York's final exhibition, as he logged 48 percent of the team's offensive snaps and handled more carries than the Giants' other running backs combined. The results were mixed for Miller -- while he led New York with 41 rushing yards, he averaged just 3.7 yards per carry, and his longest run went for a modest eight yards. However, Miller's most impressive work during the preseason has been as a receiver out of the backfield, as he nabbed all 14 of this targets for 135 yards over the Giants' three games. Tyrone Tracy is locked in as New York's RB1, with Devin Singletary and Cam Skattebo slated to handle the bulk of the backup work. That leaves Miller battling with Eric Gray (undisclosed) for one of the team's final roster spots. Gray didn't play in any preseason contests, as he's been on the active/PUP list throughout training camp. Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post projects Miller to make New York's initial 53-man roster with Gray potentially remaining on the PUP list when the regular season kicks off.