NFL Player News

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin looked sharp during his limited work Saturday night against Miami in exhibition play.

Martin worked the first three series with the first-team offense and played into the second quarter. He took six handoffs for 24 yards, averaging 4.0 yards per attempt. His longest gain was an 8-yard dash on the second drive of the game. He also caught one pass for 4 yards.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce rushed for 55 yards on just sevn carries in Saturday's 37-30 preseason win over the Cowboys.

Pierce entered halftime with just 25 yards but returned to the field on the first drive of the second half and ripped off a 30-yard run in his last touch of the night. He didn't haul in his only target in the passing game. Pierce is looking at a large workload over the team's first two regular-season games with Ray Rice out, and his playing time upon the return of Rice will likely depend on what he does in those two games.

Dolphins wide receiver Damien Williams bounced back from a injury scare his last time out and returned to action Saturday against Tampa Bay in preseason play. Williams had 11 carries for 20 yards and a touchdown. He also caught one pass for a gain of 4 yards.

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters postgame that he believes running back Isaiah Pead tore his ACL on Saturday, per FOX Sports.

Pead ran back a kickoff for 33 yards in the opening quarter. He made a cut up field and his leg buckled, which appeared to have caused the non-contact injury. He will have an MRI on Sunday to determine the extent of the injury.

The following players will not suit up for the Buccaneers Saturday night against the Dolphins in preseason action: Da'Quan Bowers, Steven Means, Mike Jenkins, Alterraun Verner, Charles Sims and Damaso Munoz. 

According to the team's official website, the following players will not dress for the Dolphins against the Buccaneers Saturday night: Mike Gillislee, Knowshon Moreno, Daniel Thomas, Charles Clay, Micajah Reynolds, Mike Pouncey, Jason Fox, Arthur Lynch, Gator Hoskins and A.J. Francis.

Rams running back Isaiah Pead was helped off the field and later carted to the locker room with an apparent left knee injury Saturday against the Packers in preseason action.

Pead ran back a kickoff for 33 yards in the opening quarter. He made a cut up field and his leg buckled, which appeared to have caused the non-contact injury. Pead has been relegated to the No. 4 running back on the team and is fighting to earn meaningful snaps in the preseason. He will have an MRI on Sunday to determine the extent of the injury, NFL Network reports.

49ers running back LaMichael James ditched the elbow brace, according to Comcast SportsNet Bay Area on Saturday. James has been limited in practice in the last two games and is still waiting to be medically cleared for contact.

"I'm good," James said. "I can definitely play. I don’t have a brace on. I got rid of it. It shows weakness."

With Ryan Mathews sidelined, Chargers running backs Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead each saw a healthy share of work Friday night against Seattle in exhibition play.

Brown got the start and ripped runs for 4 and 5 yards before Woodhead got his first touch of the night on the opening drive. Brown finished with four carries for 16 yards and two catches for 13 yards and three targets. Woodhead rushed for a 24 yards on six carries. He also caught one pass from Kellen Clemens for a gain of 5 yards. Both players were lifted after one half of work.

According to U-T San Diego, the following players were held out for the Chargers against the Seahawks in exhibition play on Friday: Running back Ryan Mathews (healthy scratch), wide receiver Vincent Brown (calf), defensive end Lawrence Guy (shoulder), defensive end Damik Scafe (undisclosed) and outside linebacker Dwight Freeney (healthy scratch).