NFL Player News
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Ray Davis RB | BUF
Bills' Ray Davis: Quiet in second preseason game
Davis was held to five yards on three carries with no receptions (one target) in Sunday's 38-0 preseason loss to Chicago.
Davis got another start with James Cook on the sidelines, but the results didn't inspire hope for much role growth now that Cook's contract dispute has been resolved. In the backup running back's defense, the offense was operating without QB Josh Allen and several key starters. It's unclear if Cook will be back in the fold for the final preseason contest, or if the team will continue to allow Davis to take the reins.
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Cody Schrader RB | DEN
Rams' Cody Schrader: Nets 15 touches on busy day
Schrader rushed 13 times for 48 yards and caught two of three targets for 24 yards during Saturday's 23-22 preseason victory against the Chargers. He also returned three kicks for 73 yards.
For the second straight preseason game, coach Sean McVay chose to take a long look at the second-year running back; Schrader led all running backs with 38 snaps on offense and was second on the team with his 13 carries. Schrader wasn't nearly as effective as he was last week, however, averaging just 3.7 YPC (the same as fourth-round rookie Jarquez Hunter, notably). The Missouri product did showcase his versatility again, managing a pair of receptions and a trio of kick returns, but his position on the Rams' running back pecking order likely didn't budge based on this performance. Schrader has one last chance to make a statement next Saturday in the Rams' preseason finale against the Browns.
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Kendre Miller RB | NO
Saints' Kendre Miller: Corralled versus Jacksonville
Miller logged six carries for 21 yards during Sunday's 17-17 preseason tie versus Jacksonville.
Miller started for the second exhibition game in a row while top running back Alvin Kamara continues to rest during the preseason. The 2023 third-round pick struggled to find much room to run due to New Orleans' spotty offensive line play. But he generated a 13-yard pickup while running through and avoiding traffic on his second carry of the game. Miller had another 12-yard gain taken off the board due to an offensive-holding penalty in the second quarter. He's yet to do much during his regular-season career, but the 2023 third-round pick looks like he has a clear hold on the No. 2 running back spot behind Kamara, as veteran backups Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Cam Akers totaled 14 rushing yards on six combined carries versus the Jaguars.
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Josh Williams RB | TB
Buccaneers' Josh Williams: Solid in preseason debut
Williams rushed five times for 21 yards and brought in his only target for 13 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Steelers on Saturday night.
The undrafted rookie missed the preseason opener against the Titans due to a hamstring strain, but his return to practice Monday foreshadowed his availability for Saturday's contest. Williams was the third running back to log a touch for the Buccaneers behind Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker, handling his first carry with 6:20 remaining in the second quarter and gaining 16 of his yards on his first pair of totes. Williams shared time with Tucker on the drive and played with both Kyle Trask and Connor Bazelak as his quarterbacks, but he's clearly no better than No. 4 on the depth chart and is battling Owen Wright and Jase McClellan for a roster spot.
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Deion Hankins RB | CHI
Bears' Deion Hankins: Limps off in preseason start
Hankins (knee) is doubtful to return to Sunday's game against the Bills, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hankins was in the concussion protocol earlier in August but had cleared it and started Sunday's preseason tilt, as the Bears opted not to play D'Andre Swift while Roschon Johnson (foot), Kyle Monangai (undisclosed) and Travis Homer (calf) are unavailable. Ian Wheeler and Brittain Brown are Chicago's remaining options at running back. Hankins had three carries for 10 yards and failed to catch his only target prior to limping off the field.
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Kyle Monangai RB | CHI
Bears' Kyle Monangai: Won't suit up Sunday
Monangai (undisclosed) isn't in uniform for Sunday's preseason game against the Bills, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Monangai's absence is presumably injury-related, as the rookie seventh-round pick is battling to make the team and even has a chance to carve out a role right away in a Bears backfield that's banged up behind starter D'Andre Swift. Biggs speculates that Monangai may have gotten hurt in Friday's joint practice with the Bills. Ian Wheeler and Brittain Brown are healthy heading into Sunday's exhibition game, as is Swift, while Monangai joins Roschon Johnson (foot), Travis Homer (calf) and Deion Hankins (concussion) among the ranks of injured Bears running backs.
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Darrynton Evans RB | BUF
Bills' Darrynton Evans: Unavailable Sunday
Evans (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's preseason matchup with the Bears, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Evans suffered a hamstring injury during the Bills' practice Friday, which will ultimately sideline him for the team's second contest of the preseason. The running back will look to return to action at some point this week in order to play in the team's preseason finale Saturday versus the Buccaneers.
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D'Andre Swift RB | CHI
Bears' D'Andre Swift: Slated to play Sunday
Swift is in line to play with the rest of the Bears' starters during Sunday's preseason game against Buffalo, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Swift did not play during last Sunday's 24-24 preseason tie versus the Dolphins, as the Bears opted not to play any of their starters during their opening exhibition. This group should get some run during this Sunday's preseason game No. 2, though it's unclear how long the first-team offense will stay on the field versus the Bills. Swift led the Bears backfield during his first season with the team in 2024, and he should once again serve as RB1 in a room that also includes third-year back Roschon Johnson (foot) and seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai.
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Tank Bigsby RB | PHI
Jaguars' Tank Bigsby: First RB into second preseason game
Bigsby rushed twice for six yards and caught his only target for 19 yards in Sunday's 17-17 preseason tie against the Saints.
It was encouraging to see Bigsby contribute as a pass catcher considering he had only seven catches last season compared to Travis Etienne's 39. Bigsby played the opening drive Sunday, which culminated in a botched handoff that was credited as a Trevor Lawrence fumble, while Etienne accumulated 32 yards on four touches on the team's second possession before the starters were removed from the game. They seem headed for a backfield split come the regular season and are currently running ahead of rookie fourth-round pick Bhayshul Tuten, who scored a second-quarter touchdown with the backups. Jacksonville's final preseason game will be Saturday against the Dolphins.
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Travis Etienne RB | JAC
Jaguars' Travis Etienne: Gets second drive after Bigsby
Etienne rushed three times for 24 yards and caught his only target for eight yards in Sunday's 17-17 preseason tie against the Saints.
All four of Etienne's touches came on Jacksonville's second drive after Tank Bigsby played the first drive, though both possessions featured the rest of the team's healthy starters, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Etienne and Bigsby appear headed for a timeshare in the regular season, though rookie fourth-round pick Bhayshul Tuten is pushing to crack that rotation and helped his case by scoring a second-quarter touchdown with the backups Sunday. Etienne's standing in the Jaguars' backfield competition is unlikely to change in the team's preseason finale against the Dolphins on Saturday.