NFL Player News

Dolphins reserve running backs Mike Gillislee and Jonas Gray received the bulk of the work in the team's second preseason game Friday against the Jaguars.

Gillislee paced the team with 37 yards on 12 carries, while Gray proved to be the team's top option at the goal line. Gray scored twice from 1 yard out, while finishing the game with 32 yards on 14 carries. 

Raiders rookie running back Latavius Murray appeared to be behind Rashad Jennings in the battle for the backup running back spot in Friday's preseason opener against the Cowboys. 

Murray did not work with the first-team offense, as he entered the game in the second half. He finished second on the team with eight carries, and third with 29 rushing yards. Jennings rushed nine times for 39 yards. 

Murray was thought to possibly be in the lead for the backup role at the start of training camp, but his workload indicates he has fallen behind. 

Patriots running back Shane Vereen found pay dirt Friday night during the preseason opener against the Eagles. Vereen, who only saw three carries in the game for 12 yards, hauled in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady in the first quarter to make the score 14-7 Patriots.

Vereen finished the game with two grabs for 18 yards and the TD. He was targeted four times overall in the passing game for New England.

Vereen caught eight passes last year for 149 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for three scores on 62 attempts for 251 yards.

Panthers running back Kenjon Barner, who entered Friday's preseason game with Chicago as the No. 2 back on the depth chart, shined against the Bears.

Barner tied for the team lead in carries with nine. He rushed for a team-high 37 yards and scored in the game. Barner scored on a 5-yard run in the second quarter to make it 14-10 Carolina at the time.

Barner looked good as Jonathan Stewart (ankle) and Mike Tolbert (hamstring) are dealing with injuries.

Vikings rookie receiver Cordarrelle Patterson made an impressive preseason debut Friday night against the Texans.

Patterson nearly broke the opening kickoff for a touchdown and was brought down after a 50-yard gain. He made his first appearance on offense after the team's opening drive and showed good chemistry with backup quarterback Matt Cassel. He was targeted eight times and finished with four catches for 54 yards in a 27-13 defeat.

"He's really looked pretty good out there running routes and catching balls," head coach Leslie Frazier said at halftime. "That kickoff was pretty nice as well, so he's off to a good start."

For the second straight game, Dolphins presumptive backup running back Daniel Thomas saw more carries than Lamar Miller in Friday's preseason game against the Jaguars.

Thomas showed much more burst this time around, rushing for 19 yards on four carries. He seemed to spark life into the team's offense in their third drive, the only one in which the first-team offense scored. He rushed three times and picked up 19 yards on that drive.

Thomas has rushed for 24 yards on eight carries through the first two preseason games, while doubling Miller's total in carries. 

Raiders running back Darren McFadden could be set up for a big pay day if things work out for him this season, reports NFL.com.

The report says new offensive coordinator Greg Olson's power running system should be a big boost.

"Obviously he never felt comfortable in what we were doing last year," coach Dennis Allen said. "That led to some questions about him, but if you watch practice, the guy's still explosive. He's still a threat to take it all the way. And he feels more comfortable. If you don't quite trust it, there's always that doubt."

McFadden is entering a contract year, and the team has "checked in with him" about an extension. But McFadden wants to return to his old self and be in a position to command big dollars after the season, rather than talk now.

Panthers rookie running back Kenjon Barner is making a good impression in training camp and could end up playing a role in Carolina's backfield this year, reports the Charlotte Observer.

With Jonathan Stewart (ankle) hurt and Mike Tolbert (hamstring) banged up, Barner heads into the start of preseason action No. 2 on the depth chart behind DeAngelo Williams.

"Did I expect it? I never expect anything," Barner said of the reps he's gotten in training camp. "That’s kind of been my thing for as long as I can remember. I go in with no preconceived notions of what it's going to be like. But was I working toward it? Yes. And that’s what you have to do. You have to work in order to get what you want in this game. By me working I wanted to get those extra reps, and hopefully by showing those coaches my work day-in and day-out, I hope I've earned it."

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce injured his knee during Thursday's preseason game at Tampa Bay, but the Baltimore Sun reports it is not considered serious.

Pierce appeared to hurt his left knee when he was hit in the end zone following his 20-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. He had his knee wrapped after the game and is expected to get further treatment Friday.

Unheralded Broncos running back C.J. Anderson was the standout performer in Thursday's preseason opener against the 49ers, albeit while playing with and against second-team performers.

Anderson, an undrafted back out of Cal, led the team with 69 yards on 15 carries, while working the entire second half of the game.

Anderson is fourth on the depth chart at best for the Broncos right now, and he admitted after his solid performance he is going to make a place on the roster for himself in places beyond the backfield.

"I'm really serious about this special teams thing," Anderson told the Denver Post. "I've never played it before, so some things are new, live in your face. I'll just go look at the film, work on it, and I'll be alright. I've just got to keep my head down and keep grinding. You just try to fit your way when you can and when you're out there take advantage of your opportunity."