NFL Player News
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Jashaun Corbin RB | NE
Falcons' Jashaun Corbin: Just one carry Friday
Corbin had one rushing attempt for one yard and no targets in Friday's exhibition against the Lions.
Corbin was the first back to receive a carry with starter Bijan Robinson and primary backup Tyler Allgeier sitting out Friday's contest. Unfortunately for Corbin, who led the UFL in rushing with 514 yards this past spring as a member of the San Antonio Brahmas, the one-yard tote wound up being the 25-year-old's only touch of the evening. Corbin will look to get more run in next Friday's preseason tilt against the Titans as he attempts to earn a roster spot with Atlanta.
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Lan Larison RB | NE
Patriots' Lan Larison: Seen with walking boot
Larison was spotted wearing a walking boot following the Patriots' 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders on Friday, Michael Giardi of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.
Larison went back to the locker room shortly after scoring the Patriots' final touchdown of the game at the 3:25 mark in the fourth quarter, per Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. The walking boot might be a precautionary measure. However, he'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury, but the undrafted rookie is in danger of missing the Patriots' second preseason contest against the Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 16. Larison finished Friday's game with seven carries for 35 yards and two catches on as many targets for nine yards.
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Nate Carter RB | ATL
Falcons' Nathan Carter: Leads backfield with 12 yards
Carter rushed three times for 12 yards and failed to bring in his lone target in Friday's preseason game against the Lions.
Carter wound up leading the Falcons in rushing despite seeing just three carries Friday. Jashaun Corbin received the first carry of the night but gained just one yard on what would be his only tote. Both tailbacks are fighting for reserve spots behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier this upcoming season. Carter's next opportunity to showcase his skills this preseason will come against the Titans next Friday.
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Rico Dowdle RB | CAR
Panthers' Rico Dowdle: Makes impact as receiver Friday
Dowdle gained seven rushing yards on three carries and caught his only target for 20 yards in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Browns.
The former Cowboy made his debut in a Panthers uniform after signing a one-year contract in March, and Dowdle flashed his three-down skill set by connecting with Andy Dalton on a big gain early in the second quarter. As expected, Dowdle appears to be behind incumbent starter Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart, but with both players having gained over 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 for their respective teams and Dowdle posting better numbers as a receiver, he figures to still have a substantial role in Carolina's offense.
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Chuba Hubbard RB | CAR
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Brief cameo in preseason opener
Hubbard gained 10 rushing yards on three carries and failed to catch his only target during Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Browns.
The fifth-year running back got the start but handled only a handful of snaps before giving way to Rico Dowdle midway through the first quarter. While the limited usage is a good sign that Hubbard's spot atop the depth chart isn't in any jeopardy, it's still uncertain how coach Dave Canales plans to split the backfield workload this season after the Panthers signed Dowdle in March. Both backs are coming off 1,000-yard campaigns -- Dowdle with Dallas, and Hubbard with Carolina -- but the latter's familiarity with the offense should keep him in the driver's seat for the bigger role come Week 1.
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Jacory Croskey-Merritt RB | WAS
Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Eight touches in preseason loss
Croskey-Merritt rushed seven times for 24 yards and caught his only target for eight yards in Friday's 48-18 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Croskey-Merritt had been drawing rave reviews for his performance in training camp but failed to stand out Friday, though he was notably the first running back in the game for Washington while Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler were resting. The rookie seventh-round pick out of Arizona is competing for the third spot on Washington's running back depth chart with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez. McNichols scored a rushing touchdown in the third quarter Friday. The race for a roster spot is too close to call at this stage, so all three of Croskey-Merritt, McNichols and Rodriguez will likely get chances to bolster their respective cases Aug. 18 against the Bengals in the Commanders' next preseason game.
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Dylan Sampson RB | CLE
Browns' Dylan Sampson: Limited touches in Friday's start
Sampson gained six rushing yards on two carries and failed to haul in his only target in Friday's 30-10 preseason win over the Panthers.
The 2025 fourth-round pick got the start in the Browns' exhibition opener with Jerome Ford being held out along with the other starters, and fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins still unsigned and away from the team due to off-field issues. Sampson didn't do much, but he was only on the field for Cleveland's first two drives before checking out of the contest. The limited snaps suggest that coach Kevin Stefanski may already be comfortable with Sampson's role in the offense and doesn't need the Tennessee product to prove himself, or risk injury, during the preseason. With Ford having flopped last season when he got a chance to establish himself as the team's starting RB, and Judkins' status still murky for Week 1, the door could be opening for Sampson to handle a significant role right out of the gate when the regular season begins.
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Antonio Gibson RB | NE
Patriots' Antonio Gibson: Seven touches in preseason opener
Gibson rushed six times for 26 yards and caught his only target for 11 yards in Friday's 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders. He also had a 62-yard kickoff return.
Gibson was the third running back into the game for New England behind TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. It will likely take an injury to one of those two alternatives for Gibson to see significant action on offense in the regular season, but he seems to have a firm grasp on the third spot on the depth chart heading into the Patriots' second preseason game against the Vikings on Aug. 16.
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Rhamondre Stevenson RB | NE
Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Seven carries in preseason opener
Stevenson rushed seven times for 36 yards and wasn't targeted in Friday's 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders.
The Patriots showcased the potential breakdown in roles between Stevenson and rookie second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson on their first few drives. Stevenson handled most of the carries to keep the offense on schedule while Henderson showed off his speed in space, turning one carry and three targets into 30 offensive yards in addition to scoring a touchdown on the opening kickoff. Stevenson figures to remain a key contributor in what projects to be a run-heavy Patriots offense despite the addition of Henderson. New England's next preseason game is Aug. 16 in Minnesota.
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TreVeyon Henderson RB | NE
Patriots' TreVeyon Henderson: Kicks off career with return TD
Henderson rushed once for 18 yards and caught all three of his targets for 12 yards in Friday's 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders. He also scored a 100-yard kickoff-return touchdown.
Henderson made an instant impact in his NFL debut, taking the opening kickoff back for a 100-yard touchdown. He also split snaps with Rhamondre Stevenson for the next two drives while the first-team offense was in the game. Henderson's pass-catching skills and ability to make defenders miss in space should help the rookie second-round pick play a prominent role on offense out of the gate as the speedy complement to Stevenson's bruising running style. Henderson will look to build on this strong first impression when the Patriots travel to Minnesota on Aug. 16 for their next preseason game.