NFL Player News

Pierce, who got a rest day during Thursday's joint practice with the Panthers, is expected to be held out of Saturday's preseason game against Carolina, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pierce has recently split first-team reps with Nick Chubb when not receiving a rest day, but the Texans appear to be taking a cautious approach to his workload, given that a quad injury kept him on the active/PUP list until Aug. 4. With Joe Mixon (foot) still on the active/non-football injury list and not set to be re-evaluated until closer to the start of the regular season, Pierce is competing with Chubb and rookie fourth-rounder Woody Marks for a potentially significant Week 1 opportunity.

Chubb (concussion), who handled the bulk of first-team reps during joint practices with the Panthers on Thursday, is expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against Carolina, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Chubb, who has now fully cleared the concussion protocol, has handled the bulk of first-team reps throughout training camp with Joe Mixon (lower leg) still on the active/non-football injury list. He's split those reps with Dameon Pierce, who was held out of Thursday's joint practice and appears on track to get a rest day Saturday. Chubb made a handful of explosive plays at practice Thursday, an encouraging development given that he's coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries. A strong showing versus Carolina would boost Chubb's standing in Houston's backfield, wherein he, Pierce, and rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks are all working to make their case for the Week 1 starting gig in the event that Mixon isn't ready to go.

Blue is no longer using a walking boot, but he has yet to participate in practice since suffering a bone bruise in his heel last week, Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com reports.

Without practice reps, it's unlikely the rookie running back with suit up for Saturday's preseason game with the Ravens, although the Cowboys won't make a determination on his status until doing pregame testing on his foot. Blue was making a good impression early in training camp, but until he gets back on the field it will be difficult for him to present a serious challenge to Javonte Williams' spot at the top of the depth chart.

Prosecutors have declined to file a formal misdemeanor battery charge against Judkins stemming from a July 12 incident in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

As a result of the incident, Judkins was arrested on a domestic violence and battery charge, but Andy Slater of FoxSports640 notes that prosecutors have declined to move forward with the case. Judkins, who the Browns selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, remains unsigned ahead of Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles, with NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy noting Thursday that the league has "been following developments in the matter which remains under review."

Coach Mike Tomlin noted Thursday that the same players (with the possible exception of LB Nick Herbig) who sat out last weekend's game against the Jaguars -- a group that included Warren -- are not in line to see action in this Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com and Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site report.

Along with Warren, that's a group that includes QB Aaron Rodgers, WRs DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin (abdomen) and TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith (knee). Meanwhile, rookie RB Kaleb Johnson is on track to see snaps Saturday, as he did versus Jacksonville, per Pryor. As the regular season approaches, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic suggests that Warren likely will get the first chance to be the Steelers' lead back early on, but Johnson should remain in the mix, nonetheless, with Kenneth Gainwell on hand as well.

Herbert (undisclosed) isn't practicing Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Herbert hasn't practiced since playing in last Thursday's preseason opener against the Ravens, in which he rushed seven times for 29 yards and a touchdown. He's competing with Tyler Goodson and DJ Giddens for a depth role behind Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis' backfield.

Abanikanda (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Abanikanda's back after missing practice Tuesday and Wednesday. He's one of seven running backs currently with the team, but Abanikanda's unlikely to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, though a practice-squad spot is a more realistic possibility.

Sampson was the first running back through the rotation both Wednesday and Thursday during joint practices with the Eagles, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Sampson started Cleveland's preseason opener and took two carries for six yards, although it didn't mean much with most of the key veterans -- including RB Jerome Ford -- being held out. The first-team reps in practice are a better sign, especially with no report of Ford being injured, potentially hinting at a rotation between the two RBs early in the season. Fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned -- and uncertain to play this season -- after a July arrest for domestic violence charges.

Warren suggested Tuesday that he expects to play in Saturday's preseason game against Tampa Bay.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hadn't announced anything as of Thursday morning, but it would follow his pattern from past seasons if he played most of his healthy starters in the second preseason game. While it remains to be seen if Warren is technically a starter come Week 1, there's no doubt he'll be a big part of the offense. Starter or not, his workload will partially depend on the progress of rookie Kaleb Johnson, who took nine touches for 26 yards in the preseason opener while playing extensively with Pittsburgh's backups. The presence of QB Aaron Rodgers could also be a factor, as he has a well-documented preference for veteran teammates and recently told reporters that he thinks Warren can be a three-down back, per Nick Farabaugh and John Luciew of Penn Live. That said, Rodgers' preferences might also work in favor of free-agent addition Kenneth Gainwell, another veteran RB with plenty of experience on passing downs.

Sanders participated in team drills Wednesday for the first time in more than a week, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.

The veteran running back returned to practice Tuesday after missing time with a knee issue, and he was a full participant Wednesday. Sanders remains behind Javonte Williams on the Cowboys' backfield depth chart, and he was being pushed by rookie Jaydon Blue (heel) earlier in camp before the 2025 fifth-round pick was sidelined last week. Given that he only signed a one-year, $1.34 million contract with the team back in March, Sanders isn't a lock to have a significant role in the offense.