NFL Player News

Henderson gained 20 yards and a touchdown on four carries in Saturday's 20-12 preseason win over the Vikings. He failed to catch his only target.

After an electric kickoff-return TD in the Patriots' exhibition opener last weekend, Henderson found paydirt again Saturday, this time on an eight-yard run on the team's second possession of the afternoon that saw the rookie running back demonstrate both patience and his ability to power though contact. Rhamondre Stevenson (undisclosed) remains atop the depth chart, but it may just be a show of deference to the veteran after Henderson was selected 38th overall in the 2025 Draft to be one of the centerpieces of the offense.

Giddens rushed six times for 28 yards, brought in one of three targets for nine yards and returned one kickoff for 27 yards in the Colts' 23-19 preseason loss to the Packers on Saturday afternoon.

Giddens was the beneficiary of an early exit by Tyler Goodson (elbow), which led to the former seeing enough opportunity to finish with a team-high rushing yardage total. Giddens, a rookie fifth-round pick who exceeded 1,200 rushing yards in each of his last two college seasons, was reasonably productive with his touches, and he offered a solid gain on his one kickoff return. Veteran Khalil Herbert, seemingly Giddens' biggest competition for the No. 3 running back job, remained out with an undisclosed injury Saturday, so the versatile first-year back appears to be in an increasingly good position to latch on to a roster spot.

Wilson rushed five times for 33 yards and brought in one of two targets for 32 yards in the Packers' 23-19 preseason win over the Colts on Saturday afternoon. He also lost a fumble.

Wilson remains locked in a battle for the No. 2 running back job with MarShawn Lloyd, and the former was clearly the more efficient of the two on the ground Saturday. Wilson entered the game after Lloyd and took his first carry with 14:40 remaining in the first half, going on to record his 32-yard reception two plays later and eventually ripping off nine- and 11-yard runs. However, Wilson also short-circuited the second possession he was in on with a lost fumble at the Packers' 38-yard line, setting up a Colts field goal. Wilson has never lost a fumble across 152 regular-season touches in his first two seasons, however, so the miscue shouldn't affect him in the job battle with one preseason game still remaining.

Johnson carried the ball six times for 20 yards in Saturday's 22-13 preseason loss to the Browns.

The undrafted rookie out of Florida missed time at the end of training camp due to a minor hamstring strain, but Johnson suited up Saturday and was the second running back into the game for the Eagles after AJ Dillon. Johnson ended up leading Philadelphia in rushing yards on a poor day overall for the offense, although he failed to convert a two-point conversion late in the second quarter, but the most important takeaway was that he showed he was healthy. He's unlikely to crack the gameday roster for Week 1, but given their similar early-down skill sets, Johnson could find himself stashed on the practice squad in case Dillon isn't able to stay on the field after he missed the entire 2024 campaign with Green Bay due to neck issues.

Dillon carried the ball three times for seven yards and lost 14 yards on his only reception in Saturday's 22-13 preseason loss to the Browns.

The former Packer got the start with Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley both held out, and Dillon played only one drive himself before turning the Eagles' backfield over to Montrell Johnson. The burly back's hold on a roster spot seems secure, despite his questionable decision to catch a deflected ball well behind the line of scrimmage rather than batting it down for an incompletion, but Dillon's biggest challenge will remain staying healthy after he missed the entire 2024 season due to neck issues. He should provide the thunder to Shipley's lightning on the rare occasions Barkley is off the field for Philadelphia.

Etienne rushed seven times for 18 yards, brought in his only target for seven yards and ran back two kickoffs for 45 yards in the Panthers' 20-3 preseason loss to the Texans on Saturday afternoon.

The rookie was the third back in behind Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, and although he managed just modest gains on the ground, he offered reasonable production with his touches as a receiver and returner. Etienne appears to be in line to open the regular season in the same slotting in the backfield pecking order that was featured Saturday, while also potentially seeing time as a returner on occasion.

Gordon rushed 10 times for 50 yards during Miami's 24-17 preseason win over Detroit on Saturday.

Gordon has looked like the Dolphins' best running back in two consecutive preseason matchups, with his performance Saturday having been vastly superior to Jaylen Wright's four carries for three yards. Head coach Mike McDaniel said Saturday that De'Von Achane (lower body) has a soft-tissue injury, and though he said the starting running back's issue isn't serious, that should provide a window for Gordon and Wright to handle the bulk of first-team reps for the immediate future, as well as potentially start the team's preseason finale against Jacksonville next Saturday. The Dolphins recently placed Alexander Mattison (neck) on season-ending IR due to an injury sustained in the exhibition opener, paving an easier path for one of Gordon or Wright to secure the No. 2 backfield role.

Wright rushed four times for three yards during Miami's 24-17 preseason win over the Lions on Saturday.

Wright also fumbled once, though it was recovered by the Dolphins' offense. While Wright struggled to get anything going Saturday, rookie Ollie Gordon impressed with 10 carries for 50 yards, with a long scamper of 19 yards. With Alexander Mattison (neck) done for the year, Wright is competing for a potentially significant role behind starter De'Von Achane (lower body), but unless he can close out the preseason strong during Miami's preseason finale against the Jaguars on Sat., Aug. 23, he could lose tangible ground to Gordon. With Achane now managing a lower body soft-tissue injury, both Wright and Gordon figure to benefit from increased first-team reps at practice next week.

Blue (heel) isn't expected to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Blue suffered a bone bruise in his heel Aug. 7 and has been sidelined in the meantime. With absences in both of the Cowboys' exhibitions to date, the rookie fifth-round pick will have just one more chance for game action ahead of Week 1 this coming Friday against the Falcons. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders will continue to handle first-team reps for as long as Blue is sidelined.

Marks rushed seven times for 40 yards and brought in his only target for no gain in the Texans' 20-3 preseason win over the Panthers on Saturday afternoon.

Marks entered the game after starter Nick Chubb and finished as the team leader in rushing yards on the afternoon. The rookie fourth-round pick started off hot by gaining 19 rushing yards on his first two carries, and he put together a strong effort overall in his quest to solidify a meaningful spot in the backfield pecking order come the regular season. Joe Mixon (ankle/foot) remains on the active/non-football injury list with no definitive return timeline, so Marks could certainly be looking at a No. 3 spot at minimum to open the 2025 campaign.