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Israel Abanikanda RB | DAL
Packers' Israel Abanikanda: Finds paydirt for Packers
Abanikanda had 12 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 23-10 preseason victory over the Jets. He also returned five kicks for 120 yards in the contest.
It was a busy Saturday afternoon for Abanikanda, who in addition to being busy on specials teams, led the Packers in both carries and rushing yards. Abanikanda's chances of securing a roster spot will improve if MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) misses any sort of significant time, but he is still presumably behind both Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks -- and of course, starter Josh Jacobs -- on the depth chart.
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Brian Robinson Jr. RB | ATL
Commanders' Brian Robinson: Won't suit up vs. Bengals
Robinson will not play during Monday's preseason game against Cincinnati amid ongoing speculation about him being on the trade block, Commanders writer Ben Standig reports.
Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie deal and has rushed for over 700 yards in three straight campaigns for Washington, having handled 187 carries for a career-high 799 yards (4.3 YPC) and eight touchdowns across 14 regular-season games in 2024. That Robinson won't take the field Monday alongside second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels lends more credence to rumors that Washington is willing to move on from the 2022 third-round pick via trade, as Jeremy Brener of SI.com reports, and potentially move forward with Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez and rookie training camp standout Jacory Croskey-Merritt (shoulder) atop the depth chart instead. Per Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports, the decision for Robinson to sit out Monday's preseason game is mutual between the running back and the team.
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Jaydon Blue RB | DAL
Cowboys' Jaydon Blue: Optimism for preseason finale
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that Blue (heel) is "trending positively," and the team is optimistic about his chances of suiting up for Friday's preseason finale against the Falcons, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Blue is still vying for a chance to make his preseason debut, and Friday's matchup against Atlanta represents his final chance to log exhibition reps. The rookie fifth-round pick hasn't practiced since sustaining a bone bruise in his heel Aug. 7, but it appears he's now ready to begin ramping up his activity level. Early in training camp, Blue had gotten some opportunities with the first-team offense and reportedly put together a few strong practices, and once he's back to full health he'll resume competing with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders for backfield opportunities.
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Quinshon Judkins RB | CLE
Browns' Quinshon Judkins: Signing on hold
While Judkins won't face any charges stemming from a July 12 incident in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he and the Browns have been unable to reach a deal and may not do so until the end of any NFL investigation, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com in a statement last Thursday, an NFL spokesperson noted that the league has been "following developments in the matter which remains under review." With the 2025 second-rounder's signing currently on hold, the Browns' top available backfield options ahead of the team's preseason finale are Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson.
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Rhamondre Stevenson RB | NE
Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Practices with non-contact jersey
Stevenson (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.
Stevenson, who didn't play in this past Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings, had been managing an unspecified injury that wasn't considered significant, and the running back's return to the field Monday aligns with that, though Callahan notes that Stevenson was sporting a non-contact jersey during the session. With that in mind, it's unclear if Stevenson will be available for Thursday's exhibition finale against the Giants.
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Carlos Washington Jr. RB | MIA
Falcons' Carlos Washington: Not expected to play this week
Washington (hamstring) is not expected to play in Atlanta's preseason finale against Dallas on Friday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Washington has yet to play this preseason, so it appears as if he'll go the entire exhibition slate without recording a snap. He appeared in just one regular-season contest last season, logging 11 snaps on special teams.
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Kenneth Gainwell RB | TB
Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell: Minimal output in preseason loss
Gainwell rushed twice for two yards while securing his lone target for two yards during Saturday's 17-14 preseason loss to Tampa Bay.
Jaylen Warren was a healthy scratch for a second consecutive preseason game Saturday, and Gainwell drew the start over rookie Kaleb Johnson. However, Gainwell was unable to do much with limited touches in the defeat, while Johnson racked up 11 carries for 50 yards while securing his lone target for nine yards. Although it was encouraging to see Gainwell draw the start Saturday, he'll likely need to generate more production if he hopes to carve out some work behind Warren during the regular season.
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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.