NFL Player News

Martinez rushed 11 times for 50 yards and a score in Friday's 33-16 preseason win over the Chiefs. He also caught two passes for 14 yards.

Martinez was the third running back in the pecking order after Zach Charbonnet and George Holani -- who rushed five times for 49 yards. Kenneth Walker rested once again. Martinez broke off a 19-yard run in the first quarter and scored in the third quarter before taking the rest of the night off. At this time, the rookie seventh-round pick is on track to make the roster as the No. 4 running back.

Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Sunday that Lloyd "is going to miss some time" due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in Saturday's preseason game against the Colts, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Lloyd did not return to Saturday's contest after injuring his hamstring during his 44-yard catch early in the second quarter. The 2024 third-rounder has been hampered by hamstring injuries since entering the league, and that continues to be an issue for him as he enters his sophomore campaign. An exact timeline for Lloyd's return hasn't been established, but he's in jeopardy of missing the Packers' Week 1 contest against the Lions on Sunday, Sept. 7. Emanuel Wilson appears to be the clear-cut RB2 behind Josh Jacobs due to Lloyd's injury.

Nwangwu (calf) turned six carries into 31 yards during the Jets' 31-12 preseason loss to the Giants on Saturday.

Nwangwu was able to suit up for Saturday's contest after recovering from a calf injury that he suffered during the Jets' preseason opener against the Packers. He played four snaps on special teams and 20 on offense, the latter of which was second most among Jets running backs behind Donovan Edwards (22). Nwangwu is in a battle with Edwards and Isaiah Davis (ankle) for the RB3 job behind Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, and Nwangwu's last opportunity to make his case for the Jets' 53-man roster is Friday against the Eagles.

Kamara is no longer in uniform and is not in line to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Jaguars, Erin Summers of the Saints' official site reports.

It's the second week in a row that Kamara was suited up for pregame warmups but did not participate in the team portion. With Kamara and Devin Neal (hamstring) sidelined, the Saints backfield will be led by Kendre Miller, Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Kamara's last chance to see preseason action will be Saturday against the Broncos.

Based on his absence from pregame warmups, Neal (hamstring) is not in line to play against the Jaguars in Sunday's preseason game, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Neal is working through a hamstring injury that he suffered in the beginning of August, and it appears the rookie sixth-rounder also is unlikely to play in the Saints' preseason finale against the Broncos on Saturday. Kendre Miller, Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire should handle most of the backfield snaps Sunday, especially if Alvin Kamara also doesn't play.

Miller rushed five times for 17 yards in Saturday's 31-12 exhibition win over the Jets. He added four catches on four targets for 43 yards.

Miller finished second on New York in rushing yards and third in receiving yards. He's found tough sledding on the ground through two preseason games, averaging a meager 2.6 yards on 10 carries, but has been quite impressive in the passing game, tallying 11 receptions on 11 targets for 123 yards. Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary and Cam Skattebo (hamstring) are likely locked in as New York's top three running backs, but Miller has a path to a roster spot as RB4, especially with Eric Gray (undisclosed) still on the PUP list and yet to participate in training camp.

Kamara is in uniform and participating in pregame warmups ahead of Sunday's preseason game against the Jaguars, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Jackson notes that Kamara also suited up prior to the Saints' preseason opener against the Chargers but didn't end up playing. Even if Kamara does play, he'll likely be limited to one or two offensive series, leaving the bulk of the backfield snaps to Kendre Miller, Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Lloyd suffered a hamstring injury early in the second quarter of Saturday's 23-19 preseason win over the Colts and did not return, Tom Silverstein of USA Today reports.

Lloyd suffered the injury when he was tackled high and low by two defenders at the end of his 44-yard catch at the 13:26 mark in the second quarter. The 2024 third-rounder was able to walk off the field under his own power but ended up being held out for the rest of the game after consulting with trainers. Lower-body injuries have not been a stranger for Lloyd, who appeared in just one regular-season game in his rookie campaign due to two separate hamstring injuries and appendicitis. He also suffered a groin injury in late July that caused him to miss the Packers' preseason opener against the Jets. Lloyd's inability to stay on the field could have him lose out to Emanuel Wilson as the No. 2 running back behind Josh Jacobs. Lloyd's practice participation over the coming week will indicate his chances of playing in Green Bay's preseason finale against Seattle on Saturday.

McLaughlin rushed three times for 48 yards in the Broncos' 27-7 preseason win over the Cardinals on Saturday night.

McLaughlin led the Broncos in rushing thanks to his game-long 35-yard run, which he recorded on his second carry upon entering the game after RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie. McLaughlin has served as an effective complementary option for his first two seasons, and as he demonstrated Saturday, his home-run ability may give him the inside track to the No. 3 running back job again going into the 2025 campaign.

Demercado rushed six times for 15 yards, failed to bring in his only target and returned two kickoffs for 60 yards in the Cardinals' 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos on Saturday night.

Demercado was the second back in the game behind Michael Carter, the player he's trying to hold off for the No. 3 running back job. Neither back was able to find much in the way of running room, but that presumably leaves Demercado with at least a slight edge in the competition given his speed and ability to contribute as a returner. Next Saturday night's home preseason finale against the Raiders may serve as the setting for the final installment of the job battle before head coach Jonathan Gannon and his staff make a final decision.