NFL Player News

Davis didn't receive a touch on offense but gained 11 yards on two punt returns while losing a fumble in Thursday's 28-27 preseason win over the Steelers.

His muffed punt return at the Buffalo 12-yard line in the first quarter led directly to Pittsburgh's first TD of the game on the very next play. It was a tough way for Davis to end his preseason, but the third-year RB has never returned a punt in his NFL career. Davis' spot as the No. 2 back behind James Cook seems fairly secure however, after he averaged 4.7 yards on 58 carries over 17 regular-season games last year.

Heidenreich carried the ball nine times for 35 yards and a touchdown while adding 47 yards on two kickoff returns during Thursday's 28-27 preseason loss to Buffalo.

The rookie seventh-round pick showed some of his versatility by making a positive impression on special teams while also scoring Pittsburgh's only rushing TD of the night, taking a pitch from Drew Allar and churning his way through traffic from nine yards out in the third quarter. Heidenreich is fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster, but he curiously didn't catch a pass in the preseason despite that being his main strength in college, making it tough to evaluate his chances of sticking around behind the clear top backfield duo of Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle.

Johnson carried the ball five times for 11 yards in Thursday's 28-27 preseason loss to the Bills.

It's not an encouraging sign for the 2025 third-round pick that he was the fourth running back into the game for the Steelers, as Johnson didn't get his first touch until the second half, after Lew Nichols, Eli Heidenreich and Travis Homer has all mixed into the backfield. Johnson is coming off a disappointing rookie campaign in which he managed just 69 rushing yards in 10 regular-season contests, and he could be on the roster bubble.

Connors rushed 18 times for 69 yards and brought in all three targets for 24 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 20-18 preseason win over the Chargers on Thursday.

Connors led the Rams in rush attempts and rushing yards on the night, as the undrafted rookie got an extended look in the wake of the trade of fellow back Jarquez Hunter to the Dolphins earlier Thursday. Connors rushed 26 times for 96 yards and added a 7-53-3 receiving line over three preseason games, with his latest trip to the end zone being an eight-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter. Connors seemingly has a solid chance of sticking on the 53-man roster as the No. 3 running back, given his versatility and body of work this summer.

James (ribs) rushed eight times for 35 yards and brought in one of two targets for 20 yards in the 49ers' 18-12 preseason win over the Raiders on Thursday.

James was the second 49ers running back to log a touch behind Kaelon Black, carrying the ball on all three plays of the team's fourth drive. James netted eight rushing yards on that trio of rush attempts, and he proceeded to rattle off his game-long 17-yard gain just before the two-minute warning the next time San Francisco had the ball. Thursday marked James' only action of the preseason after he previously dealt with a rib fracture, and it remains to be seen how his splash plays as both a runner and receiver impact his standing heading into the regular season.

Black rushed four times for 28 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the 49ers' 18-12 preseason win over the Raiders on Thursday.

Black didn't log a touch on the 49ers' opening three-and-out possession, but he gained 11 yards on back-to-back carries to start San Francisco's second drive. The rookie third-round pick then recorded his game-high 14 yard run on the last play of the first quarter, rounding out his relatively brief night in encouraging fashion. Black put together a solid two-game preseason during which he rushed 12 times for 61 yards, but his primary competition for the No. 2 running back role, Jordan James, had a productive night himself Thursday with 55 yards from scrimmage on nine touches. Consequently, it's possible the two backs share complementary work behind Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) to open the regular season.

Washington rushed eight times for 49 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.

Washington operated as the starting running back due to Ashton Jeanty (ankle) being sidelined and turned in an efficient performance. The rookie fourth-round pick set the tone for his night by quickly churning out 12 yards on the first two plays from scrimmage, and he added 13- and 11-yard gains on Las Vegas' second possession. Washington appears firmly entrenched as the No. 2 back to open the season, but he'd be teed up for a likely Week 1 starting assignment against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 13 if Jeanty is unable to suit up.

Larison (undisclosed) rushed twice for five yards and didn't catch either of his two targets in Thursday's 37-13 preseason loss to the Browns.

Larison suited up for the preseason finale after missing practice time earlier in the week due to an undisclosed injury. The 24-year-old running back is competing for a depth role in New England's backfield. Larison didn't help his chances of making the team with Thursday's quiet performance, but he showcased some promising receiving capabilities with a six-catch performance in the preseason opener against the Colts. Jam Miller, Hassan Haskins and JaMycal Hasty are also in contention for the third spot on New England's running back depth chart.

Hunter was traded from the Rams to the Dolphins in exchange for wide receiver Tutu Atwell on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Hunter will join Miami's roster after he was limited to 22 snaps on special teams over five contests with the Rams in his rookie campaign last season. The running back was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he was never able to carve out a role for himself behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in Los Angeles. In his new locale, Hunter brings added depth to a backfield led by De'Von Achane, and also includes Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon (ribs).

Henderson (ankle) is expected to be available for New England's Week 1 matchup with the Seahawks, Christopher Price of The Boston Globe reports.

It was believed that Henderson was dealing with only a minor right ankle issue, and the latest report confirms that and signals that he will not miss any time during the regular season. As such, Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson figure to open the campaign in a timeshare in New England's backfield.