NFL Player News

Chubb (knee) is expected to start the regular season on the reserve/PUP list, which will rule him out for the first four weeks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Chubb has been on the active/PUP list since the start of training camp -- meaning he hasn't returned to practice -- and now figures to be placed on reserve/PUP ahead of Week 1. Jerome Ford is set to lead Cleveland's backfield early in the season, with D'Onta Foreman (ribs) and Pierre Strong (ribs) also candidates to take some carries. Chubb is rebounding from surgeries in September and November to address ACL and MCL tears in the same left knee that he injured in 2015 during his sophomore season at Georgia.

McNichols carried the ball five times for 23 yards in Sunday's 20-10 preseason win over the Patriots.

McNichols had been vying for the third spot on the running back depth chart with Chris Rodriguez throughout camp. He appears to have the upper hand, as he started the game and was the only back to get a carry or target through Washington's first two offensive possessions. That suggests he'll be active and may get a few snaps in a Week 1 matchup against Tampa Bay, though his role is likely to be minimal.

Rodriguez rushed the ball one time for one yard in Sunday's 20-10 preseason win over the Patriots. He added four receptions (on five targets) for 39 yards.

Rodriguez looked to be battling Jeremy McNichols for the third running back job throughout training camp and the preseason, and the conclusion may not be in Rodriguez's favor. He was the second back on the field behind McNichols with both Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler resting, and he played into the second half. Rodriguez's ability to chip in on special teams may save his roster spot, but he isn't likely to see the field much with the offense early in the regular season.

Gibson carried the ball three times for 17 yards in Sunday's 20-10 preseason loss to the Commanders. He added one reception (on two targets) for 13 yards.

Gibson was the first back in the game for the Patriots with Rhamondre Stevenson sitting out. He played only one offensive drive with Jacoby Brissett (shoulder) under center and got touches on four of the first five offensive plays. Gibson will enter the regular season as the second back on the depth chart, and he should get plenty of work in obvious passing situations while occasionally spelling Stevenson on the ground.

Williams did not suit up for Sunday's 30-27 preseason loss to Tennessee.

Williams was one of a long list of Saints who sat out Sunday, as the team rested the vast majority of starters and key backups. The 29-year-old finished the preseason with 11 carries for 52 yards and two catches for another three yards across two appearances. Williams' role as the No. 2 running back behind Alvin Kamara should be locked up heading into Week 1, as 2023 third-round Kendre Miller (hamstring) has been sidelined for nearly all of training camp and could even start out the regular season on IR, according to Jeff Nowak of The Big 870 New Orleans. This would leave Jordan Mims and/or James Robinson as the next likely options to serve as the No. 3 running back versus Carolina on Sunday, Sept. 8.

Estime carried the ball five times for 18 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-12 preseason win over the Cardinals. He also caught his only target for 14 yards.

The rookie running back got the start and saw a healthy workload on his only drive, capping it with a three-yard TD run. Estime appears to be heading into the season as Denver's No. 4 back behind Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin, none of whom played Sunday in the team's preseason finale. Despite that seemingly inhospitable role, Estime could have some fantasy value in 2024 if he becomes the Broncos' short-yardage and goal-line specialist.

Miller (hamstring) did not play in Sunday's 30-27 preseason loss to the Titans.

Miller has now missed all three preseason games for the Saints since suffering a hamstring injury July 24. With his absence now extending about a full month, it appears likely that the 2023 third-rounder could start the regular season on IR. His case was not helped by the fact that New Orleans' starters did not play Sunday, allowing backup running backs Jordan Mims and Jacob Kibodi to combine for 17 rushes for 92 yards while taking the bulk of the team's carries. Even if Miller is not placed on IR for the first four games, his lack of availability may mean he'll vie for the third running back spot behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.

Jones will not return to Sunday's preseason game against Denver due to a shoulder injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Jones sustained the injury in the second quarter of Sunday's game, and he'll finish the contest with seven carries for 29 yards and two catches for 14 yards. Hassan Hall should see most, if not all, of the carries in the second half, per Urban.

Spears rushed four times for 12 yards and caught his only target for 12 yards in Sunday's 30-27 preseason win over the Saints.

Spears watched Tony Pollard play the opening drive and score a one-yard rushing touchdown before checking in for the second possession. While Spears played most of the second drive with the first-team offense, the Titans opted to put Pollard back in for a fourth-and-1, and Pollard rewarded that decision with a 14-yard catch to extend the possession. Spears also got a couple reps with second-string quarterback Mason Rudolph on the third drive, and his lone reception came on a pass from Rudolph. The team's decisions to start Pollard and bring the veteran free-agent signing in for a key fourth-down situation suggest Spears is running behind in Tennessee's backfield timeshare heading into the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Bears, but both running backs are expected to play prominent roles as the Titans begin the post-Derrick Henry era.

Pollard rushed five times for 17 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 30-27 preseason win over the Saints.

Pollard got all six touches in Tennessee's backfield on the opening drive, the last of which was a one-yard touchdown run. Tyjae Spears got the first three carries on the second possession while the rest of the first-team offense remained in the game, but Pollard checked back in to pick up a 14-yard catch on fourth-and-1. Pollard and Spears are set to share backfield duties in the regular season, which begins Sunday, Sept. 8 in Chicago, with the former Cowboys running back likely to have an edge in playing time based on their deployment in Sunday's dress rehearsal.