NFL Player News

Ford rushed three times for 11 yards in the Browns' 37-33 preseason loss to the Seahawks on Saturday night.

Ford played on the Browns' first two possessions before bowing out of the contest, closing out the exhibition slate with just five carries overall across two games. The light usage isn't surprising, considering Ford is in line to open the regular season as Cleveland's top backfield option while Nick Chubb goes through the final stages of his recovery from last season's devastating knee injury. Ford flashed plenty of encouraging play in a lead role last season following Chubb's injury, but in the early portion of the coming campaign, he'll contend with D'Onta Foreman for touches.

Irving rushed six times for 26 yards and brought in his only target for five yards in the Buccaneers' 24-14 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday night.

The rookie had drawn the start in the first two preseason games, but Rachaad White saw his first and only action of the exhibition slate Friday and was the first running back in. Irving checked in on the second possession and put together another solid performance relative to opportunity, and he appears set to start the regular season as the clear-cut No. 2 back behind White.

Abanikanda rushed the ball nine times for 83 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 10-6 preseason win over the Giants. He added one reception on one target for six yards.

Abanikanda served as the starting running back due to Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis all sitting out. That Abanikanda suited up indicates his spot on the running back depth chart, though he did make the play of the game when he ran through several attempted tackles for a 45-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. He'll enter cutdown day on the roster bubble, but even if he doesn't stick with the Jets, he should be able to find opportunity elsewhere around the league.

Tucker rushed seven times for 20 yards and brought in his only target for a 27-yard gain in the Buccaneers' 24-14 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday night.

Tucker led the Buccaneers in carries on the night while checking in second to Bucky Irving in rushing yardage, also making a splash play on his one reception. Tucker didn't enter the game until the final possession of the first half, but he's shown well overall this preseason and should be a relative certainty for a roster spot due to Chase Edmonds (undisclosed) likely being headed to injured reserve to open the campaign.

Foreman sustained a rib injury during Saturday's preseason contest in Seattle, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

After a three-yard carry on the first play of the second quarter, Foreman needed assistance to make his way to the sideline tent and then walked slowly to the locker room, at which point the health concern became clear. The Browns are banged up at running back at the moment, with all of Nick Chubb (knee, PUP), Pierre Strong (rib) and Nyheim Hines (knee, NFI) not practicing at the moment. Considering it's exhibition season, the team likely will exercise caution with Foreman, instead rolling with Aidan Robbins and Jacob Saylors for the rest of Saturday's game.

Wilson took 11 carries for 52 yards and caught both of his targets for 26 yards in Saturday's preseason finale.

Wilson started the Packers' final exhibition due to Josh Jacobs (coach's decision) and AJ Dillon (neck) sitting out the win over Baltimore. With the start of the season right around the corner, Wilson appears to not only have the inside track to a spot on the final roster, but he could find himself in the No. 2 role should Dillon's neck injury cost him any time once the games begin to count. Managers in deep leagues should take note of Wilson and the backup situation in Green Bay.

Freeman carried the ball eight times for 35 yards and caught his only target for seven yards in Saturday's 26-19 preseason loss to the Chargers.

With Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle sitting out Dallas' preseason finale, Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn both saw carries before Freeman did and posted better yards per carry averages on the day, which bodes poorly for the veteran's chances of being on the roster for Week 1. Freeman has been barely hanging on in the NFL for a few years now, and his 77 carries for the Rams in 2023 was his highest total since 2019. While he still appears capable of handling a depth role in a backfield, the Cowboys may elect to go with their younger homegrown options instead.

Davis carried the ball five times for 28 yards and caught his only target for minus-2 yards in Saturday's 26-19 preseason loss to the Chargers. He also returned one kickoff for 25 yards.

Davis got the start once again in the backfield due to Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott sitting out, but he quickly yielded snaps to Deuce Vaughn and eventually Royce Freeman. Which of those backs will claim depth roles on the RB depth chart remains unclear, but Davis at least didn't seem to hurt his chances with a solid, if abbreviated, performance Saturday.

Vaughn carried the ball nine times for 53 yards and failed to catch two targets in Saturday's 26-19 preseason loss to the Chargers. He added 23 yards on one kickoff return.

Vaughn mixed into the backfield on the Cowboys' first drive of the day, and the Kansas State product showed off his ability to produce chunk plays with an 18-yard scamper in the second quarter that set up Dallas' first touchdown of the day. Vaughn is fighting for a spot on the season-opening roster behind Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle in the backfield, and the fact that he got carries before Royce Freeman and out-produced the veteran can be taken as a positive sign for his chances.

Akers took seven carries for 53 yards and caught three of four targets for 19 yards in Saturday's preseason finale against the Rams.

Akers was first player to record a touch in Saturday's exhibition, as the veteran tries to latch onto the Texans' 53-man roster ahead of the Sept. 27 deadline. The 2020 second-round pick was brought in for depth after starter Joe Mixon suffered an injury this preseason. The latter has since healed and was a healthy scratch Saturday, leaving any potential fantasy value for Akers in Houston in the rearview mirror.