NFL Player News
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Alexander Mattison RB | MIA
Raiders' Alexander Mattison: Unremarkable with six touches
Mattison rushed five times for 15 yards and secured one of two targets for six yards in the Raiders' 27-12 preseason loss to the Cowboys on Saturday night. He also returned one kickoff for 23 yards.
Mattison worked as the second running back in behind Zamir White, a hierarchy that's expected to be mirrored during the regular season. Mattison shouldn't need any additional reps to get ready for the regular season and will be a valuable complementary presence, so he's likely to sit out of the Raiders' preseason finale against the 49ers on Friday night.
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Zach Evans RB | NYJ
Rams' Zach Evans: Hefty workload in spot start
Evans gained 62 yards on 16 rushing attempts in Saturday's preseason win over the Chargers.
Evans received the first running back touch for the Rams on Saturday, but he was far less efficient on a per-carry basis (3.9 yards) compared to veteran backup Boston Scott. The latter ripped off 55 yards on just 10 carries as the Rams rested the trio of RBs ahead Scott and Evans on LA's depth chart. Neither of the tailbacks competing for a remaining roster spot received a target in the exhibition win.
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Zamir White RB | LV
Raiders' Zamir White: Garners chunk gain Saturday
White rushed four times for 23 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Raiders' 27-12 preseason loss to the Cowboys on Saturday night.
White drew the start and put together what appears to be a fine rushing line on the surface, but it's worth noting 17 of his yards came on his first carry. Nevertheless, the third-year back is primed to open the season as the Raiders' No. 1 option in the ground game, though offseason addition Alexander Mattison is talented enough to serve as a threat if White struggles in the role.
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Kene Nwangwu RB | NYJ
Vikings' Kene Nwangwu: Another strong preseason game
Nwangwu had seven carries for 45 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Cleveland.
Even with the Vikings resting almost all their starters, Nwangwu had a second impressive preseason performance. Nwangwu has had a role in the offense as the No. 3 running back in training camp and looks to have locked up the job at this point in the preseason. While he's not likely to get many carries behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, Nwangwu at least looks like a viable option should the top two get hurt. However, it's not clear if he'll return kickoffs as he hasn't been used as a returner in either preseason game after having that role last season.
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Myles Gaskin RB | SEA
Vikings' Myles Gaskin: Has 45 yards rushing in preseason win
Gaskin had nine carries for 45 yards and two receptions for 10 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Cleveland.
Gaskin showed he can be a steady veteran as a reserve running back, but he may face an uphill battle to win a roster spot. The Vikings are likely to keep just three running backs with Kene Nwangwu currently ahead of Gaskin on the depth chart.
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Boston Scott RB | PIT
Rams' Boston Scott: Strong showing in preseason win
Scott took 10 carries for 55 yards in Saturday's preseason tilt against the Chargers.
Scott was the second back to receive a touch behind Zach Evans (16-62-0), but both backs were mixed in early in Saturday's exhibition win. The Rams are holding out the dynamic backs sitting atop the RB depth chart along with Ronnie Rivers this preseason, which is why Scott and Evans have been getting so much run. The long-time Eagle could find himself in a similar backup/special teams role this season, assuming he makes the 53-man roster with his new club.
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Malik Davis RB | DAL
Cowboys' Malik Davis: Gets first RB touch Saturday
Davis rushed five times for 14 yards and returned one kickoff for 14 yards in the Cowboys' 27-12 preseason win over the Raiders on Saturday night.
Davis was the first Cowboys running back to log a touch with Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle sitting out, but he found limited success during his time on the field. Davis did not record any rush attempts or receptions last season after carrying 38 times for 161 yards and a touchdown and recording six receptions in his rookie 2022 campaign, and he's battling the likes of Deuce Vaughn and Royce Freeman for a reserve running back spot with one preseason game remaining.
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Ray Davis RB | BUF
Bills' Ray Davis: Several chunk gains
Davis rushed the ball eight times for 58 yards in Saturday's 9-3 preseason win over the Steelers.
Davis didn't manage any snaps with the first-team offense, but he was the next running back into the game following James Cook. After struggling to find rushing lanes in his pro debut against the Bears last week, Davis recorded a long gain of 19 yards, which was supplemented by a pair of eight-yard rushes in his second chance. Davis is competing with Ty Johnson for the primary backup spot in the offense, though the two could coexist as Davis has a frame that should help him excel in short-yardage situations while Johnson is a strong pass catcher.
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Israel Abanikanda RB | DAL
Jets' Israel Abanikanda: Appears buried on depth chart
Abanikanda rushed the ball six times for 29 yards in Saturday's 15-12 preseason win over the Panthers.
Abanikanda was relatively efficient with his opportunity Saturday, highlighted by a 12-yard gain to kick off the second half. However, he entered the game after both Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen for the second consecutive week, suggesting he is currently fourth on the running back depth chart. That leaves him with little projectable volume out of the backfield.
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Isaiah Davis RB | NYJ
Jets' Isaiah Davis: First touches Saturday
Davis rushed the ball four times for 14 yards in Saturday's 15-12 preseason win over the Panthers. He added one reception (on one target) for zero yards.
Davis looks to be third on the Jets' running back depth chart behind Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, though he did get the first reps out of the backfield Saturday. His biggest gain of the day came on his opening carry, which went for nine yards. Davis was a strong receiver in his final two years at South Dakota State, a skill set that could help him see the field occasionally on obvious passing downs once the regular season begins.