NFL Player News

Miller (hamstring) still isn't practicing, and coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that it's "challenging" and "hasn't gotten easier" for the running back to make the team without practicing, Patrick Magee of the New Orleans Advocate reports.

Allen essentially doubled down on his comments from late July, when he was asked about Miller and told reporters, "it's hard to make the team from the training room." The Saints are unlikely to actually cut a 22-year-old that they took in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but there's no denying the criticism has dampened Miller's fantasy outlook for the upcoming season, with thoughts of forcing a timeshare/committee replaced by concerns the young RB might be stuck behind both Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. Miller was recovering from an MCL injury when the Saints drafted him last spring, and he then suffered a minor knee sprain in mid-August and a hamstring injury a few weeks later. After that, a high-ankle sprain kept him out for seven straight games in November/December before he returned for Week 18 and took 13 carries for 73 yards and a TD. Miller's performance in the season finale led to optimism in fantasy circles, but much of that seems to have faded since he suffered a hamstring injury during the first practice of training camp and was subsequently criticized by Allen. Miller has now missed more than three weeks of practice and is about to miss a second straight preseason game.

Laube rushed four times for eight yards and was targeted once in the passing game during the Raiders' preseason opener against the Vikings. He also returned one kickoff for 16 yards.

Laube didn't tote the rock until the second half in his NFL preseason debut, but he took his first carry for 13 yards before struggling to find much space on each of his final three rushes. Although he left his maiden tilt without a reception, the versatile sixth-round rookie out of New Hampshire continues to be lauded for his pass-catching chops as he looks to carve out a meaningful role in the backfield behind starter Zamir White.

The Rams don't plan to play Williams or other key players in Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Coach Sean McVay suggested his plan will be similar to the preseason opener against Dallas, in which the Rams not only held out starters but also a lot of key backups, including rookie RB Blake Corum. McVay even said the list of rested players could be longer this time, so there's no reason to expect an appearance from starters like Williams and Cooper Kupp who are ticketed for huge roles come Week 1. There is some thought that Corum's presence will leave Williams with lighter workloads than he handled last year, but the third-year pro can afford to lose some work and still maintain considerable fantasy value, after averaging 19.0 carries and 4.0 targets in 12 appearances last year. Williams missed 12 regular-season games over his first two campaigns, and there is some concern that missed time in 2024 would allow Corum to thrive in a lead role and complicate the Rams' backfield thereafter.

Sermon (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Sermon left Indy's first preseason game Sunday with a hamstring injury. The severity of the injury isn't clear, but it's not a good sign that he hasn't returned to practice this week. He seems unlikely to play in the team's second preseason game Saturday. Sermon had been the leader for the No. 2 RB role behind Jonathan Taylor prior to the injury, with Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull competing for the No. 3 role.

Stevenson rushed six times for 18 yards and wasn't targeted in Thursday's 14-13 preseason loss to the Eagles.

Stevenson got a substantially larger workload in the second preseason game after logging only one carry in the preseason opener against the Panthers. He remains on track to lead New England's backfield in 2024, with Antonio Gibson slated to back up Stevenson and mix in for passing situations. The Patriots will round out their preseasonn Sunday, Aug. 25 in Washington.

Shipley rushed five times for 15 yards and caught all four of his targets for 31 yards in Thursday's 14-13 preseason win over the Patriots.

Kenneth Gainwell got the start Thursday with Saquon Barkley rested, suggesting Gainwell remains in pole position for the top backup spot. Once Shipley got into the game, he continued to show off his receiving skills after catching a seven-yard touchdown in the preseason opener against Baltimore. The rookie fourth-round pick will have one more preseason audition, Aug. 24 against the Vikings, in his bid to earn regular-season playing time.

Coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday that the Texans' starters, including Mixon, will play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Giants, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Mixon is over the hamstring injury that caused him to miss the Texans' first two exhibition contests, but he returned to practice last weekend and is ready to play a few snaps. It will be Mixon's first action since he was acquired from the Bengals back in March.

Evans is out for the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon during the Bengals' joint practice with the Bears on Thursday, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.

The running back was carted off the practice field and had his leg placed in an air cast. Evans was competing for a spot on Cincinnati's running back depth chart behind Zack Moss and Chase Brown. The Michigan product carried the ball twice for 12 yards in 2023.

Coach Shane Steichen said Thursday that Taylor won't suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Cardinals, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

The same can be said for the rest of the Colts' starters and No. 2 quarterback Joe Flacco. With Taylor in street clothes Saturday, Trey Sermon (hamstring, if available), Tyler Goodson, Evan Hull, Zavier Scott and Demetric Felton will be the candidates to work out of Indianapolis' backfield. As for Taylor, he's coming off back-to-back injury-riddled campaigns in which he averaged 90.4 yards from scrimmage per game and scored 12 total touchdowns in 21 regular-season contests.

The Giants signed Kelley on Thursday, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Kelley spent much of the offseason as a free agent after his contract with the Chargers expired back in March. He wasn't retained by Los Angeles' new coaching staff after Kelley amassed a 320-1,148-6 rushing line across four seasons with the Bolts. It's less than ideal to join a team this deep into camp, but Kelley will try to impress the Giants over the next couple weeks ahead of the regular season.