NFL Player News

Williams logged six carries for 20 yards and caught his only target for one yard during Saturday's 16-14 preseason win against Arizona.

Williams did not start but was on the field with the Saints' first-team offense, as he alternated carries with Alvin Kamara on the team's first two offensive series. The 29-year-old backup stayed busy when he was on the field, as he was credited with just 11 offensive snaps. Unsurprisingly, Williams also got on the field before both Jordan Mims and James Robinson, and those two did not find much success either with 3.8 and 3.9 yards per carry, respectively. With second-year running back Kendre Miller currently sidelined by a hamstring injury, Williams looks like he's in solid position to retain his No. 2 running back job this season.

The Bears waived Felton on Sunday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The move makes room for the addition of Jaylon Hutchings. Felton joined the Bears on July 28 after spending all of 2023 on the Bengals' practice squad. The 2021 sixth-round pick rushed for minus-one yard on his only carry in Saturday's 33-6 preseason win over the Bills. Felton will look to catch on with another team in need of running back depth should he clear waivers.

Ali did not practice Sunday while dealing wtih an undisclosed injury, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said following Sunday's practice that Ali sustained a stinger injury during Friday's 16-13 preseason loss to the Eagles. The rookie fifth-round pick posted 10 carries and one catch and returned one kickoff during this preseason opener, so it's unclear when or how this injury occurred. Harbaugh also mentioned that the 23-year-old rookie might be placed in concussion protocol, though he appeared unsure about this and did not delve into any specifics other than saying that the issue was not serious. Either way, Ali will have a little under a week to return to practice before the next preseason game against Atlanta on Saturday.

The Falcons signed Brown to a contract Sunday.

Brown was waived by the Panthers with an injury settlement in May due to an unspecified injury. He worked out with the Browns in July, and while nothing came from that, the 25-year-old running back is back to full health and will look to earn a spot on the Falcons' 53-man roster. Brown has appeared in three regular-season games since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

Taylor rushed twice for four yards and wasn't targeted in Sunday's 34-30 preseason loss to the Broncos.

Taylor played the first two drives alongside starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, but the Colts understandably didn't give the workhorse running back many touches. While Taylor may continue to sprinkle in some carries throughout the preseason, including Saturday against the Cardinals, the Colts have little reason to put significant tread on his tires during the exhibition slate considering Taylor has handled 925 carries over the past four regular seasons and is in line for another high-volume campaign in 2024.

Estime rushed 10 times for 31 yards and a touchdown, caught all three of his targets for 13 yards and lost a fumble in Sunday's 34-30 preseason win over the Colts.

Estime was the fourth running back into the game for the Broncos after Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine all saw action in the first quarter. The rookie fifth-round pick is considered more of a threat to Williams' early-down touches than McLaughlin or Perine's reps in pass-catching situations, though Estime showed himself to be a capable pass catcher by securing all three of his targets Sunday. Estime scored a two-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter but put the ball on the ground on his very next carry and watched the Indianapolis defense scoop and score on the play. With the knee injury that kept him sidelined during the spring now in the rear-view mirror, Estime will likely handle another substantial workload in Denver's next preseason game against the Packers.

Abanikanda rushed six times for 17 yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for eight yards in Saturday's 20-17 preseason win over the Commanders.

Abanikanda entered in the second half after rookie fourth-round and fifth-round draft picks Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis played the first half. Allen seems to have cemented himself as the top backup to Breece Hall, leaving Davis and Abanikanda in a competition for the third spot on the running back depth chart. Davis has the edge due to his ability to contribute on special teams, but Abanikanda may have bolstered his chances slightly with a two-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Abanikanda will look to add to his case for a roster spot when the Jets continue preseason play next Saturday in Carolina.

Sermon won't return to Sunday's exhibition contest against Denver due to a hamstring injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Sermon headed to the medical tent in the first quarter and has since been ruled out from returning. The severity of his hamstring injury isn't yet clear, but it could impact his availability for the remainder of the preseason slate and potentially prevent him from being ready for the start of the regular season as well. Sermon had been the leader for the No. 2 RB role behind Jonathan Taylor prior to the injury, with Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull lining up in the pecking order below him.

Shirden was waived by the Panthers on Sunday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

The running back was let go to help make room for a trio of signings in defensive lineman Walter Palmore, offensive lineman Jack Anderson and wide receiver Tayvion Robinson. Shirden signed with the Panthers after going undrafted in April. During his final season at Monmouth University last year, Shirden ran for 1,478 yards and 10 touchdowns on 221 carries.

Taylor is starting the Colts' first preseason game against Denver on Sunday, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

Taylor is likely to see the field for just a series or two, but it will give him an opportunity to play alongside starting QB Anthony Richardson after the pair logged just two snaps together last year. It could be interesting to see how lining up next to Richardson affects Taylor's opportunities, particularly at the goal line, as Richardson is an explosive runner who logged a 38 percent goal-line carry rate last year before getting injured Week 5. Taylor scored seven times on the ground and one time through the air over 10 regular-season contests in 2023.