NFL Player News

Taylor rushed for 16 yards on six carries and returned one punt for four yards in Thursday's 21-17 preseason loss to Chicago.

Taylor is on the fringes of the backfield depth chart, but he has significant collegiate experience returning kicks (kickoffs, not punts) and also filled that role on occasion while with New England the last three seasons. It would seem his clearest path to a roster spot would be via special teams.

Ogunbowale had three carries for 14 yards and caught both targets for 21 yards in Thursday's 21-17 preseason loss to the Bears.

Ogunbowale got the starting assignment Thursday, as Joe Mixon (quadriceps) and Dameon Pierce (coach's decision) were held out of the lineup. Given his experience in the system and work on special teams, Ogunbowales should be considered the leader for the third spot on the depth chart.

Jordan logged three carries for five yards and returned one kickoff for 15 yards in Thursday's 21-17 preseason loss to Chicago.

Houston's top two backs were held out of the game, giving Jordan, Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale opportunities to impress the coaching staff. Jordan also rotated in on the kickoff-return team with Steven Sims and Johnny Johnson. Ogunbowale is likely the leader among the three at running back given his experience in the system, but a return job could be winnable for Jordan.

Johnson rushed six times for 24 yards and brought in his only target for seven yards in the Bears' 21-17 preseason win over the Texans on Thursday.

With offseason addition D'Andre Swift sitting out the preseason opener, Johnson got the call as the Bears' starting running back and gained 17 yards on four carries during Chicago's opening possession. The second-year pro went on to record his final seven rushing yards on the Bears' third and fourth drives after ceding the second possession to Khalil Herbert, who Johnson is battling for the No. 2 running back job. Considering the team invested a fourth-round pick in Johnson last year and he flashed upside as both runner and receiver as a rookie, he could have the inside track in the competition, although the remainder of training camp and preseason will serve as the platform for each back to make a case.

Herbert rushed four times for 35 yards in the Bears' 21-17 preseason win over the Texans on Thursday.

Herbert was the second Bears running back to log a carry behind Roschon Johnson, who handled all the ground work on Chicago's first drive. Herbert ripped off a 19-yard gain on his third carry and immediately followed it up with a nine-yard scamper on the next play, showcasing some of the talent that helped him to three 100-yard performances a season ago. The team's deep backfield is now helmed by D'Andre Swift, who didn't play Thursday, with Herbert and Johnson currently battling for the No. 2 RB role.

Akers rushed five times for 13 yards and brought in both targets for 18 yards and a touchdown in the Texans' 21-17 preseason loss to the Bears on Thursday.

Aaron Rodgers' lightning-fast recovery from his Week 1 Achilles tear last season rightfully garnered plenty of attention, but Akers has now overcome the same injury on each leg in well under a year on both occasions. His return to the field Thursday night came just under nine months from when he suffered his most recent tear in Week 9 of last season while with the Vikings. Akers had already been practicing with the Texans since signing July 21, and although his rushing line doesn't reflect it, the 2020 second-round pick looked decisive and explosive when attacking the line of scrimmage Thursday. Akers also made his modest opportunities through the air count, crossing the goal line on a four-yard reception just before halftime. Akers is presumably battling the likes of Dare Ogunbowale, rookie sixth-round pick Jawhar Jordan and J.J. Taylor for the No. 3 running back job in Houston, and Thursday's performance was an encouraging start to his quest.

With the Bears slated to rest key starters in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Texans, Swift is among the players not in line to see action in Chicago's preseason opener, wgntv.com reports.

With the theme of starters resting, QB Caleb Williams, as well as WRs DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, are also players who aren't expected to see action Thursday. The Bears' second exhibition game will take place Aug. 10 against the Bills.

Pierce isn't slated to play in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Bears, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

With top back Joe Mixon still recovering from a minor quad injury, the Texans plan to play it safe with his top backup versus Chicago. As a result, Wilson suggests that Jawhar Jordan, Cam Akers, British Brooks and J.J. Taylor could see added backfield opportunities Thursday.

The Seahawks signed Robinson to a contract Thursday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Robinson earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2023 after rushing for 1,194 yards and 18 touchdowns on 170 carries in his final year at San Jose State. Ricky Person (undisclosed) was waived with an injury settlement in a corresponding move.

Watson (leg) was activated from the active/non-football injury list Thursday and returned to practice, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Watson will receive his first training camp action after being signed as a UDFA out of Memphis in the spring. However, the 24-year-old will likely be facing an uphill battle for a spot in the Broncos' backfield with Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie all returning and Denver adding Audric Estime in the fifth round of the 2024 draft.