NFL Player News

Pierce started and gained five yards on four carries in Saturday's preseason game against the Giants. He also returned one kickoff for 18 yards.

Pierce got a second straight preseason start and played the first quarter with Joe Mixon not suiting up. Mixon, who opened camp with a quadriceps injury, returned to practice last week but was held out Saturday. The running back rotation following Pierce was Dare Ogunbowale, Cam Akers, J.J. Taylor and then Jawhar Jordan.

Small entered league concussion protocol Sunday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Small took a blow to the head during Saturday's preseason game versus the Seahawks, and it turns out he did sustain a concussion as a result. The update makes it unlikely that he'll appear in the Titans' preseason finale at New Orleans.

Brooks rushed for 23 yards and two touchdowns on five carries in Saturday's preseason game against the Giants.

Just like the first preseason game, all of Brooks' activity came in the fourth quarter, which holds more meaning than the two touchdowns. The undrafted free agent out of North Carolina is unlikely to make the roster but could hook on as a member of the practice squad.

Johnson rushed 18 times for 83 yards and one touchdown while also hauling in each of his two targets for zero yards during Saturday's 15-12 preseason loss to the Jets.

Each of Carolina's top three running backs sat for the second straight preseason game Saturday, allowing Johnson to make the most of his increased opportunities. The undrafted rookie out of Washington averaged an efficient 4.6 yards per carry Saturday, which likely boosts his chances of making Carolina's 53-man roster. While Johnson is still comfortably behind Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders and Raheem Blackshear, he has a shot at remaining in Carolina if he continues performing at a high level.

Chestnut rushed the ball 13 times for 45 yards in Saturday's 16-15 preseason win over the Seahawks. He added two receptions (on two targets) for 29 yards.

The Titans sat both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, leaving Hassan Haskins and Chestnut as the top backs available. Chestnut was utilized as the starter and carried a heavy workload. The majority of his yardage came on a 22-yard rush late in the second quarter, though he also led off the team's first possession with a 15-yard reception. Chestnut could begin the season third on the running back depth chart, but that won't translate to much work out of the backfield.

Demercado (shoulder) had 10 carries for 24 yards and caught his lone target for nine yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Colts.

Demercado returned from a shoulder injury that held him out of last week's exhibition tilt. The sophomore tailback entered the game in the second quarter behind rookie Trey Benson (9-43-0), but it could have been the coaching staff easing Demercado off the shelf as opposed to a demotion from his projected No. 2 role behind James Conner. Next week's preseason finale should be telling based on how the backup RBs are deployed.

Freeman (groin) rushed seven times for 32 yards in the Cowboys' 27-12 preseason win over the Raiders on Saturday night.

Freeman was able to suit up after having suffered a groin injury earlier in the month, and he finished second in rushing yardage after coming into the game behind starter Malik Davis. Freeman should have a solid chance of securing the No. 3 running back job given his experience, as well as the fact Davis didn't exactly impress with his starting opportunity Saturday (five carries, 14 yards).

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.

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.

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.