NFL Player News

Pollard is set to lead a group of four running backs that made the Titans' initial 53-man roster.

Tennessee also kept Tyjae Spears, rookie fifth-round pick Nicholas Singleton and Julius Chestnut on the 53-man roster. The decision to roster four running backs, coupled with second-year QB Cam Ward's struggles in the preseason, could indicate a desire to implement a run-heavy approach from new OC Brian Daboll. Pollard has topped 1,000 scrimmage yards in five consecutive regular seasons, the last two of which came with the Titans, and he sits atop the RB depth chart heading into the regular season, with Spears poised to reprise his change-of-pace role.

Golden finished the Packers' preseason schedule with one catch (on one target) for 19 yards across two games.

Golden was held without a target in the team's exhibition opener but was on the receiving end of a dot from QB Jordan Love in Denver in preseason Week 2, displaying the duo's growing rapport. Green Bay invested a first-round pick in Golden during the 2025 Draft, but a crowded receiving corps capped him to just a 29-361-0 line on 44 targets in 14 regular-season games as a rookie. With Romeo Doubs having moved on to the Patriots in free agency and Dontayvion Wicks getting traded to the Eagles this offseason, the WR options for Love are more clear cut between Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Golden, giving the latter a better chance to tap into his potential in the upcoming campaign.

Coach Shane Steichen said Pierce (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Nathan Brown of The Indianapolis Star reports.

It marks Pierce's first full practice of the summer after he underwent offseason ankle surgery. GM Chris Ballard said Tuesday that the "hope" was Pierce would be ready for the team's Week 1 opener against the Ravens, and this return to full work would suggest the wideout is on the path to playing Sunday, Sept. 13. Pierce is expected to operate as Daniel Jones' clear top outside field-stretching weapon this season, while Josh Downs (calf), Keenan Allen and Tyler Warren (groin) mostly work in the short and intermediate areas.

Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain said Tuesday that he's recognized growth in Nix during the offseason and anticipates the quarterback taking another step forward both on the field and as a leader in his third NFL season, Susanna Weir of the team's official site reports. "I think his cerebral approach to the game is off the charts," Surtain said. "I always say he's so poised, but he's always had that calm demeanor going into his third year just bringing all the guys together offensively and just being a tremendous leader on the team."

Tight end Evan Engram and offensive tackle Garett Bolles also chimed in with praise for Nix, who finished the 2025 regular season with a 25:11 TD:INT and 3,931 yards on an NFL-high 612 pass attempts while adding 356 yards and five scores on the ground. He then helped lead Denver to a divisional-round win over Buffalo before sitting out the AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots due to a broken bone in his ankle, but he made a full recovery from surgery in advance of June minicamp. Nix performed efficiently during his lone preseason appearance Aug. 21 versus the Packers, connecting with offseason pickup Jaylen Waddle on a deep throw for a 35-yard gain during that contest. With a new field-stretching weapon like Waddle in the fold, Nix can potentially offset any decline in his league-leading passing volume by generating more splash plays. Nix saw his yards per attempt drop from 6.7 as a rookie to 6.4 during his sophomore season.

Gainwell is one of three running backs on Tampa Bay's 53-man roster, along with Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker (undisclosed), the latter of whom didn't practice Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.

Gainwell signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers in March after leading the Steelers with 73 catches in the 2025 regular season. He's likely to fill a change-of-pace role while playing primarily in passing situations, much like Rachaad White did for the past couple seasons in a Buccaneers backfield that's expected to be led by Irving as long as the latter stays healthy. Tucker could be a thorn in the side of both Gainwell and Irving from a fantasy perspective if Tucker reprises his red-zone role from 2025, which helped him punch in a team-high seven rushing touchdowns.

Love wrapped up the Packers' preseason slate having completed eight of 12 passes for 74 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in two appearances.

Love led one drive apiece in Green Bay's first two exhibitions, with his sole TD a connection with RB MarShawn Lloyd over the middle in Denver in preseason Week 2. Love also linked up with each of his top three WRs Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden at least one time. Especially against the Broncos, Love appeared to be hitting on all cylinders, and he'll aim to carry it over to a Week 1 road matchup with the Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Irving is set to lead a Buccaneers backfield that also includes Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker (undisclosed), the latter of whom didn't practice Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.

Irving figures to get most of the rushing opportunities in Tampa Bay's backfield, though Gainwell is likely to play in passing situations after leading the Steelers with 73 catches in the 2025 regular season and subsequently signing a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers in March. Tucker was used frequently in the red zone last season, leading the Buccaneers with seven rushing touchdowns. Irving saw his rushing touchdown total dip to one in 10 games during his injury-plagued 2025 campaign after scoring eight regular-season rushing touchdowns as a rookie. Despite the competition for touches, Irving maintains the highest ceiling in Tampa Bay's backfield given his success in 2024.

Kamara (knee) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Kamara was diagnosed with a sprained MCL a little over two weeks ago and was given a return timetable of "at least one month," according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, so it's not at all surprising to see the veteran running back still sidelined. The Saints will begin official Week 1 prep next week, and it would be somewhat shocking to see Kamara practice and be available for the season opener against the Lions. With Kendre Miller (undisclosed) also missing practice time, Audric Estime could be the backup to Travis Etienne against Detroit.

Dowdle and Jaylen Warren are slated to have regular roles in the Steelers offense during the 2026 season, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.

Despite Warren being the top incumbent running back in Pittsburgh, Graziano believes that Dowdle is a better bet to handle early downs out of the backfield, not only due to his experience working with new coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas but because of his combined 471 carries over the last two seasons. Both campaigns resulted in more than 1,000 yards on the ground for Dowdle, while Warren has topped out at 958 rushing yards (2025) in his four-year career. Warren does have the advantage in pass-catching chops, with 139 receptions over the last three years. As a result, both players are in line for weekly usage for the Steelers.

Warren and Rico Dowdle are expected to have regular roles in the Steelers offense during the 2026 season, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.

With Kenny Gainwell moving on to the Buccaneers in free agency, Warren is the top incumbent running back in Pittsburgh, but Dowdle has taken Gainwell's place. Dowdle's previous experience with new coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas could dampen Warren's early-down role somewhat, but according to Graziano, Warren should take on the bulk of the pass-catching work out of Pittsburgh's backfield, as evidenced by his 139 catches in 48 regular-season games over the last three campaigns. Overall, Warren handled a career-high 251 touches in 2025, while Dowdle is coming off back-to-back seasons with 274 (with the Cowboys) and 275 (in Carolina), so both should be busy on a weekly basis this fall.