NFL Player News

The No. 2 back behind Michael Carter with James Conner, Trey Benson and Emari Demercado all sidelined, Dallas mustered two touches in a 47-point Cardinals outburst. Playing on a one-year deal, Dallas seemed to only ever fall down the depth chart, but he was active all 17 games as a special teamer. The third unit is the key to his NFL future.

Tucker and RB Josh Williams competed for the Buccaneers’ No. 3 running back job all night. Tucker got the start, touching the ball on three of the first four plays. Unfortunately, the drive ultimately ended in a punt, as did almost all of the others. It was an unproductive night for the Buccaneers’ offense. Williams entered the game on the second drive, and the two players continued to rotate in and out thereafter. Williams rushed eight times for 21 yards. Tucker caught one pass for minus-one yard as well. Neither player really separated from the other in the box score. The team must now choose between the trusted, higher-priced veteran, Tucker, and the more affordable second-year player, Williams. If Tucker is released, it could allow “1A” RB Bucky Irving to hoard short-yardage and goal-line work, which would significantly boost his fantasy-scoring outlook.

Johnson added two catches for 15 yards and had another chunk gain through the air called back because of a penalty. Kenneth Walker didn’t play in this contest, allowing Johnson to draw the start with some of KC’s first-team offense on the field. Johnson split reps with Emari Demercado over the team’s first three drives, then left the game for good. He looks like the team’s No. 2 back, though all three backs have been the next man up behind Walker at some point during the preseason. Johnson isn’t guaranteed the backup job, but he’s now the favorite, putting him in the mix as a late-round flyer in deeper fantasy leagues.

Lance could have the inside track for the Saints’ short-term No. 3 wide receiver job with WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) sidelined, though WR Barion Brown will almost assuredly make the roster as a receiver and returner. Lance nearly added a decent, leaping downfield gain to his box score, but QB Spencer Rattler’s pass grazed off his fingertips along the sideline. Brown was not involved as a receiver today, but rushed twice for 19 yards and one touchdown, including an eight-yard jet sweep that got him into the end zone. He also returned one punt for four yards.

Wentz started this game and was on the field for two drives, both of which resulted in punts. J.J. McCarthy missed this game with an ankle issue and was already fighting for the backup job. The missed practice time and recurring injury issues likely have him behind Wentz on the depth chart when Week 1 comes around. The hope for Vikings fans is that Murray is a capable distributor of the football and neither Wentz nor McCarthy sees the field this year.

The questionable designation is a formality. The teams will not throw Mims back into this game after he left with a foot issue in the first half. Mims’ role as a receiver declined last year, but he remains one of the league’s best returners. Sean Payton would need to figure out a plan for both kick and punt return duties.

Davis appears to have secured a roster spot, but we won’t know for sure until Sunday. The broadcast initially referred to him as the starter, but it was instead RB Phil Mafah who took the field. Mafah dominated backfield touches throughout the first half, repeatedly running into Saints defenders on runs up the middle. He was spelled by RB Israel Abanikanda. Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue does not seem to be playing this evening. Last Sunday, The Athletic’s Jon Machota predicted Blue would seize the No. 2 running back job from Davis in-season.

Tracy left Friday’s preseason game against the Jets with an apparent injury in the second quarter. The Giants announced Tracy was evaluated for a concussion, but was able to clear concussion protocol. Before leaving the game, Tracy had 37 yards and a touchdown on four carries. He doesn’t carry much standalone fantasy value in a crowded Giants backfield that also includes Cam Skattebo, Najee Harris and Devin Singletary.

Harris saw his first game action since he suffered a torn Achilles last year. The 28-year-old running back had 39 yards on 11 carries and his longest run was for nine yards. Harris added a 20-yard reception, giving him 59 scrimmage yards on 12 opportunities. Harris was brought in to be a “significant contributor” to the Giants, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. He looked the part in Friday’s preseason finale against the Jets.

Lemon had a rough night, but tonight’s outcome does not make him any less of a top-tier prospect. The first-round rookie was sidelined by a recurring hamstring injury for much of the spring and summer, so a rusty first showing is understandable. Lemon took the blame, on the field, for QB Tanner McKee’s interception, although it is fair to note that McKee’s pass arrived late. Lemon had broken inward, off his stem, and an open window was available to the Eagles’ backup quarterback. Unfortunately, Lemon was forced to slow down and leap for the pass, accidentally batting it backward as he attempted to high-point it. Bengals CB Tacario Davis snagged it and that was that. Davis also broke up a pass intended for Lemon on a corner route 20 yards downfield earlier in the game. He had a good night. Lemon may need to ramp up for another couple of weeks, but he remains a smart draft pick in 12-team leagues. Lemon later went back into the game to field a punt, but went nowhere with it.

Meyers seemingly has the No. 4 wide receiver job locked up. On the first drive, he hauled in three passes. He bagged a nine-yard pass on an in-breaking route from the slot on the first, a 17-yard pass via a corner route from the slot and a 25-yard gain on the following play. The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. labeled Meyers a “roster lock,” saying at first a special teams returner role seemed to be Meyers’ ticket to a roster spot, but “the consistency of his playmaking at every turn of camp and the preseason made him undeniable.” He ran with the first-team offense in practice this week, and Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters said, “he can play all three positions.” File Meyers’ name away for down the road.