August 17, 2025
Denver Broncos running back
Jaleel McLaughlin put his best foot forward in Saturday's preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals in his attempt to win a 53-man roster spot. In the 27-7 win over Arizona in the second preseason game, McLaughlin had only three carries, but it was enough to lead the team in rushing with 48 yards. The 24-year-old's second rushing attempt of the contest went for a game-high 35 yards. McLaughlin entered the game after both rookie
RJ Harvey and
Tyler Badie, suggesting he's the RB4 on the current depth chart going into the final week of the preseason. He's been an effective complementary option in his two years in the NFL, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, but the additions of Harvey and
J.K. Dobbins in the offseason made things even more difficult for McLaughlin to have a sizeable role in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL.com
August 17, 2025
Denver Broncos quarterback
Jarrett Stidham got the start in the team's second preseason game on Saturday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals and looked amazing, going 16-for-23 passing for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-7 victory. Starter
Bo Nix got this game off, so Stidham saw most of the action under center before giving way to
Sam Ehlinger late. Rookie receiver
Pat Bryant was one of Stidham's favorite targets, as he hooked up with him four times for 70 yards. Second-year pass-catcher
Troy Franklin was his other favorite target, and both of his TDs went to the Oregon product. The 29-year-old Stidham signed a two-year, $12 million contract with Denver back in March to return as Nix's backup in 2025 and beyond. Based on the way Stidham looked on Saturday, Denver's offense could still be decent this year if Nix misses time with injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: nfl.com
August 17, 2025
Even though rookie
Jaxson Dart has starred over his first two preseason games, the New York Giants are sticking with
Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback. "Russ is our starter," head coach Brian Daboll said after a 31-12 win over the New York Jets on Saturday. Wilson started the game and went 4-for-7 for 108 yards and an interception. The highlight of his night was a perfect deep ball to wide receiver
Beaux Collins that turned into an 80-yard pickup and set the Giants up at the Jets' one-yard line. Dart came in after Wilson and was superb for the second straight game, going 14-for-16 for 137 yards and a score. He added another touchdown on a one-yard dive. Although the 25th overall pick from Ole Miss has gone 26-for-35 for 291 yards and two passing TDs this preseason, the Giants are sticking with their plan to have him learn the ropes behind the 36-year-old Wilson.
--Connor ByrneSource: Ian Rapoport
August
17,
2025
Green
Bay
Packers
running
back
MarShawn
Lloyd
(hamstring)
left
the
team's
23-19
win
over
the
Indianapolis
Colts
on
Saturday
with
hamstring
tightness,
Tom
Silverstein
of
the
Milwaukee
Journal
Sentinel
reports.
Lloyd
suffered
the
injury
when
he
read more...
August 17, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter contributed a bit more in the passing game in the team's second preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Saturday. The entire team couldn't get much going, but Carter ended up with 10 yards on eight carries to go along with five receptions for 19 yards on five targets. Carter is trying to fight his way into the depth chart with the likes of
Emari Demercado and
DeeJay Dallas, which is a doable feat, but the run game has left a lot to be desired in Arizona. Through two games this preseason, Carter has amassed 15 carries for 30 yards and five catches for 19 yards.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 17, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado had a solid game in the preseason opener, but couldn't get much going in their second game on Saturday. He registered just 15 yards on six carries and didn't catch his lone target of the day. At this rate, the Cardinals are trying to decide who will slot into the third and fourth running back spots, which comes down to Demercado,
DeeJay Dallas, and
Michael Carter. Despite the uninspiring game, Demercado seems to be in the lead, but he'll need to fine-tune some things in their final preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 17, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Jacoby Brissett was only behind center for two drives on Saturday, but made the best of it during the 27-7 loss to the Denver Broncos. The veteran finished the day with 57 yards and a touchdown on 6-for-8 passing, and one carry for two yards. After going three-and-out on the opening drive, Brissett led the team on an 11-play, 67-yard drive that was capped off with a 16-yard touchdown throw to
Simi Fehoko. Even though
Clayton Tune has been with the team for a couple of years now, Brissett seems to have the backup spot all but locked up.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 17, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
Sione Vaki rushed for 30 yards on five carries in his 2025 preseason debut against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday. Vaki has been dealing with a lingering hamstring injury throughout training camp, but he returned to practice in full earlier this week. The second-year back is "showing good vision and wiggle," according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. A fourth-round pick out of Utah in 2024, Vaki is competing with veteran
Craig Reynolds for the RB3 job in Detroit behind
Jahmyr Gibbs and
David Montgomery. Vaki is still new to the running back position after playing mostly as a safety in college, so his development could take longer than the average young player. With Gibbs and Montgomery ahead of him on the depth chart, Vaki is highly unlikely to be fantasy-relevant in 2025.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
August 17, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Cooper Rush ended up getting the victory against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, but his performance left a lot to be desired. The eighth-year backup registered 198 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 20-for-30 passing in one half of work. One of his two interceptions was returned for a touchdown in the first quarter, and a lot of his throws were on the shorter-to-midrange side. He averaged 6.6 yards per completion, and he now has 214 yards, one score, and three interceptions through two preseason games. For the Ravens' sake, they'll hope
Lamar Jackson stays healthy throughout the whole year.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 17, 2025
Baltimore Ravens running back
D'Ernest Johnson has looked solid in the seventh preseason of his career. During the 31-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Johnson accrued 61 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and one reception for six yards on four targets. After playing a depth role in Jacksonville last season, Johnson is looking to bring his versatility to another team. He currently has 29 carries for 118 yards and a touchdown through two games this preseason. While it doesn't seem too likely that he sticks in Baltimore, he could get another opportunity if someone suffers an injury around the league. Johnson registered more than 41 carries in just one season and finished last year with 32 carries for 143 yards and 12 catches for 96 yards on 19 targets.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 17, 2025
Denver Broncos tight end
Evan Engram recently praised second-year wide receiver
Troy Franklin, saying that it's "really evident (Franklin) is going to have a big year." A fourth-round pick in 2024, Franklin recorded 28 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games as a rookie. The 22-year-old has had a strong preseason so far, recording nine catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns across the team's first two games.
Courtland Sutton is the clear WR1 in Denver, but there's an opportunity for Franklin to emerge as the WR2 amongst a group that also includes
Marvin Mims Jr.,
Devaughn Vele, and rookie
Pat Bryant.
--Will BradySource: Denver Broncos - Aric DiLalla
August 17, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka didn't see a ton of action, but was able to help his team during their second preseason matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. Egbuka was on the field for the first three drives and made an impact during his little time on the field. The rookie wideout hauled in one of his two targets for a five-yard touchdown. It was an impressive corner grab by Egbuka and a solid throw by quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater. Egbuka could be asked to make an impact early in the season if
Chris Godwin (ankle) is sidelined to start the season.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
August 17, 2025
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh officially named rookie
Tyler Loop the team's starting kicker after he nailed five field goals in preseason action against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night. Loop has been the only kicker on the roster since the Ravens released
John Hoyland earlier this month, but Harbaugh's statement indicates that Baltimore does not plan to bring in another veteran. A sixth-round pick out of Arizona, Loop made 83.8% of his field goals and 98.4% of his extra-point attempts in 50 career college games. He's made six out of his eight preseason field goal attempts so far.
--Will BradySource: Baltimore Ravens - Clifton Brown
August 17, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Bucky Irving played the first three offensive drives during Saturday's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Irving was one of the few offensive skill-position players to actually take the field on Saturday. The 22-year-old didn't have a ton of success as he rushed eight times for 12 yards on the ground. However, Irving made up for it with a 15-yard touchdown grab from
Teddy Bridgewater. Irving is penciled in as the primary back in Tampa Bay with
Rachaad White mixing in for carries as well.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
August 17, 2025
Baltimore Ravens running back
Keaton Mitchell (hamstring) has a hamstring injury, but he will be "fine for the opener," according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh also did not rule Mitchell out for the Ravens' final preseason game against the Washington Commanders next Saturday. A torn ACL that he suffered in Week 15 of 2023 limited Mitchell to just five games in 2024, so it's unfortunate to see him battling injuries once again. Thankfully, this ailment does not appear to be particularly serious. Once he returns, Mitchell will be competing with
Justice Hill and
Rasheen Ali for playing time in the Baltimore backfield behind
Derrick Henry.
--Will BradySource: Baltimore Ravens
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