Team news: New England Patriots | Page 19

As the Lions’ RB competition unfolded, there weren’t many players who separated themselves. Injuries to Jermar Jefferson and Mohamed Ibrahim didn’t help, and the sudden retirement of Justin Jackson came as a surprise. When Craig Reynolds got the bulk of the carries in the first half of the preseason, it felt like you could pencil him in as RB3. However, the Lions’ initial 53-man roster has just two true running backs: Montgomery and Gibbs.

Not that many were worried about either option coming off the field after they spent so much monetary and draft capital on the two, but it's still a relief to know they're not part of a three-back rotation. It sounds as if Reynolds could be back on the team, as he's not subject to waivers. There will likely eventually be an RB3 on the roster, but it's clearly an afterthought for the team.

The Kansas City Chiefs have clarified the picture at running back after a competitive preseason in which there appeared to be multiple lead changes, so to speak, on the team's depth chart. In the end, the team decided to waive Deneric Prince rather than leave him on the active roster—at least by the league's deadline.

Related players: Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, La'Mical Perine

Prince was getting headlines recently as he was running with the first team. But as of late the rumors started flying that he wasn't going to make the team and he's officially waived. Some thought Prince could cut into McKinnon's work on passing downs.

Jaguars have trimmed their roster to 53.

They waived 2022 5th round pick RB Snoop Conner and three 2023 late round picks: TE/FB Derek Parish, S Erick Hallett II & DL Raymond Vohasek.

Related players: Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, JaMycal Hasty, D'Ernest Johnson

The Jags have themselves a pretty deep running back room. The emergence of Bigsby over the summer meant Conner's spot on the roster was in danger. With Etienne and Bigsby firmly at the top, Hasty established himself as a change of pace back last season. The team also signed Johnson in the offseason, who of course flashed with the Browns when getting chances behind Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb.

Jaguars Tank Bigsby led all RBs this preseason with 5 runs of 10+ runs.

Related players: Travis Etienne, JaMycal Hasty, D'Ernest Johnson, Snoop Conner

Bigsby finished with 28 attempts for 159 yards, 83 of those after contact, according to the post. Preseason stats don't get you fantasy points, but Etienne owners should maybe take note. It appears Bigsby has climbed to the RB2 spot on the depth chart ahead of established players like Hasty and Johnson. Bigsby has stood out all through camp, so if you can somehow manage to draft Etienne and Bigsby it may help your RB situation. Etienne can be had in the third round while Bigsby is going in the 12th.

The Browns are sending QB Joshua Dobbs and a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Cardinals for a 2024 fifth-round pick, per sources. Arizona hasn't named a starting QB, and now Dobbs is in the mix.

Related Players: Colt McCoy, Clayton Tune

Joshua Dobbs was with Cardinals OC Drew Petzing in Cleveland, so he knows the offense. With Kyler Murray still recovering from a torn ACL, it's now Dobbs competing with Colt McCoy and rookie Clayton Tune for the job.

The job is not appealing for fantasy purposes, but there's a slight chance there could be an opportunity for streaming in 2QB leagues.

Through two preseason games, Prince hasn’t managed a memorable snap. He has generated just 34 rushing yards on 10 attempts. Prince also appears to have lost his spot as the primary kickoff returner to Richie James, the six-year veteran receiver.

“As a rookie, the volume (of plays during camp) starts to hit you a little bit and it can slow you down,” Nagy said of Prince. “We have a great room of running backs. There’s great competition, and we’re trying to give all the guys (an) opportunity in different spots.”

Related Players: Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire La'Mical Perine

The article goes on to mention that La'Mical Perine has jumped over Prince on the running back depth chart, and even he is trying to make a case as the team's No. 4 option if they were to keep a fourth running back. Prince had positive buzz after handling some first-team reps earlier in the Summer, but that has faded after uninspiring reps in the preseason.

Bills receiver Stefon Diggs usually posts cryptic tweets. There was nothing cryptic about the tweet he posted last night.

“100% not true,” Diggs said. “I don’t know who the source is but I thought i nip this [stuff] in the bud already.”

The story went on to speculate Diggs undoubtedly was responding to a Monday claim from Stephen A. Smith of ESPN from Monday’s First Take: “Brother wants out, by the way. I’m just telling you what I know know. I got my own sources. Brother wants out. He don’t wanna be in Buffalo no more. I’m telling you right now. I have my sources. Stefon Diggs got to be there, but he would prefer to be gone.”

There has been speculation Diggs has wanted out at least since the team's playoff loss to end last season. As the story added, Diggs doesn't have a lot of choice other than to deny the claim.

Andy Reid said Isiah Pacheco will no longer work in a yellow, non-contact jersey, a positive sign for him ahead of the Sept. 7 season opener against the Lions.

Related players: Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, La'Mical Perine, Deneric Prince

Pacheco seems like he's on track to play Week 1 and looks to have a pretty clear path as the team's RB1. McKinnon, or the often cast-off Edwards-Helaire, will likely see some work as well and primarily catch passes. Prince has faded a bit from the headlines after getting some first-team reps recently.

Patriots TE Mike Gesicki suffered a mild dislocated shoulder during yesterday’s practice, source said.

Related players: Hunter Henry

As Rapoport pointed out, Gesicki has been impressive so far in camp. Rapoport added while nothing is given, the hope is he’s back for Week 1 despite the AC joint injury. As we stated yesterday, we do rank Henry higher than Gesicki on our TE list.

The Patriots are expected to sign former Cowboys star RB Ezekiel Elliott to a 1-year deal worth up to $6M after his successful FA visit earlier in camp.

Related players: Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong Jr., J.J. Taylor, Kevin Harris

As Rapoport added, New England loves Stevenson, but they’ve been seeking a running back to bang it between the tackles, while adding Elliott's prowess in pass blocking at the same time. The move seemed to be in the works for a while. Elliott is expected to take on a Damien Harris-type role in the Patriots offense, a role that saw Harris collect about 9-10 carries a game last season in 11 games. He ran for 4.36 YPA and added three TDs. Although older than Harris, Elliott could potentially see a similar workload, and he also has some pass-catching ability as well. Still, Elliott will likely be tough to trust even as a flex, at least early in the season until we see his role.