Running Backs
The bright spot for Seattle’ starting offense was again running back Christine Michael. Projected as the No. 2 running back to start the season, Michael finished with 55 yards on 10 carries Thursday.
Recent comments from team brass suggest Michael could be a big part of the Seattle offense, even if Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise are both available by Week One.
Thomas Rawls did not play, but he did go through a full pregame warmup, the strongest sign that Rawls may be ready for the regular season. Rawls will get a full week of practice next week
Detroit has struggled for years to develop a running game good enough to complement Matt Stafford and his receivers.
In the first quarter Thursday the Lions passed for 103 yards and rushed for 14.
The Falcons gained 498 yards, including 224 on the ground. ”The real story was the line of scrimmage,” Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said. ”For us to have the ability to run the ball like we did, that’s a real plus.”
Le’Veon Bell had his suspension reduced on Thursday from four games to three
Ryan Mathews‘ value in PPR formats figures to be reduced due to Darren Sproles‘ role on passing downs, who didn’t carry the ball Thursday but recorded three receptions for eight yards.
While recent reports suggest the Bears could deploy a committee, it’s increasingly clear Jeremy Langford will open the season as the lead back
Matt Jones left in the first quarter of the Redskins’ 22-18 victory over the New York Jets with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder.
Ezekiel Elliott, the fourth overall pick, was sidelined again with a mild hamstring injury that has kept him out of most of training camp. He’s expected to debut Thursday at Seattle.
Jay Ajayi and Arian Foster did little to settle things at running back.
Ajayi carried six times for 19 yards, and Foster had minus-5 yards on two carries in his first action since tearing an Achilles tendon in Week 4 of 2015, also his last year in Houston.
Dolphins averaged 3.2 yards per carry in the first half. The offensive line again looked shaky.
Wide Receivers
Jordy Nelson was out since the start of training camp with an injury to his left knee, which he called ”a hiccup.’‘
It is still uncertain if Nelson could play Green Bay’s next exhibition game, Aug. 26 at San Francisco
Tyler Boyd continues to impress. After a 40-yard catch in last week’s game, he made a nice diving grab of AndyDalton‘s pass for a 26-yard gain on Cincinnati’s first possession.
Boyd later caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from AJ McCarron with 12 seconds left in the first half. The Bengals do hope to have LaFell back by Week 1, but even so, Boyd is making a nice push for the starting gig across from A.J. Green, boasting three catches for 78 yards and a touchdown on five targets through the first two preseason games.
Julian Edelman was held out as he continues to take it easy after having a minor procedure this spring on his surgically repaired left foot
Corey Coleman, the team’s No. 1 draft pick, has yet to play in the preseason because of a left hamstring injury.
Jordan Matthews sat out with a knee injury.
Jaron Brown is in the mix at wide receiver, and had a chance to shine with Larry Fitzgerald not playing.
Brown continued his strong summer with a key third-down catch with the Cards backed up near their end zone.
Quarterbacks
Jay Cutler and Chicago’s offense started the game with a lot more pep following an anemic effort in the opener last week.
The Bears gained 78 yards of offense in the first half of their 22-0 loss to Denver last week. They gained 59 yards in first drive Thursday and surpassed last week’s total in the second possession.
Russell Wilson was sacked four times in the first half on Thursday, and after a decent debut last Saturday against Kansas City, Seattle’s overhauled offensive line struggled
Tight Ends
Rob Housler showed off some speed with a 52-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter.
Rob Gronkowski sat out for the second consecutive game after leaving the first practice of the week early with an undisclosed injury. The injury is not serious
Zach Sudfield should have every opportunity to battle for a starting spot in an offense that is in need of playmakers. Sudfield wasn’t targeted often Friday, but he made the most of his opportunities and hauled in every pass that was thrown his way, making an end zone nuisance
Lance Kendricks has a shot to become the Rams’ primary pass-catching tight end