As promised, a recap of how our 10 running backs on the fringe did this pre-season:
Here's the fully updated summary — all 10 players, current as of the latest research.
CONFIRMED CUT — Carson Steele (Eagles)
Officially waived. Room was full (Barkley/Bigsby/Shipley); 2.8 ypc rushing average undercut the case despite 14 catches/136 yards/2 TDs over the final two games. No outside interest reported. Expected to clear waivers and return to Philly's practice squad.
CONFIRMED CUT — Sam Scott (Jets)
Waived/injured earlier in the week, pending reversion to Jets' IR if unclaimed. No outside interest reported.
TRENDING STRONGLY POSITIVE — Dean Connors (Rams)
Finale: 18 carries/69 yards, 3 catches/24 yards/1 TD (his 3rd receiving TD of the preseason). Same day, the Rams
traded away Jarquez Hunter — one of his direct RB-room competitors — to Miami for WR Tutu Atwell, with a beat outlet noting the team "weren't exactly keen on him" behind Williams/Corum/Rivers. SI/Onsi's direct take: "Connors made his case for the roster," specifically citing his pass-catching as a skill the room otherwise lacks. Best-looking outlook of the group right now.
GENUINE BUBBLE, complicated by a trade — Lan Larison (Patriots)
Main competitor Hassan Haskins was released, but only because the Patriots traded for RB Corey Kiner, whom beat writers say is now "at or near the head of the line" for the RB3 job. Most recent projection has Larison making the 53 in a 4-man room, but flags real risk of him getting cut for a waiver claim instead. Rough finale (0 catches on 2 targets, including a drop). Genuinely unresolved.
UNRESOLVED, leaning cut — Anderson Castle (Colts)
Direct competitor Ulysses Bentley IV was confirmed waived and re-signed to the practice squad. A separate post-cut projection lists only McGowan and Bentley behind Taylor, with Castle absent. No direct transaction confirming Castle's own fate found yet.
LIKELY PRACTICE SQUAD — Cody Schrader (Broncos)
Presumed fullback Adam Prentice was confirmed waived (likely to a practice-squad arrangement as a vested veteran), but no reporting connects that move to opening a roster spot for Schrader specifically. Most recent full projection still has him ticketed for the practice squad, competing with Badie/McLaughlin.
LIKELY PRACTICE SQUAD — Eli Heidenreich (Steelers)
Given as low as 5% before the finale; a rushing TD bumped him to "an outside shot" per one beat writer, who still expects the practice squad. Crowded room (Warren, Dowdle, Homer, Johnson, Nichols).
LIKELY MAKES IT — Dylan Laube (Raiders)
No red flags. Multiple outlets have him locked into the final RB room, aided by Jeanty's injury opening real third-down usage.
LIKELY MAKES IT — Will Shipley (Eagles)
Rested in the finale — a sign of security. Led Eagles RBs in rushing earlier in preseason.
UNRESOLVED — Cash Jones (Falcons)
No team-specific transaction confirmed either way. Entered cutdown weekend in a genuine three-way battle (vs. Nate Carter, Tyler Goodson) for the RB3 job.
Snapshot: 2 confirmed cuts (no outside interest), 3 safe/trending-positive bets (Laube, Shipley, and now Connors), 2 leaning practice squad (Schrader, Heidenreich), and 3 still genuinely unresolved (Castle, Larison, Jones). Worth checking back after Monday's 1pm ET waiver-claim deadline — that should resolve Castle, Steele, and Scott's practice-squad fates, and likely surface fresh reporting on Jones and Larison.