NFL Player News

Pierce (ankle) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pierce didn't practice last week before being ruled out for this past Sunday's 39-37 win over the Buccaneers. The running back now has two more chances to return to the field ahead of this weekend's game against the Bengals, but if he remains sidelined, Devin Singletary would once again be in line to handle the bulk of the Texans' backfield touches.

Strong won't practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

In the Browns' 27-0 win over the Cardinals this past Sunday, Strong recorded just five snaps on offense, carrying three times for nine yards and catching his only target for minus-7 yards. Strong wasn't reported to have sustained an injury during the contest, but the hamstring issue suddenly puts his availability for this Sunday's game against Baltimore in question. Even if he's able to overcome the issue by the weekend, Strong will be working behind both Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt. The Browns could elevate either Kenyan Drake or John Kelly from the practice squad if Strong isn't able to play Sunday and the team wants another depth option out of the backfield.

The Vikings placed Akers (Achilles) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Akers is done for the 2023 season due to a torn left Achilles' tendon suffered during Sunday's win over the Falcons. Previously, Akers was forced to miss most of the 2021 season after rupturing his right Achilles' tendon, but he's now dealing with an issue on the left side. Akers impressed in his brief time with Minnesota, rushing 38 times for 138 yards and a touchdown while securing 11 of 12 targets for 70 yards in six appearances following his acquisition from the Rams. Now that he's rehabbing a career-threatening injury for the second time in his career, Akers could have to wait a while before signing with a team during the upcoming offseason, when he's scheduled for free agency.

The Cardinals announced Wednesday that Conner (knee) has been designated for return from injured reserve, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

After missing the required four games since being placed on IR on Oct. 10, Conner will have his 21-day practice window opened when first eligible. Depending on how Conner fares over the next three days of practice, he'll have a chance at being activated ahead of Sunday's game versus the Falcons. Quarterback Kyler Murray (knee) also appears set to make his 2023 debut against Atlanta, meaning Arizona's offense could be close to full strength for the first time this season. The Cardinals have leaned on Emari Demercado (toe) in Conner's absence, though the rookie out of TCU wasn't able to play in a Week 9 loss to the Browns due to an injury.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh suggested Monday that Mitchell could be in line for an uptick in snaps moving forward as part of a three-man committee with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, Jonas Shaffer of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports. "I'm sure there'll be a rotation," Harbaugh said.

Though Harbaugh didn't go into specifics regarding what Mitchell's role might look like in the weeks to come, the undrafted rookie out of East Carolina may have earned himself a regular share of the backfield snaps and touches after a breakout performance in this past Sunday's 37-3 win over Seattle. After recording no carries in his first two NFL games, Mitchell gained 11, nine, nine and eight yards on four totes in the second quarter, then added a 40-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and a 60-yard scamper in the fourth. Given that Mitchell's 138 rushing yards didn't come purely in garbage time, he may have a good chance at usurping Hill for the top change-of-pace role behind Edwards, who should remain Baltimore's preferred early-down and goal-line back. Hill actually led the trio of backs with 13 carries (for 40 yards) against Seattle, though six of those touches came in the fourth quarter. Moreover, Hill is averaging a more modest 4.3 yards per carry and 4.5 yards per reception this season, while Mitchell has flashed more big-play upside, albeit in a smaller sample. Mitchell doesn't look to be a dependable option in fantasy lineups at this time, but he profiles as an intriguing speculative pickup in the event he pushes into a larger role on the heels of his big Week 9 outing.

Murray gained four yards on two carries and caught his only target for six yards in Sunday's 24-18 loss to the Bengals.

Murray saw limited opportunities while playing 45 percent of the Bills' offensive snaps. The veteran running back's four yards on the ground were a season low, while starter James Cook struggled to get going as well, rushing just six times for 20 yards. Murray is seeing limited usage even with Damien Harris (concussion/neck) on injured reserve. To muddy the waters even more in the backfield, the Bills signed Leonard Fournette to their practice squad on Oct. 30, and he could compete with Murray for the No. 2 role. Nonetheless, the 33-year-old will look to hold down his spot behind Cook and earn a bigger workload when the Bills host the Broncos in Week 10.

The Rams waived Gaskin Tuesday.

Signed off the Vikings' practice squad last month, Gaskin appeared in one game for the Rams, seeing just six special teams snaps. Kyren Williams (ankle) is eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 12, and the Rams are now on their bye. Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman have handled backfield duties in Williams' absence.

The Giants signed Hall to their practice squad Tuesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

With both Eric Gray (calf) and Gary Brightwell (hamstring) on injured reserve and Jashaun Corbin also nursing a hamstring issue, Hall gives the Giants organizational backfield depth. Hall has yet to register a regular-season carry in the NFL.

Bawden caught his only target for seven yards in Monday's 27-6 loss to the Chargers.

Bawden has one catch and one carry in eight appearances this season. The 27-year-old fullback plays almost exclusively in a blocking role.

Penny rushed twice for eight yards in Sunday's 28-23 win over the Cowboys.

The absence of Boston Scott (personal) allowed Penny to suit up for just the second time all season, but his role as the Eagles' third back was a very small one. He saw the field for just two offensive snaps, though he can at least take solace in the fact that the team called his number whenever he was in the game. Penny's role can't get much smaller when the Eagles return from their Week 10 bye, but it doesn't appear to be on the verge of getting much larger, either.