NFL Player News

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Wednesday that Achane (knee) will be placed on injured reserve, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The Dolphins haven't yet made the transaction official, but whenever Achane lands on IR, he'll be forced to miss at least four games. The rookie running back would then be eligible to return the field after the team's bye, meaning the Dolphins' Week 11 matchup versus the Raiders will be his earliest chance to play. Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports that McDaniel declined to reveal whether Achane's knee injury could require surgery, but said the issue is "not grave."

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus confirmed Wednesday that Johnson remains in concussion protocol, Courtney Cronin of ESPN reports.

Johnson left last Thursday's win over Washington due to the head injury. The Bears will release their first Week 6 practice report later Wednesday, and if Johnson is able to take part in the session as at least a limited participant, it would be a sign that he's made some progression through the five-step protocol. The rookie running back is hoping to be available for the Bears' Week 6 game against the Vikings on Sunday, when he could be primed to take on a larger role with lead runner Khalil Herbert (ankle) likely to miss the contest.

Panthers head coach Frank Reich said that Sanders won't practice Wednesday due to a shoulde injury, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Sanders had been listed with a groin issue on Panthers injury reports the past two weeks, but he appears to have picked up a shoulder injury during Carolina's loss to Detroit last Sunday. He'll have two more chances to return to the practice field ahead of Sunday's road matchup against the Dolphins. Chuba Hubbard, who led the Panthers in carries versus Detroit, would lead the Carolina backfield in Week 6 if Sanders is unable to play through the shoulder issue.

Head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday that the Colts plan to ramp up Taylor's workload Sunday against the Jaguars, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Taylor played just 10 snaps in his season debut against the Titans in Week 5, logging six carries and one catch during his brief time in the game. He had spent the first four weeks of the season on the PUP list due to an ankle injury and was signed to a three-year, $42 million extension shortly after being activated. Zack Moss rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns against Tennessee, and while Moss has likely earned himself a regular role on offense moving forward, Taylor should get the majority of backfield touches once he's up to full speed.

The Dolphins plan to place Achane (knee) on injured reserve this week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Once the move becomes official, Achane would then be forced to miss at least four games. With the Dolphins on bye Week 10, the soonest the running back could return to action would be Week 11 versus the Raiders. In Achane's looming absence, Raheem Mostert is slated to lead Miami's backfield, with Chris Brooks and Salvon Ahmed tentatively in line to serve in depth roles behind him. Meanwhile, Jeff Wilson (ribs) is expected to be designated for return from injured reserve and could be added to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers. Once activated, Wilson projects to work ahead of both Brooks and Ahmed as Mostert's top backup.

Pierce is averaging fewer yards after contact and per carry than he had as a rookie in 2022.

Thus far in 2023, Pierce's numbers are down across the board. He's averaged 2.21 yards after contact (3.29 in 2022), per Pro Football Focus, and 2.9 yards per carry overall (4.3 in 2022). Pierce's outlook gets bleaker in the red zone, where he's been stopped for no gain or lost yards on eight of 12 carries (0.33 yards per carry). Some of his struggles can be chalked up to injuries along the offensive line, but Pierce's red-zone rushing didn't get any better Week 5 against Atlanta with Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard on the field together for the first time. As a team, the Texans' red-zone offense has scored touchdowns at a 35.3 percent rate, better than just two teams in the league. Pierce remains the lead back, but the coaching staff is examining ways to be better in the red area, which could involve more passing or using No. 2 back Devin Singletary more frequently.

Williams rushed once for five yards in Sunday's 34-20 win over the Cardinals.

Williams handled just one carry for the third straight game Sunday. The veteran running back played just 12 of the Bengals' 82 offensive snaps, well behind starter Joe Mixon who saw the field for 63 snaps. Williams' lack of involvement will keep him far off the fantasy radar barring an injury to Mixon. Next up, the Bengals will host the Seahawks in Week 6.

Harris gained 13 yards on three carries and was not targeted in the passing game in Sunday's 25-20 loss to the Jaguars in London.

Harris has seen less snaps than veteran teammate Latavius Murray in all five games this season, while the former's rushing-yards high in 2023 is 33 yards in Week 2. Unless lead runner James Cook suffers an injury, Harris can safely be ignored in most leagues. While he may play an important role for the Bills, he's fallen a long way from his 15-TD season of 2021.

Murray gained six yards on two carries and caught his only target for one yard in Sunday's 25-20 loss to the Jaguars in London.

About the only good thing you can say about Murray's lackluster performance was that he continues to see more snaps (10-9 on Sunday) than teammate Damian Harris, something that's been the case in all five games this season. That said, James Cook is the clear top back for Buffalo and quarterback Josh Allen takes on a fair amount of rushing volume too, and he actually led the team in rushing Sunday with 14 yards. Murray does have two rushing touchdowns this season, but he's mostly un-rosterable outside of deep TD-only formats.

Williams (quadriceps) practiced fully at Tuesday's walkthrough, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Williams was considered a true game-time decision due to a quad injury for this past Sunday's contest against the Jets before the team made him inactive. Coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that Williams was "close" to being able to suit up, and if it was the postseason (instead of the regular season) he "could've gone." With Williams out Week 5, Samaje Perine got the start and played 38 of 63 offensive snaps on his way to 10 touches for 95 yards from scrimmage, while Jaleel McLaughlin earned 21 plays and reeled off 89 total yards and a TD catch on 12 touches. Williams' listing on Wednesday's injury report could clear up any questions about his availability for Thursday's contest at Kansas City. But the breakdown of work between Williams (if active), Perine and McLaughlin remains up in the air.