NFL Player News

Barkley (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Barkley appears to be in something of a holding pattern in his recovery from a right high-ankle sprain; he's now been limited in eight consecutive practices. The standout running back still has a chance to put an end to his three-game absence this Sunday against the Bills, but he may need to put in a full practice Friday for the Giants to give him the green light to play. Even if he plays this weekend, Barkley may not make for the slam-dunk lineup option he usually is, particularly in shallower leagues. In addition to the prospect of facing a negative game script in a road matchup against the heavily favored Bills, Barkley will be running behind a struggling offensive line and could be subject to a limited workload and snap count if he suits up.

Homer (hamstring) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

Homer has taken all but two of his 75 snaps on special teams through Chicago's first five games, but his status for this Sunday's game against the Vikings takes on greater importance while the top two backs on the Bears' depth chart, Khalil Herbert (ankle) and Roschon Johnson (concussion), are both nursing injuries. Unfortunately for Homer, he's joined Herbert and Johnson on the sideline for both of the Bears' first two Week 6 practices, leaving all three backs trending toward sitting out Sunday. If that's the case, D'Onta Foreman would likely be in line to serve as the Bears' lead option on the ground, while Darrynton Evans could fill the change-of-pace/passing-down role that might have otherwise gone to Johnson or Homer.

Johnson (concussion) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Johnson entered concussion protocol after he was removed from this past Thursday's 40-20 win over the Commanders and doesn't appear to have taken a notable step forward in his recovery from the injury just under a week later. With consecutive absences at practice to begin Week 6 prep, Johnson will likely need to mix into drills in some capacity Friday in addition to gaining clearance from an independent neurologist to have any chance at playing Sunday against the Vikings. Khalil Herbert (ankle) and Travis Homer (hamstring) have also been spectators for the Bears' first two Week 6 practices and appear to be trending toward absences Sunday, which likely leaves D'Onta Foreman on track to headline the Chicago backfield against the Vikings.

Herbert (ankle) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

Herbert has been a spectator for both of the Bears' first two Week 6 practices, a development that hardly comes as a surprise after he reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Bears' 40-20 win over the Commanders last Thursday. Though the Bears haven't officially ruled Herbert out for Sunday's game against the Vikings, high-ankle sprains typically entail multi-week recoveries. With Herbert unlikely to play Sunday and Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring) also seemingly trending in the wrong direction after sitting out practices Wednesday and Thursday, D'Onta Foreman could be in line to headline the Chicago backfield this weekend.

Sanders (shoulder) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

The shoulder issue has kept Sanders off the field for both of the Panthers' first two Week 6 practices, seemingly putting the 26-year-old in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Dolphins. The Panthers will wait and see if Sanders can mix into drills in some capacity Friday before potentially handing him a designation for Sunday. If Sanders is sidelined this weekend, Chuba Hubbard would likely have a clear path to a three-down role out of the Carolina backfield.

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt noted Thursday that Ford's knee issue isn't a concern ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Ford was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, but it appears as though his limitations were maintenance related. That said, the Browns' top running back will need to practice fully by Friday in order to avoid a Week 6 injury designation.

Ford was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Even with the benefit of a Week 5 bye, Ford is apparently banged up as the Browns begin preparing for Sunday's matchup with the 49ers. The Browns' lead back has two more chances to upgrade to full participation and thus avoid taking an injury designation into the weekend.

Ingram (neck) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Dating back to last week, Ingram has been listed as a limited participant on three consecutive injury reports due to a neck issue. He may need to get back to full activity before the Cardinals feel comfortable clearing him for game action, as he's sat out two straight contests. Still, head coach Jonathan Gannon told Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com on Wednesday that the team expects Ingram to play Sunday at the Rams. If Ingram is able to do so, he could get the first chance to start for James Conner (knee) during the latter's stint on injured reserve, especially considering Ingram currently is listed as the No. 1 back on Arizona's depth chart. Aside from Ingram, the other candidates for backfield reps are undrafted rookie Emari Demercado, Tony Jones and practice-squad members Damien Williams and Corey Clement.

Rodriguez (illness) was not listed on Washington's injury report Wednesday.

Rodriguez missed Washington's past two games with an illness, but it now looks like he should be good to go for Week 6. Through three games this season, he's seen just three carries for seven yards.

McLaughlin is expected to face more competition for reps out of the backfield Thursday against the Chiefs with Javonte Williams (hip) set to enter the Week 6 contest without an injury designation, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

McLaughlin thrived with Williams out for the Week 5 loss to the Jets and for much of the Week 4 win over Chicago, piling up 193 yards and two touchdowns on 22 touches in the past two contests while sharing backfield snaps with Samaje Perine. As impressive as the undrafted rookie has been, he won't be guaranteed to garner more than a handful of touches with both Williams and Perine back in the fold Thursday. McLaughlin at least seemed to move ahead of Perine in the pecking order for carries even before Williams' hip injury, with Perine largely resigned to playing in passing situations.