NFL Player News

Ekeler, who is dealing with what Tom Pelissero of NFL Network describes as a higher-type ankle sprain, is hopeful regarding a possible return to action next weekend against the Raiders.

That said, Pelissero suggests that with the Chargers on bye in Week 5, the team could elect to err on the side of caution with its top back versus Las Vegas in Week 4. As long as Ekeler is sidelined, Joshua Kelley is slated to lead Los Angeles' backfield, with Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller also on hand to log complementary snaps.

Barkley (ankle) has "a chance" to get back on the field for the Giants' Week 4 game Oct. 2 versus the Seahawks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Shortly after being ruled inactive ahead of Thursday's eventual 30-12 loss to the 49ers, Barkley acknowledged that he's dealing with a right high-ankle sprain. The Giants are viewing Barkley as week-to-week, and while an injury of this sort often keeps players out for multiple games, the running back should at least benefit from New York having a quasi-bye week due to the lengthy turnaround between its matchup with the 49ers this past Thursday and the matchup with the Seahawks, which falls on a Monday. The Giants will hold their first official Week 4 practice this coming Thursday, and if Barkley is able to take the field in at least a limited fashion, it would bode well for his chances of being ready to play by next Monday.

Gibbs is expected to receive the majority of the snaps out of the backfield in Sunday's game against the Falcons, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The report doesn't come as a major surprise, given that the Lions' lead option on the ground through the team's first two games -- David Montgomery (thigh) -- is listed as doubtful and thus in line to miss the Week 3 contest. Gibbs has made slightly more noise in the passing game than on the ground thus far during his rookie season, recording nine catches for 57 yards on nine targets and carrying 14 times for 59 yards. While he should remain the Lions' top pass-catching back throughout his rookie season, Gibbs' profile in the ground attack should noticeably expand this week with Montgomery out of the mix. However, Pelissero notes that the Lions still plan to keep the other two healthy backs on the roster -- Craig Reynolds and Zonovan Knight -- involved, so Gibbs may not be handed a true workhorse role Sunday. Still, Gibbs looks like he'll have his best opportunity to date to produce for fantasy managers.

Harris is "still very much a big part" of the Steelers' plans, though Mike Garofolo of NFL Network relays that Jaylen Warren is expected to see more involvement in the running game in Sunday's matchup with the Raiders.

Even if Warren's role in Pittsburgh's ground attack expands as anticipated, Harris still appears likely to pace the Steelers in carries Week 3. However, Harris' standing as the Steelers' lead back hasn't translated to an abundance of touches through the first two weeks, as he's been limited to just 16 carries for 74 yards (4.6 average). Harris already appears to have lost out to Warren as the Steelers' primary pass-catching back, as the latter has drawn 12 targets to Harris' four between Weeks 1 and 2. A more favorable game script against the 1-1 Raiders could lead to more volume on the ground Sunday, but Harris' overall fantasy value still seems to be trending down at the moment.

Warren is expected to get more work in the running game in Sunday's contest in Las Vegas, Mike Garofolo of NFL Network reports.

Garofolo notes that head coach Mike Tomlin had already alluded to Warren picking up more snaps after the second-year back accounted for 86 yards on 10 touches (six carries, four receptions) in the Steelers' Week 2 win over the Browns. Through the first two contests, Warren has logged 12 total targets, but he now looks poised to cut into starter Najee Harris' workload on the ground in addition to continuing to serve as the Steelers' top pass-catching back. Garofolo relays that Harris is still "a big part" of the team's plans, so he'll likely remain the Steelers' top ballcarrier Week 3 even though he could cede a few more touches than usual to Warren.

Pacheco (hamstring) is expected to suit up Sunday versus Chicago, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Pacheco is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's contest and was at one point considered a game-time decision, but he looks like he'll be on track to serve as the Chiefs' lead back for Week 3, barring any setbacks leading up to kickoff. Confirmation on Pacheco's status will arrive when the Chiefs release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the game's 4:25 p.m. ET start time. If indeed active, Pacheco could benefit from a favorable game script against a Chicago defense that has allowed 32.5 points per game through its first two contests.

Pacheco (hamstring) is deemed a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Bears, but the Chiefs are optimistic that he'll be able to suit up, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Pacheco's hamstring injury impacted his practice reps all week, keeping him sidelined Wednesday before he got in limited sessions Thursday and Friday. Still, he received a questionable tag entering the weekend. Kansas City doesn't kick things off until 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, so there will be less available running backs to pivot to if Pacheco ends up being inactive. The current in-house options are Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

The Jets signed Valladay to their practice squad Saturday.

Valladay was let go by the Jets on Friday but rejoined their practice squad one day later. He'll continue to wait for his opportunity to join the active roster, though that may only come should an injury occur with Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook, Michael Carter or Israel Abanikanda.

The Broncos elevated Washington to their active roster Saturday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Washington made his Broncos debut in Week 2 against the Commanders, and he played in 18 snaps on special teams. He'll likely resume that role for Denver's Week 3 bout against Miami on Sunday.

Chubb, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and won't return for the 2023 season, appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario regarding his left knee injury and could be ready to return to start next season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The gruesome knee injury Chubb suffered in Monday's loss to the Steelers looked to be something that could put the running back's status for this season and beyond in question, but there's growing sentiment that the four-time Pro Bowler avoided an ACL tear and dislocated knee and is instead dealing with a torn MCL. The Browns are expected to have further clarity regarding the recovery timeline after Chubb undergoes surgery to repair his knee next week, when doctors can assess the rest of the damage more closely. While a torn MCL is still a serious injury and is expected to entail a 6-to-8-month recovery, Chubb should have a good chance at being cleared ahead of training camp in 2024 if no other additional ligament damage is detected once he has his surgery.