NFL Player News

Sanders (groin) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Detroit.

Sanders took a slightly different path compared to last week, with back-to-back limited practices followed by a full session rather than a DNP on Friday. It's nonetheless possible his groin injury contributes to backup RB Chuba Hubbard getting more opportunities, with Hubbard coming off season highs for touches (16) and snap share (54 percent) in last week's 21-13 loss to Minnesota. Neither back is a high-confidence fantasy play with the Panthers heading to Detroit as considerable underdogs against a defense ranked first in rushing yards allowed (243) and second in yards per carry (3.0).

Coach Brian Daboll suggested Friday that Barkley (ankle) could be a game-time decision Sunday in Miami, Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic reports.

Barkley is practicing again Friday but may end up as a limited participant with a 'questionable' designation on the final injury report. Matt Breida filled in as New York's starting RB the past two weeks and handled two of the three largest snap shares of his career (82 and 73 percent).

Herbert (ankle) said after Thursday's 40-20 win over Washington that he expects to be fine moving forward, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Herbert's early exit Thursday put a damper on an otherwise strong performance, as he racked up 76 yards on only 10 rushes. He'll have a few extra days to heal before the Bears' next game against the Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 15. Despite Herbert's optimism, his practice participation will bear monitoring leading into the Week 6 NFC North clash. If Herbert is able to play, he'll likely work as the top option in a backfield that also includes Roschon Johnson (concussion), Travis Homer (hamstring) and fullback Khari Blasingame, the latter of whom got eight carries Thursday after Chicago's three available running backs got hurt.

Gibson brought in four of six targets for 64 yards and didn't log a rush attempt in the Commanders' 40-20 loss to the Bears on Thursday night.

Gibson finished third in receiving yards on the night for the Commanders, with the change-of-pace back seeing plenty of opportunity due to Washington's sizable deficit. Gibson's reception and receiving yardage tallies were both season highs, and the complete absence of rush attempts was essentially a byproduct of game script, although Gibson does remain the clear No. 2 running back behind Brian Robinson.

Blasingame rushed eight times for 26 yards in the Bears' 40-20 win over the Commanders on Thursday night.

With Khalil Herbert (ankle), Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring) all exiting Thursday's game early, Blasingame was called on to help ice away the contest with the Bears holding a big second-half lead. Blasingame's touches were his first from scrimmage since arriving in Chicago last season and the only others of his career besides three rush attempts with the Titans in 2021. The Vanderbilt product will very likely be relegated to his customary blocking fullback duties if at least two of his injured teammates are able to return for a Week 6 home matchup against the Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 15.

Robinson rushed six times for 10 yards and brought in all four targets for 33 yards in the Commanders' 40-20 loss to the Bears on Thursday night.

Robinson's viability in the ground attack quickly evaporated when the Commanders fell behind by more than three touchdowns in the first half. That helped push him into more of a pass-catching role, resulting in a season high in receptions. Conversely, Robinson's carries and rushing yardage were both low-water marks for him this season, but he should have the benefit of a more normal game script in a Week 6 road matchup against the Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 15.

Herbert is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Bears after suffering a right ankle injury, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Herbert originally suffered the injury in the third quarter, when his leg got caught in the turf as he was being tackled. He was able to return to the game after having his ankle wrapped, but that only lasted briefly before he exited again. If Herbert is done for the night, Chicago will likely have to rely on Khari Blasingame to work out of the backfield with Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring) also dealing with injuries.

Homer suffered a hamstring injury on Thursday night against the Commanders and is listed as questionable to return.

The backup's exit leaves the Bears with just one available running back in starter Khalil Herbert. Roschon Johnson (concussion) already been ruled out, and D'Onta Foreman is inactive.

Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday's game against the Commanders.

Johnson exited the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. While there's been no official announcement about his diagnosis, Johnson will be out for the game after recording three rushes for 19 yards. He'll have nine days to recover prior to the Bears' Week 6 matchup against the Vikings.

Johnson exited Thursday's game against the Commanders to be evaluated for a concussion.

Johnson exited midway through the second quarter. Prior to his exit, he had three carries for 19 yards. It's unclear if he'll be able to return.