NFL Player News

Ekeler (ankle) isn't expected to practice Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Ekeler, who was inactive Week 2, also missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, and the running back's expected absence Friday clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Vikings. If Ekeler remains out this weekend, Joshua Kelley would be in line to lead the Chargers' Week 3 backfield, with Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller in reserve.

Scott cleared concussion protocol and returned to practice Friday, Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Scott is thus set to play Monday in Tampa Bay, getting some help from the extra rest period after Philly's win over Minnesota last Thursday night. Scott left that game early with a concussion, while D'Andre Swift dominated backfield work en route to 175 rushing yards and Rashaad Penny mixed in only occasionally. The big question this week is whether Week 1 lead back Kenneth Gainwell can return from the rib injury that held him out Week 2. If so, Scott likely will be marginalized and Swift's workload will be much tougher to project.

Patterson (thigh) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Detroit.

Patterson wasn't listed on the injury report Wednesday but then missed practice Thursday and was limited Friday. He was removed from the report last week before being inactive for a win over Green Bay, with his absence from the lineup possibly having more to do with the Falcons not needing him than his health. Whatever the case, Patterson apparently is bothered by his thigh again and now appears uncertain to play Week 3 for multiple reasons.

Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Friday that Hunt will play in Sunday's Week 3 game against the Titans, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hunt was just re-signed Wednesday and spent all offseason away from NFL camps, but the Browns evidently like the kind of shape he's in and plan to give him some snaps behind Jerome Ford. Reportedly playing 10 pounds lighter than he did in 2022, Hunt will start out competing with Pierre Strong as Ford's change of pace in the wake of Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury suffered in Week 2. Hunt is worth a speculative add in fantasy leagues.

Sanders (pectoral) isn't listed on the final injury report for Sunday's game in Seattle, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Sanders upgraded to full practice participation Friday after limited showings the previous two days. He'll continue to lead the Carolina backfield, though Chuba Hubbard also has been heavily involved with 18 touches for 119 yards from scrimmage through two games.

Hill (foot) wasn't present for practice Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

The Ravens officially list Hill as having a foot injury, but Hensley previously suggested that the running back is dealing with a toe issue. Friday's injury report will clarify whether Hill has a chance to play Sunday against the Colts, but if he's limited or out this weekend, Gus Edwards would likely start the contest, with practice-squad members Melvin Gordon and/or Kenyan Drake candidates to handle complementary backfield work.

The Jets cut Valladay from their practice squad Friday.

After going undrafted out of Arizona State back in April, Valladay has spent time with three teams, including the Texans, Steelers and Jets. He rushed 12 times for 30 scoreless yards (2.5 yards per carry) during the preseason.

Cook (personal) returned to practice Friday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Per Patrick Warren of the Bills' official site, Cook missed practice Thursday as he welcomed the birth of his daughter. With Cook back on the field Friday, the running back is on track to lead Buffalo's backfield Sunday against the Commanders. In the team's 38-10 Week 2 win over the Raiders, the 2022 second-rounder logged 17 carries for 123 yards and caught four passes for 36 yards.

Mitchell rushed 11 times for 42 yards and secured all three targets for two yards in the 49ers' 30-12 win over the Giants on Thursday night.

Mitchell went from not seeing any snaps in Week 2 against the Rams to more than doubling his Week 1 workload in extended action. The third-year back was able to give Christian McCaffrey some time off the field thanks in part to San Francisco's fourth-quarter lead, but Mitchell's week-to-week production will be hard to trust given head coach Kyle Shanahan has proven willing to entrust McCaffrey with a hefty workload in more competitive scenarios than Thursday's.

Breida rushed four times for 17 yards and a touchdown and brought in all three targets for one yard in the Giants' 30-12 loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.

Stepping in for Saquon Barkley (ankle), Breida somewhat unsurprisingly ended up with sparse opportunities on the ground against a 49ers team that overmatched the Giants on both sides of the ball. The veteran back did manage to salvage his fantasy night to an extent with an eight-yard touchdown rush with 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter, his first rushing score since Week 11 of last season. A report earlier Thursday indicated Barkley's injury is specifically a high-ankle sprain, which portends a potential multi-game absence. However, whether Breida will have another shot as the primary early down back in a Week 4 home matchup against the Seahawks on Monday night, Oct. 2 remains to be seen.