NFL Player News

Washington should be in line for his regular role Sunday against New England with Ashton Jeanty (foot/ankle) listed as active for the contest.

Washington was a hot name on the waiver wire this week after news surfaced of starter Ashton Jeanty dealing with a plantar fasciitis flare-up. The ankle/foot problems forced Jeanty to practice in a limited basis Thursday and miss Friday's session entirely, leading to some speculation that Jeanty would be in danger of missing the Week 5 matchup. Of course, Washington would have taken on a much greater role in that situation, but Jeanty's pregame warmup appeared to go well, and he was ultimately cleared for action. Washington still would be the next man up in the event of a re-injury or other form of aggravation, however.

Dowdle (toe) is inactive for Sunday's Week 5 game against the Colts.

The veteran running back will miss a third consecutive game while tending to the toe injury he sustained in a Week 2 loss to the Patriots. Dowdle was able to practice in limited fashion during each session of Week 5 prep, so there appears to be a good chance he manages to gain clearance for a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers next Sunday. Meanwhile, Jaylen Warren, who's logged 23 touches apiece in each of the first two games Dowdle has missed, will continue in a workhorse role out of the Steelers backfield against Indianapolis on Sunday.

Jeanty (ankle) is active for Sunday's game at New England after a pregame workout.

Jeanty's status was dependent on his pregame workout, and the second-year back has apparently shown enough to get clearance despite missing Friday's practice entirely. He'll be taking on a New England rushing defense that currently sits in the middle of the pack in terms of yards on the ground allowed per game (104.0). Should Jeanty's plantar fasciitis flare up during the game or force any limitations, Mike Washington would be the next man up.

Stevenson (knee) is active Week 5 against the Raiders.

After a week of limited practices, the expectation has been that Stevenson would suit up against the Raiders, and Sunday's official inactives report confirms that notion. He'll now be set to share backfield duties with TreVeyon Henderson against a below-average Raiders defense that is giving up 134.5 yards per game on the ground.

Shipley is questionable to return to Sunday's game versus the Jaguars in London due to a foot injury.

Shipley was dinged up after a carry in the second quarter and visited the medical tent on the Eagles sideline before going to the locker room. He was getting most of the backfield reps in place of an absent Saquon Barkley (hamstring) before his departure, and if Shipley is unable to re-enter Sunday's contest, the Eagles backfield likely will be paced by Dameon Pierce. Carson Steele is also on hand for reps.

Kamara (back) is expected to play in Sunday's contest against the Vikings, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kamara sat out Week 1 due to a sprained MCL and then proceeded to suit up the last three games before a back issue threatened his availability for Week 5. He followed up a DNP at Wednesday's walkthrough with limited sessions Thursday and Friday before heading into the weekend listed as questionable. Kamara's status will be clarified about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, and if he's active as anticipated, he'll continue to take on a modest workload out of the Saints backfield, which so far has equated to 36 touches for 121 yards from scrimmage and two rushing TDs this season.

Stevenson (knee) is expected to play in Sunday's game versus the Raiders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

After coach Mike Vrabel told Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com on Wednesday that Stevenson wouldn't practice due to a leg injury to kick off Week 5 prep, the running back wound up being limited and maintained that activity level through Friday with a listed knee injury. A questionable tag for Sunday followed, but per Rapoport, Stevenson is poised to play through the issue. What that means for the workloads of Stevenson and fellow RB TreVeyon Henderson remains to be seen.

Dowdle (toe) is unlikely to play in Sunday's game against the Colts, but the Steelers will make a final decision after pregame warmups, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

While Dowdle was listed as limited during the entirety of Week 5 prep and went into the weekend as questionable to play, he appears destined to miss a third consecutive contest due to a lingering toe injury. If Dowdle is indeed inactive when the Steelers post their list approximately 90 minutes before a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Jaylen Warren again will handle a workhorse role out of the backfield.

Jeanty (ankle/foot) is hopeful to play Sunday at New England, but he'll go through a pregame workout before a final determination is made, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jeanty opened Week 5 prep with a full practice and listed with only an ankle injury, but a foot issue was added Thursday when he was limited, and he capped the week Friday with no activity before going down as questionable to play. Rapoport reports that Jeanty is dealing with a flareup of plantar fasciitis, and how he feels following on-field work Sunday morning will determine his active or inactive status about 90 minutes before a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Mike Washington is on hand for an expanded role if Jeanty is inhibited or sidelined.

McNichols (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants.

McNichols remains on injured reserve, so his next chance to suit up will be Week 6 against the 49ers on Monday night. The Commanders will continue to roll with Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Austin Ekelers and special-teamer Craig Reynolds out of the backfield.