NFL Player News

Mitchell is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals after he was a non-participant in Friday's practice due to a knee injury.

A Week 4 home matchup with a Cardinals squad that's a two-touchdown underdog profiles as a prime opportunity for Mitchell to take on added work behind lead back Christian McCaffrey, but the knee injury now threatens Mitchell's availability for the matchup between NFC West rivals. Though Mitchell was first added to the injury report Friday, head coach Kyle Shanahan told Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com that the running back actually sustained the injury in Thursday's session after getting tripped up. If Mitchell ends up being inactive ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, Jordan Mason would be the next man up for work behind McCaffrey. Tyrion Davis-Price, meanwhile, would be active for the first time this season as the 49ers' No. 3 back.

Kelley appears on track for his third straight start at running back Sunday against the Raiders with Austin Ekeler (ankle) listed as doubtful for the contest.

With three straight limited practices this week, Ekeler took a major step forward in his recovery from the high-ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined the past two games. However, with a bye on tap Week 5, the Chargers appear inclined to err on the side of caution with their lead back, who looks set to miss a third straight game before likely returning to action for a Week 6 matchup with the Cowboys on Oct. 16. Kelley is thus set up for another look as the Chargers' No. 1 back, though he hasn't exactly made the most of his previous two opportunities. Despite playing more than 70 percent of the snaps on offense in both of the past two games, Kelley has combined for 51 yards on 24 carries and one reception for five yards while failing to find the end zone.

Scott (concussion) practiced fully again Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Scott managed to participate fully in each of Philadelphia's three practices, and his lack of an injury designation suggests the running back has cleared concussion protocol. With a fully healthy backfield for the first time since Week 1, the Eagles will likely use Scott and Kenneth Gainwell in change-of-pace roles behind D'Andre Swift, while Rashaad Penny could be relegated back to inactive status, which was the case in the season opener.

Ahmed (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

After missing the 70-20 win over the Broncos in Week 3, Ahmed was a limited participant in all three of Miami's practices throughout Week 4. If he suits up Sunday, Ahmed will likely be relegated to a third-string role behind Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane, both of whom scored four touchdowns in Ahmed's absence against Denver.

Ekeler (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Ekeler, who has missed two straight games, was able to log limited practices this week, but he's trending toward another absence Sunday. Given that the Chargers are on bye Week 5, look for the team to take a cautious approach and hold Ekeler out for another game before he likely makes his return from a high-ankle sprain for a Week 6 matchup with the Cowboys on Oct. 16. Assuming Ekeler is inactive this weekend, Joshua Kelley will continue to lead the team's backfield versus Las Vegas, with Isaiah Spiller and Elijah Dotson available to handle complementary snaps.

Hunt (ribs/groin) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Hunt missed Wednesday's practice, but limited participation in sessions Thursday and Friday was enough for the running back to get the green light for Sunday. With Jerome Ford (shoulder) also healthy heading into the Week 4 game, Hunt will likely remain relegated to splitting change-of-pace duties with Pierre Strong. Hunt is set to make his second appearance of the season for the Browns after playing 14 snaps last week against the Titans in his 2023 debut following Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury.

Barkley (ankle) was a limited practice participant Friday, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Barkley now has back-to-back LP tags under his belt as he tries to avoid a second game absence this Monday against Seattle. Wise or not, the Giants being 1-2 in a tough division may be a factor here, as players typically miss multiple games after suffering high-ankle sprains. The most likely outcome at this point is a 'questionable' tag on the final injury report Saturday, with Barkley then being viewed as a game-time decision ahead of the MNF kickoff.

Hill (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

After missing the Week 3 loss to the Colts, Hill sat out Wednesday's practice before upgrading to limited participation Thursday and then full activity Friday. While the full practice wasn't enough for Hill to avoid an injury designation, he looks likely to avoid the inactive list ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Gus Edwards is averaging a strong 5.0 yards per carry on 29 rushes this season, while Hill has struggled badly at 2.6 YPC on 19 attempts. If anything, Edwards has closed the gap or even passed Hill on the depth chart, though Hill should at least remain the Ravens' preferred pass-catching back.

Homer (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 4 game against the Broncos, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Homer has mainly played special teams as the Bears' third or fourth running back, seeing just two offensive snaps. If he would need to miss Week 4, Homer's absence wouldn't be felt on offense.

Taylor (ankle) has increased the intensity of his workouts and appears to be ready to return from the PUP list when first eligible Week 5, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor was placed on the PUP list prior to the start of the season while he continued to rehab his surgically repaired right ankle, but the running back might have opened the campaign on the 53-man roster had he not put in a request for a trade upon reporting to camp. The Colts ultimately granted Taylor permission to seek out a trade a couple weeks after he submitted his request, but the offers Indianapolis received from inquiring teams apparently weren't satisfactory. Now that Taylor is a month removed from landing on the PUP list, it's unclear where his relationship stands with the Colts, but the 24-year-old looks as though he could be ready to play Week 5, whether it's with Indianapolis or another team. That being said, if Taylor is unwilling to rejoin the Colts at the start of the upcoming week or if the Colts elect to delay his activation from the PUP list while re-engaging in trade talks, it's possible his 2023 debut comes at a later date.