NFL Player News

Kelley appears likely to get the bulk of the work out of the Chargers backfield in Sunday's game against the Titans with Austin Ekeler (ankle) listed as doubtful for the contest, Noah Camras of SI.com reports.

The Chargers leaned heavily on their ground attack in a 36-34 loss to the Dolphins in Week 1, allowing both Ekeler (16 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown, four catches for 47 yards on five targets) and Kelley (16 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown, no catches on one target) to come through with useful stat lines. Unless Ekeler -- who didn't practice all week -- makes more progress in his recovery from the ankle injury than anticipated as Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, he'll be inactive for Week 2, clearing the way for Kelley to take on a major role in one of the NFL's better offenses. Even if the Chargers rely more heavily on the passing game than they did in Week 1, Kelley should still operate as the clear-cut top option on the ground while also seeing more involvement than usual as a receiver. The other two healthy running backs on the Chargers' 53-man roster -- Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller -- have combined for 54 career offensive snaps, and neither may be trusted to handle any sort of meaningful change-of-pace role behind Kelley.

Ekeler (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Titans after not practicing this week.

Ekeler's Week 2 status will be confirmed ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but the official doubtful designation should prompt those who roster the star running back to seek a replacement for him this weekend. If Ekeler is ruled out, Joshua Kelley would be in line to lead the Chargers backfield this weekend, with Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller in reserve.

Conner (calf) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Giants, Bob McManaman of The Arizona Republic reports.

Conner was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday, before upgrading to full at the end of the week and telling reporters he felt good after the practice. He played 83 percent of Arizona's snaps on offense last week en route to 19 touches for 70 yards, while backup Keaontay Ingram was seldom-used and finished with minus-four yards on five carries. Conner should be busy again this Sunday against New York.

McFarland (knee) did not participate at practice Friday ahead of Monday's game versus Cleveland, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

It's looking increasingly unlikely McFarland will be available in Week 2 after managing just five offensive snaps in Week 1. If he misses time, it will leave Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren virtually alone to share carries out of Pittsburgh's backfield.

Hall (knee) logged a full practice Friday but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Dallas, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Hall started the week off with back-to-back limited practices, but his full participation Friday suggests the second-year running back is more likely than not to suit up Sunday. Per Cimini, coach Robert Saleh said Hall remains on a pitch count as the Jets ease the running back in after last year's torn ACL. Dalvin Cook had 16 touches to Hall's 11 in Monday's win over the Bills, and Cimini expects a similar distribution Sunday in Dallas.

Edwards-Helaire (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Jacksonville after being unable to practice Friday.

Edwards-Helaire didn't practice Wednesday or Friday, but he logged a full session Thursday in between. Per Adam Teicher of ESPN, Kansas City will likely promote either La'Mical Perine or Deneric Prince from the practice squad to join lead back Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon in the backfield if Edwards-Helaire is unable to suit up Sunday.

Ekeler (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so his apparent absence from Friday's session is concerning. The Chargers' final injury report of the week will reveal the running back's official injury designation, but if Ekeler is limited or out Sunday against the Titans, Joshua Kelley would be in line to see added work in the Chargers' Week 2 backfield.

Conner (calf) said Friday that he's feeling good and suggested he's ready for Sunday's game against the Giants, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

It remains to be seen if Conner is listed as questionable or avoids an injury designation on the final report Friday afternoon. He was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday after taking on 83 percent snap share and 19 touches for 70 yards in a 20-16 loss to Washington last week.

Jones (hamstring) missed another practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

The early exit last week combined with no practice participation this week suggests Jones is less than 50/50 to play and might take fewer snaps/touches than usual even if he does. AJ Dillon figures to fill in as the starter -- a situation that in previous instances led Dillon to more work than a healthy Jones normally would get -- while Patrick Taylor and Emanuel Wilson are the reserve options. Taylor was active ahead of Wilson last week after being called up from the practice squad, but it's unclear if that was about perceived value on offense, special teams or some combination of both. Either way, the Packers will be closely monitored this weekend with Jones and WR Christian Watson (hamstring) both listed as questionable heading into the 1 ET kickoff Sunday.

Evans (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus Baltimore.

As expected, Evans will carry an injury designation into Cincinnati's matchup versus the Ravens in Week 2. If he's out, fifth-round rookie Chase Brown would likely be in line to make his NFL debut.