NFL Player News

Sanders was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a groin injury.

The groin injury is a new concern for Sanders, who was limited in a pair of practices last week due to a pectoral issue before suiting up for Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. Sanders' ability to practice in some capacity Wednesday at least suggests he's on the right track to play this Sunday against Minnesota, even if he happens to be at less than 100 percent.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that he plans to have Akers active for Sunday's game in Carolina, Matthew Coller of PurpleInsider.com reports.

The Vikings acquired Akers last Wednesday and made him a healthy inactive for Sunday's loss to the Chargers. O'Connell said last week that he still views Alexander Mattison as the team's lead back, something that's unlikely to change in the immediate future after Mattison rebounded from a rough start to the season with 25 touches for 125 yards this past Sunday. A benching down the road is still possible, of course, and if nothing else, Akers will face soft competition for backup touches. The relatively unproven Ty Chandler represents the only other back currently on the roster.

Hill (foot) isn't taking part in practice Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Gus Edwards, on the other hand, is suited up for practice just three days after his early departure from a loss to Indianapolis to be evaluated for a concussion. Hill and Edwards split the work out of the backfield in the Week 2 win over the Bengals after J.K. Dobbins' season-ending Achilles tear in the season opener, but Hill then missed the Week 3 loss to the Colts while recovering from turf toe. Hill appears in danger of missing another game when the Ravens travel to Cleveland this Sunday, with Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake being the alternatives if both Hill and Edwards are out.

Edwards (head) is taking part in practice Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Edwards left Sunday's loss to the Colts in the second half to be evaluated for a concussion and didn't end up returning during the fourth quarter or overtime. Melvin Gordon filled in as the lead back down the stretch, with the Ravens having already lost J.K. Dobbins to an Achilles tear Week 1 and with Justice Hill sitting out the contest while battling turf toe. Hill missed another practice Wednesday and thus seems less likely than Edwards to suit up this Sunday in Cleveland.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Ahmed (groin) is "progressing," Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network reports.

The team intends to put Ahmed through some drills Wednesday, but the extent of his participation won't be known until Miami releases its first Week 4 injury report later in the day. While Ahmed sat out last week's matchup with the Broncos, De'Von Achane stepped into the spotlight as the No. 2 back and accounted for 233 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns, a landmark performance that likely cements him as the second-string option behind starter Raheem Mostert moving forward. If Ahmed is healthy enough to play Sunday in Buffalo, he could end up seeing most of his snaps on special teams.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said he expects Hunt (ribs/groin) -- who didn't practice Wednesday -- to play Sunday against the Ravens, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Hunt emerged from his season debut in the Browns' Week 3 win over the Titans with a pair of injuries, but he looks like he'll be available this weekend against Baltimore, barring any setbacks. If Hunt is able to practice in any capacity Thursday and/or Friday, it would support Stefanski's assertion that the running back will be ready to go for Sunday.

Hunt won't practice Wednesday due to rib and groin injuries, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

In his season debut this past Sunday against the Titans, Hunt was on the field for 14 snaps on offense, finishing the day with five carries for 13 yards and two receptions for 22 yards. With an absence at practice on tap Wednesday, Hunt's status in now worth tracking as this weekend's game against the Ravens approaches. If he's able to suit up Sunday, Hunt would be in line to continue to work in a complementary role in Cleveland's backfield behind Jerome Ford.

Hall (knee) will be a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

The Jets continue to manage Hall's practice reps, but if the last few weeks are any indication, the running should practice fully by Friday before gaining clearance to play against the Chiefs on Sunday. In the Jets' Week 3 loss to the Patriots, Hall logged 31 snaps while rushing 12 times for 18 yards and catching one of his two targets for nine yards. Meanwhile, fellow back Dalvin Cook was on the field for 16 snaps, carrying eight times for 18 yards and catching all three of his targets for 11 yards.

The Vikings re-signed Gaskin to their practice squad Wednesday.

Minnesota released Gaskin on Tuesday, but he'll end up sticking around in the organization and will provide the Vikings with added backfield depth behind Alexander Mattison, Cam Akers and Ty Chandler. Gaskin -- who logged two special teams snaps Week 2 but didn't play in the Vikings' other two games -- will probably remain off the fantasy radar unless both Mattison and Akers simultaneously miss time.

Johnson rushed three times for six yards while catching both of his targets for six yards in Sunday's 37-17 loss to the Texans.

Johnson's three rushes and two catches were both season-highs through three weeks. Surprisingly, the veteran running back out-snapped top backup Tank Bigsby 12 to nine in the contest. Johnson was unable to produce much with his increased opportunities. Barring an injury to Travis Etienne or Bigbsy, Johnson should remain off the fantasy radar when the Jaguars host the Falcons in Week 4.