NFL Player News

Coach Mike McCarthy said Elliott (knee) won't practice Monday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Per Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Elliott said Monday that the swelling in his knee had gone down over the Cowboys' Week 9 bye, and he hopes to return to practice during Week 10 prep. However, the running back admitted he doesn't know when he'll be back in pads and added that he'll have to wear a brace on his knee when he returns to football activities. McCarthy said Monday's session was light, so it's a little discouraging that Elliott couldn't participate in any fashion, though his absence could be precautionary. Fantasy managers will likely have to monitor Elliott's status throughout the week, and his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Packers may come down to a game-time decision.

Head coach Dan Campbell indicated Monday that Swift did not suffer any setbacks during Sunday's victory over the Packers, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. "We're hopeful we can give him a little bit more this week," Campbell said.

After logging over half of the offensive snaps in his return from shoulder and ankle injuries in Week 8 against Miami, Swift logged just 16 percent Week 9 against Green Bay. While it isn't clear why the star running back would see less work if injuries weren't at play, the fact that Swift saw less action than Justin Jackson (21 percent) certainly makes Campbell's comments seem suspicious. Wednesday's initial injury report may provide further clarity to Swift's availability for a Week 10 matchup against the Bears.

Evans is considered week-to-week after suffering a PCL injury during Sunday's win over the Panthers, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Evans departed Sunday's matchup versus Carolina with an apparent knee injury, after he logged just one offensive snap and four special-teams opportunities in the contest. If the second-year pro is unable to gain medical clearance before Cincinnati's Week 11 game against Pittsburgh, then Trent Taylor appears next in line to handle kick returns.

Brown rushed three times for 16 yards and caught two of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Bengals.

Brown and Raheem Blackshear featured behind starting tailback D'Onta Foreman. Of the trio, it was the rookie Blackshear who was most productive, totaling 53 yards and a touchdown on nine touches. With a quick turnaround in Week 10 to face the Falcons on Thursday night, Carolina may remain without Chuba Hubbard (ankle), potentially opening opportunities for Brown and Blackshear once again.

Blackshear rushed five times for 13 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Bengals. He also caught all four of his targets for 40 yards.

Blackshear, a rookie from Virginia Tech, scored the first touchdown of his career with a two-yard rush late in the fourth quarter. Although the blowout nature of Sunday's game resulted in Blackshear getting more involved, it was nonetheless his best performance as a pro. In playing four more offensive snaps than fellow tailback Spencer Brown, Blackshear's usage could be interesting to monitor in Week 10's Thursday night game versus the Falcons, when Chuba Hubbard (ankle) may remain sidelined behind starter D'Onta Foreman.

The 49ers designated Mitchell (knee) to return from IR on Monday, Josh Dubow of The Associated Press reports.

Mitchell sprained his MCL during the season opener and has been on IR since. Jeff Wilson replaced him at first, but the 49ers since have traded Wilson to the Dolphins after acquiring Christian McCaffrey from the Panthers. With the move, Mitchell can practice ahead of Week 10, opening a 21-day window for the running back to be added to the active roster. However, it doesn't sound like Mitchell will remain sidelined for much longer, as Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported last week that Mitchell has been eyeing a return to action against the Chargers in Week 10. Regardless, when Mitchell eventually is activated, it's possible he'll be limited at first, and even when he's back to full speed, he'll operate as the No. 2 back behind McCaffrey.

Strong was on the field for 18 special-teams snaps in Sunday's 26-3 win over the Colts.

Though fellow RB Damien Harris (illness) was inactive, Strong didn't log any snaps on offense Sunday, while J.J. Taylor served as Rhamondre Stevenson's top backup in the contest. Strong remains off the fantasy radar for now, having recorded just one carry for five yards through seven games.

Akers rushed five times for two yards in Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Buccaneers.

Akers came into his first game since Week 5 averaging just 3.0 yards per carry, and despite facing a subpar run defense, the third-year back actually managed to lower that year-to-date YPC while taking the field for 11 offensive snaps. Darrell Henderson maintained his lead back status with a respectable 56 yards rushing, including a 23-yard scamper, and Malcolm Brown was also effective with his limited touches. Akers has been in limbo for the Rams in recent weeks after asking for a trade, and Sunday's dismal performance doesn't suggest he'll have any fantasy utility when the Cardinals come to town in Week 10.

Ford (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Monday.

The Browns now have a 21-day window to either activate Ford or leave him on IR for the remainder of the season. The running back has been out since suffering a left ankle injury in Week 4 versus the Falcons and would likely slide back into a prominent role as a return specialist for Cleveland once healthy.

Williams had zero rushing attempts but reeled in his only target for two yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss versus the Chargers.

With Cordarrelle Patterson back from IR, Williams saw his role reduced even more, garnering just three offensive snaps. When he's in the game, the converted defensive back is a pass-catching threat, but as long as Patterson, Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley are healthy, Williams' fantasy potential is severely limited.