NFL Player News

Sermon (coach's decision) is listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

Sermon won't play for a second-straight contest due to a coach's decision, after he saw eight-combined snaps between Week 4 and Week 5. Barring any injuries to the team's RB room, the second year back isn't expected to see much time on the field for the Eagles.

Pollard is in line to handle a featured role out of the Dallas backfield in Sunday's game against Chicago with Ezekiel Elliott (knee/thigh) inactive for the contest, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Dallas moved up running backs Malik Davis and Qadree Ollison from the practice squad Saturday, but neither is a sure bet to poach a significant amount of snaps or touches from Pollard, who could be in store for one of the largest workloads of his career while Elliott sits out for the first time since Week 15 of the 2020 season. The Cowboys are on bye Week 9 before returning to action in Green Bay on Nov. 13, at which point Elliott may have made enough progress in his recovery from a Grade 2 right MCL sprain and a thigh bruise to re-enter the lineup. With that in mind, Pollard may be in store for only one game as the Cowboys' unquestioned lead back, but he'll at least make for a strong option in fantasy lineups this week.

Elliott (knee/thigh) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bears, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Elliott will miss his first game since Week 15 of the 2020 season after he failed to practice in any capacity this week while recovering from a Grade 2 right MCL sprain and a thigh bruise. With Elliott out of the lineup for at least this weekend, Tony Pollard should have an uncontested path to the lead role out of the Dallas backfield. The Cowboys are on bye Week 9, so Elliott may only miss one game due to his injuries before Dallas returns to action Nov. 13 in Green Bay.

Williams (knee) is listed as active Sunday at Minnesota, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

While Williams is putting an end to a two-game absence, the Arizona's No. 1 running back James Conner (ribs) is not, setting the stage for the former to get some work out of the backfield. That said, Williams may play second fiddle to Eno Benjamin, who has notched 34 touches for 178 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD the last two contests. As the healthier option, Benjamin again may be the team's main back, but Williams is a decent bet to get some short-yardage work.

Robinson will officially make his Jets debut Week 8 against the Patriots.

While it's unclear exactly what type of role Robinson will have in his first game since getting traded from the Jaguars, it sounds like he'll at least be involved in the offense in some capacity. Michael Carter is in line to serve as the likely top back following the season-ending knee injury to Breece Hall, but Robinson will look to cement a role behind him and potentially earn a larger one moving forward. Ty Johnson is another possible candidate to see a few more offensive snaps while Robinson gets acclimated, and the likely committee will be going against a New England run defense that ranks in the top-10 in terms of fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs in both standard and PPR formats.

Williams is expected to serve as a complementary option out of the Detroit backfield Sunday against the Dolphins while D'Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder) returns from a three-game absence, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

In the Lions' three games without Swift, Williams didn't see a major jump in his snap share -- which ranged between 34 and 54 percent -- but the 27-year-old still averaged 17 touches and 82.7 yards in those contests. Williams still earned double-digit touches in each of Detroit's first three games when Swift was active, but the former's fantasy ceiling is undoubtedly lower with Swift back in the lineup. Craig Reynolds, who served as the Lions' No. 2 back the past three games, will also see his opportunities take a hit in Swift's return.

Mack (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Though Mike Boone's (ankle) recent move to injured reserve opens up a spot for a third running back in Denver, Mack looks like he'll have to wait until after a Week 9 bye to make his Broncos debut after he was signed off the 49ers' practice squad Monday. Mack's lack of utility on special teams may have been a factor in him sitting out in London, as the Broncos are opting to keep Devine Ozigbo active in London as the No. 3 option behind Melvin Gordon and Latavius Murray.

Robinson will be active for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Though head coach Robert Saleh played coy when asked about Robinson's availability for Week 8 following his acquisition from the Jaguars on Monday, the running back looks like he'll have at least a small role in the Jets' game plan Sunday. Michael Carter is expected to replace the injured Breece Hall (knee) as the Jets' new lead back, but Robinson should get at least a handful of touches behind Carter and potentially push for a larger role as he becomes more acclimated to his new team. Robinson is unlikely to get enough volume Week 8 to make him a strong play in the majority of fantasy leagues.

Akers (personal), who is out for Sunday's game against San Francisco, would be expected to play for the Rams again this season if he isn't dealt prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Los Angeles would prefer to find a trade partner for Akers, Schefter reports, but if that doesn't materialize the team would expect the 2020 second-round pick to contribute this season. Akers, who didn't practice with the team this week and is set to miss a second straight contest, may have to get back in the good graces of the Rams' coaching staff if he isn't traded, though both sides still appear to prefer that route. Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown and Ronnie Rivers will helm Los Angeles' backfield versus the 49ers on Sunday.

Denver signed Ozigbo from its practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Ozigbo was elevated from the practice squad for Week 5 and played primarily on special teams, garnering one rush attempt for two yards across two offensive snaps. With Mike Boone (ankle) and Javonte Williams (knee) on IR, Ozigbo figures to operate as a depth option behind Melvin Gordon, Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack.