NFL Player News

Gaskin (coach's decision) is a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Even though he gained 33 yards on seven touches (four carries, three receptions) and played more snaps (13) than No. 2 back Chase Edmonds (nine) in the 40-17 loss to the Jets in Week 5, Gaskin will find himself in street clothes Sunday. The return of Salvon Ahmed from a one-game absence due to a back injury looks like it might have been enough to bump Gaskin to the inactive list. Gaskin is ahead of Ahmed in the pecking order out of the backfield, but Ahmed's ability to contribute on special teams was deemed more useful than having Gaskin on hand as extra depth behind starter Raheem Mostert.

Hill (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Giants.

With Hill out, look for Kenyan Drake to log added change-of-pace work behind J.K. Dobbins on Sunday, with Mike Davis also in reserve. Hill will target a potential return to action when the Ravens host the Browns in Week 7.

Mostert (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Mostert was tending to the knee injury in the aftermath of carrying 18 times for a season-high 113 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins' Week 5 loss to the Jets, but his ability to practice on a limited basis Thursday and Friday looks like it was enough to convince Miami to keep him active for Week 6. At this point, Mostert appears to have asserted himself as the top option out of the Miami backfield, but he could struggle to replicate the 18 carries he saw a week ago if the underdog Dolphins find themselves trailing early against Minnesota. Third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson will be making his first career start Sunday, and his presence under center could make it difficult for the Dolphins to string together long drives.

Mattison is active for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins.

Mattison picked up a shoulder injury during the Vikings' Week 5 win over the Bears and was limited at each practice ahead of Week 6, earning him a questionable designation. As expected, the backup running back will be available, but it's unclear how much work he'll get behind Dalvin Cook. Mattison turned a season-high 12 touches into 40 scrimmage yards last week and has totaled 37 touches for 154 yards and two scores across five appearances this year.

Harris (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.

With Harris out, look for the Patriots to lean heavily on Rhamondre Stevenson in Week 6, with Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris available to handle complementary roles Sunday. The fact that Damien Harris logged limited practices both Thursday and Friday offers hope that he could potentially avoid an extended absence, but he's not a lock to return to action in Week 7 against the Bears.

Jackson is expected to benefit from an expanded workload for the second game in a row with fellow backs Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Nyheim Hines (concussion) having both been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, The Associated Press reports. "What we're looking for is consistency in performance. We think Deon can provide that if needed," head coach Frank Reich said Friday, before Taylor and Hines were downgraded to out Saturday. "We feel like Deon took a major step [Week 5 against Denver]. I don't think he surprised us."

When Taylor sat out against Denver and when Hines exited after playing just three snaps, Jackson stepped up to take on the largest workload of his career. He played 44 snaps (60 percent) on offense in the 12-9 overtime win, carrying 13 times for 62 yards while adding four receptions for 29 yards on four targets. Meanwhile, Phillip Lindsay played 36 percent of the snaps in that game and totaled 54 yards from scrimmage on his 14 touches (11 carries, three receptions), and the Colts have elevated Lindsay from the practice squad once again with both Taylor and Hines sitting out. As such, Jackson and Lindsay could again form a timeshare out of the backfield that could make it difficult to depend on either to assume the overwhelming majority of the touches.

Akers (personal), who is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, may have played his last down in Los Angeles, as the Rams are expected to field trade offers on the running back, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Akers was absent from practices Thursday and Friday before being ruled out for the Week 6 game, and Rapoport relays that the 23-year-old's decision to step away from the team stemmed from philosophical and football-related differences with head coach Sean McVay. Sources tell Rapoport that the relationship between player and coach has remained cordial, so the possibility exists that Akers may be able to put aside his differences with the Rams and resume playing for the team if a trade suitor can't be found. The belief is that Akers will draw significant trade interest, however, despite his struggles to regain explosiveness as a ball carrier since he suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in July 2021. At least for Week 6 and likely beyond, Darrell Henderson is expected to serve as the Rams' clear top running back, with Malcolm Brown and Ronnie Rivers providing depth behind him.

Edwards (knee) wasn't activated from the PUP list ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, coach John Harbaugh indicated Friday that Edwards is getting close to a return, but at this stage the running back isn't quite ready to make his season debut. With Justice Hill (hamstring) listed as doubtful, look for Kenyan Drake and Mike Davis to work behind J.K. Dobbins versus New York on Sunday.

Harris (hamstring), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Browns, will work out prior to 1 p.m. ET kickoff before the Patriots determine his availability, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Harris appears to be a true game-time decision, so fantasy managers may not have confirmation of his status until New England posts its inactive list 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Previous reports have suggested that Harris' hamstring issue would force him to miss time, but the Patriots are giving him a chance to prove his health. If Harris were to sit out against Cleveland or is available only in a limited capacity, Rhamondre Stevenson would likely take on a lead role in New England's backfield.

Murray (wrist) doesn't have a designation for Monday's game at the Chargers.

On Oct. 3, the Broncos signed Murray of the Saints' practice squad in the wake of Javonte Williams' torn ACL, but he was a healthy scratch for the team's last game Thursday, Oct. 6, likely due to his lack of familiarity with the playbook. After logging full practices throughout Week 6 prep, though, Murray is ready for his Denver debut. With Melvin Gordon (neck/ribs) questionable, there's a chance Mike Boone and Murray may be more involved out of the backfield, assuming the latter is active.