NFL Player News

Gainwell (ribs) practiced fully Thursday.

After having a cap on his reps Wednesday due to a rib injury, Gainwell returned to all activity one day later. He's thus in line to resume serving as the No. 2 running back for the Eagles behind Miles Sanders. The role hasn't amounted to much work, as Gainwell is averaging 4.4 touches for 18.6 yards from scrimmage on 19.2 offensive snaps per game, though he has managed to score a pair of rushing TDs through five contests.

The Patriots signed Harris off their practice squad Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The sixth-round rookie out of South Carolina was unable to secure a spot on the Patriots' Week 1 roster, but New England thought enough of the 5-foot-10, 225-pound back to include him on its practice squad once he cleared waivers. With Ty Montgomery (knee) having since been moved to injured reserve and with Damien Harris (hamstring) looking unlikely to suit up Sunday in Cleveland, Kevin Harris looks like he could get the chance to make his NFL debut Week 6. Though Rhamondre Stevenson is capable of playing on both early downs and passing downs and is projected to take on a heavier role than usual this weekend, Harris could make for an ideal power-running complement when Stevenson needs a breather.

Harris (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Harris was one of 12 players listed as limited by the Patriots, but with Evan Lazar of the team's official site suggesting that he could miss time due the hamstring injury he suffered Week 5, the running back's status for Sunday's game against the Browns is looking cloudy. Friday's injury report will reveal Harris' official injury designation, but if he's out or limited this weekend, Rhamondre Stevenson would be in line for added backfield work, with Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris -- the latter of whom was signed from the practice squad Thursday -- also in the mix.

Hill (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

The limited showing in practice marked Hill's first on-field activity since he injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of an Oct. 2 loss to the Bills. Prior to getting hurt, Hill had been explosive in his complementary role out of the Baltimore backfield, averaging 6.6 yards on 19 carries. Despite his success through the first four weeks, Hill could soon find himself behind both top back J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards (knee) on the depth chart. Edwards was designated for return from the PUP list Oct. 5 and could be cleared to make his season debut as soon as this Sunday against the Giants if the Ravens are comfortable with the health of his surgically-repaired knee.

Taylor (ankle) was officially limited at practice Thursday.

After being listed as a non-participant Wednesday, Taylor progressed to a limited session Thursday, which has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars. However, in order to enter the weekend minus a Week 6 injury designation, Taylor -- who was inactive Week 5 -- likely will have to log a full practice Friday.

Gibson is likely to serve as a backup running back for the Commanders in Thursday's game against the Bears with rookie Brian Robinson expected to serve as Washington's starter, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

During the preseason, Robinson looked to be trending toward the Week 1 start, but he ended up opening the regular season on the reserve/non-football injury list after he suffered two gunshot wounds in his leg Aug. 29, when he was the victim of an attempted robbery. While Robinson was out for the Commanders' first four games, Gibson was able to temporarily maintain his hold on the lead role out of the backfield, but he averaged just 3.3 yards on 53 carries in those contests. Robinson returned to the lineup Week 5 and was eased back in with an 18-snap workload in a loss to the Titans, but that was enough to result in Gibson dropping down to a season-low 32 percent snap share while he carried just three times for six yards. Head coach Ron Rivera hasn't elaborated on how he plans to divide the workload between Robinson, Gibson and pass-catching specialist J.D. McKissic on Thursday, but with the news that Robinson is on track to start, it's fair to expect Gibson's early down opportunities to tail off further. Gibson has shown some aptitude as a pass catcher during his career, so he may still have a chance to poach work from McKissic on third downs if Rivera wants to keep Gibson involved on offense in some capacity.

Robinson is expected to serve as Washington's starting running back during Thursday's game against the Bears, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.

During his NFL debut in last week's loss to the Titans after he missed the Commanders' first four games while recovering from two gunshot wounds in his leg, Robinson came off the bench and was part of a three-man backfield committee with starter Antonio Gibson and pass-catching specialist J.D. McKissic. All three backs played between 29 and 41 percent of Washington's offensive snaps against Tennessee, but Robinson could be on tap for at least a slight uptick in playing time at the expense of Gibson if he is in fact awarded the starting nod. McKissic is still likely to remain the Commanders' top option on passing downs, however, so Robinson's upside in PPR formats in particular may be capped even if he wrests the larger share of the early-down work away from Gibson.

Hill (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

This marks the running back's first practice participation since injuring his hamstring in the fourth quarter of the Ravens' Week 4 loss to the Bills. Hill thus has a chance to return to action Sunday against the Giants, but he'll presumably need to get at least one full practice under his belt in order to avoid a Week 6 injury designation.

Williams (knee) wasn't spotted on the practice field Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Williams is absent from practice from the second day in a row and looks on track to sit out Sunday's game in Seattle, as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Wednesday. Meanwhile, No. 1 back James Conner (ribs) is also sitting out Thursday's practice, while depth back Jonathan Ward (hamstring) was moved to injured reserve Wednesday. The lack of healthy options within the position group seemingly sets up Eno Benjamin to handle a sizable role this weekend if Conner is limited or out.

Conner (ribs) wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

If he eventually goes down as a non-participant for a second consecutive day, Conner will have just one more opportunity to mix into drills before Arizona tags him with a designation ahead of Sunday's contest at Seattle. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has called Conner day-to-day this week, so there's a chance the sixth-year pro doesn't need to practice to be available on game day. If Conner is limited or out this weekend, Eno Benjamin would take the reins of the Cardinals backfield with Darrel Williams (knee) unlikely to play and Jonathan Ward (hamstring) on injured reserve. Other candidates to get backfield touches are rookie Keaontay Ingram and practice-squad members Corey Clement and Ty'Son Williams.