NFL Player News

Coach Ron Rivera said Monday it looks "very promising" Robinson (knee) could play Week 5 versus the Titans, Matthew Paras of The Washington Times reports.

Robinson hasn't yet been activated off the reserve/non-football injury list, but it's expected that such a move could be looming, with Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reporting that the rookie running back is in line to participate in practice Wednesday. The Commanders may opt to ease Robinson back into action, but he eventually could eat into the workloads of both Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic this season.

Allgeier is set for an expanded role after the Falcons placed Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) on injured reserve Monday, Scott Bair of the team's official site reports.

The injuries keep coming for the Falcons' running back room, which already has Damien Williams (ribs) on IR, so the rookie fifth-round pick may get an extended look as a lead back early in his career. With Patterson limited in the second half, Atlanta turned to Allgeier (11 touches for 104 yards) and Caleb Huntley (10 rushes for 56 yards and a score), as the two dominated on the ground en route to a comeback victory. After being elevated from the practice squad ahead of Week 4, Huntley officially was signed to the active roster Monday to take Patterson's spot, but Allgeier figures to get the first crack as the team's lead back in the absence of Patterson and Williams. Avery Williams, who was converted to running back this offseason, likely will get a few additional looks as well, but he's been limited to a change-of-pace role to start the season. Through three appearances, Allgeier has totaled 28 touches for 164 yards from scrimmage (5.9 yards per touch), but he'll face a stiff test against Tampa Bay in Week 5.

With Javonte Williams having suffered a season-ending knee injury, Boone could see added opportunities along with Melvin Gordon in the weeks ahead, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Given Gordon's experience as a lead back, the Broncos figure to lean more heavily on him in Williams' looming absence, but the 29-year-old has fumbled four times in as many games this season, and he'll need to take better care of the ball in order to maintain steady volume going forward. For his part, Boone has carried just three times for 20 yards to date, but unlike Gordon, he's likely available in most league's free-agent pools, making him a decent speculative add while seeing how Denver's backfield situation unfolds, beginning Thursday against the Colts.

With Javonte Williams having suffered a season-ending knee injury, Gordon is in line to see an expanded role in Denver's backfield in the weeks ahead, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Though Gordon has fumbled four times in as many games this season while sharing work with Williams, the 29-year-old's experience as a lead back makes him the obvious choice to see an uptick in volume, with Mike Boone also likely in line to log increased work and Devine Ozigbo a candidate to be elevated from Denver's practice squad.

The Falcons placed Patterson (knee) on injured reserve Monday following a procedure, Scott Bair of the team's official site reports.

Patterson will need to spend at least four games on IR, but per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the plan is for him to return this season. An actual timetable for Patterson's recovery remains undisclosed, as do details of his knee procedure. The veteran entered Sunday's 23-20 win over the Browns nursing a knee injury, and he logged only one carry in the second half before opting for surgery Monday. Rookie running back Tyler Allgeier looks primed for increased work in Patterson's stead, and Atlanta also inked Caleb Huntley to the 53-man roster in a corresponding move.

Taylor (ankle) has a chance to suit up for Thursday's game against the Broncos, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Initial tests on Taylor's ankle injury returned negative, and while the Colts will continue to monitor the star running back, it appears that he has a chance to play Week 5 if all goes well. More details about Taylor's status will be made available with Indianapolis' first injury report of the week, but if he ends up even limited in any capacity Thursday, Nyheim Hines and Deon Jackson will be in position for increased work out of the backfield.

Williams (knee) suffered a season-ending right ACL tear during Sunday's 32-23 loss to the Raiders, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Williams' injury is a brutal blow for Denver's offensive scheme and awful timing for the second-year pro, who had 47 carries for 204 yards (4.3 YPC) and 16 catches for 72 yards on 22 targets through the first four weeks of the season. Melvin Gordon looks set to take over as the Broncos' lead back in Williams' absence, beginning with a Thursday Knight Football matchup against the Colts, while Mike Boone also will be in line for increased work. Williams, meanwhile, will undergo surgery and turn his attention toward rehabbing for the 2023 campaign. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Williams additionally suffered a torn LCL and posterolateral corner.

Walker rushed eight times for 29 yards and caught his lone target for a five-yard loss in Sunday's 48-45 win over the Lions.

Walker was on the field for 25 offensive snaps (36 percent), but he wasn't effective on the ground or in the passing game. Meanwhile, veteran running back Rashaad Penny stole the show, as he rushed 17 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Penny is playing like he did toward the end of last season, so Walker likely won't have a consistent offensive role for the time being.

Snell didn't record any touches during the Steelers' 24-20 loss to the Jets on Sunday.

Snell played 69 percent of Pittsburgh's snaps on special teams Sunday, but he was held off the field offensively for a third consecutive week. The 2019 fourth-rounder is firmly behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on the Steelers' depth chart.

Warren rushed three times for 18 yards while securing his lone target for four yards during the Steelers' 24-20 loss to the Jets on Sunday.

Warren was on the field for just 25 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Monday, marking his second-lowest percentage of the season. However, he averaged a team-high 6.0 yards per carry, highlighted by a 14-yard run early in the second quarter. Warren's workload should remain limited as long as Najee Harris is healthy, but the Oklahoma State product has been efficient with his occasional opportunities this year.