NFL Player News

Montgomery (ankle/knee) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Sidelined for the second practice in a row, Montgomery is looking uncertain to play in Sunday's game against the Giants while he manages the two lower-body injuries. Unless Montgomery is able to get in some on-field work Friday, he'll likely sit out the Week 4 contest, which would pave the way for Khalil Herbert to take on a workhorse role out of the Chicago backfield.

Conner (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

For a second consecutive week, Conner is tending to a health concern, this time to his knee. So far, he's logged back-to-back capped sessions during Week 4 prep, so his listing on Friday's practice report may give a sense of his chances to suit up Sunday at Carolina. On the season, Conner is averaging a paltry 3.0 YPC on 30 rushes, hauled in 10 of 15 targets for 73 yards and scored one rushing touchdown.

McCaffrey (thigh) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice report, Ellis L. Williams of The Charlotte Observer reports.

The thigh injury kept McCaffrey off the practice field for the second day in a row, but head coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday that he wasn't concerned about the star tailback's availability for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. It's unclear if Rhule's stance has changed on the heels of another absence from practice, but more resolution on McCaffrey's status should come Friday, when Carolina holds its final Week 4 practice. If the thigh injury sidelines McCaffrey this weekend or results in him being limited, Chuba Hubbard and D'Onta Foreman would take on expanded roles out of the Panthers backfield.

Jones (illness) did not practice Thursday, Herbie Teope reports.

Jones missed his second practice in a row. Considering he is dealing with an illness, and not an injury, his inactivity may have less of an impact on his status for Sunday. More importantly, Jones is firmly behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon on the running back depth chart, and he hasn't been active for any of the first three regular-season games.

Cook (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

After being diagnosed with a dislocated left shoulder following last week's win over the Lions, Cook looked to be in legitimate danger of missing time, but his ability to practice fully Thursday largely assuages those fears. Though Cook is now on track to suit up Sunday against the Saints in London, he'll be playing with a harness to protect the dislocated shoulder. Cook isn't unfamiliar with playing through the injury, most notably doing so last season following a one-game absence and proceeding to log 27 carries for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 14 win over the Steelers. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Cook to reach those lofty heights again this weekend, but he should at least be able to handle his usual lead role while Alexander Mattison serves as his top complement.

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Gordon (neck) will remain a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Though Gordon has had his reps capped in both of the Broncos' first two Week 4 practice session, Hackett hasn't suggested that the running back's status is in major jeopardy for Sunday's 4:25 ET game against the Raiders. Assuming he's able to suit up for that contest, Gordon would continue to share backfield work with Javonte Williams this weekend versus Las Vegas.

Taylor (toe) was on the field for Thursday's practice, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

After sitting out Wednesday's session, Taylor's return to the field Thursday is encouraging, though the extent of his involvement won't be known until the Colts release their second injury report of the week later in the day. For what it's worth, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star relays that Taylor was donning full pads Thursday. In order to approach Sunday's game against the Titans minus an injury designation, Taylor presumably will need to log a full practice by Friday.

McCaffrey (thigh) wasn't present at the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

McCaffrey officially was a non-participant Wednesday due to a thigh concern, which appears as if it'll force a second straight absence to begin Week 4 prep. Coach Matt Rhule told Newton on Wednesday that the Panthers aren't concerned about McCaffrey's health, but his status still should be watched to ensure he'll be available Sunday against the Cardinals.

Cook (shoulder) was present for Thursday's practice, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Per Seifert, Cook wasn't doing much during the portion of the practice open to the media, so it remains to be seen how the Vikings officially report his participation level. The team's top running back, who didn't practice Wednesday, is considered day-to-day ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints in London.

Swift (shoulder/ankle) isn't practicing Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Swift's absence from practice for the second day in a row seemingly supports head coach Dan Campbell's assertion Wednesday that the running back isn't trending toward playing in Sunday's game against the Seahawks. The Lions will wait until Friday before providing a designation for Swift, but unless the third-year back is able to get back on the practice field in some capacity, Jamaal Williams and Craig Reynolds will likely head Detroit's Week 4 backfield. Swift, who is managing a sprained left shoulder in addition to an ankle issue, may also be a candidate to sit out through the Lions' Week 6 bye if he doesn't show any meaningful improvement by the time the Lions begin Week 5 prep next Wednesday.