NFL Player News

Coach Frank Reich anticipates that Taylor (ankle) will be able to play Sunday against the Titans, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Meanwhile, Nyheim Hines has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, so it looks like the Colts will have their top three backs -- Taylor, Hines and Deon Jackson (quadriceps) -- available for Sunday's contest. Taylor was listed as a full practice participant Thursday, though Friday's final injury report will reveal whether he heads into the weekend carrying a Week 7 designation.

Blackshear is likely to see more touches on offense in the aftermath of Christian McCaffrey being traded to San Francisco, Ellis Williams of the Charlotte Observer reports.

D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard may not be the only beneficiaries of the star running back's departure. Williams believes Blackshear will be used as a receiving threat out of the backfield. The former Bills practice squad member has showcased the ability to make people miss in the open field as a return man on special teams.

Hubbard likely will work in a change-of-pace role behind D'Onta Foreman moving forward, Ellis Williams of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Foreman is in line to be the main beneficiary of the trade that sent Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco, though interim coach Steve Wilks said Friday that Foreman and Hubbard will form a running back committee with the Panthers riding the hot hand, per Joe Person of The Athletic. Both running backs are worth a speculative add in an offense that may continue to rely heavily on the position, but Hubbard has the lower touch floor.

Interim coach Steve Wilks said Friday that Foreman and Chuba Hubbard will form a running back committee following the trade that sent Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers, though Carolina plans to ride the hot hand, Joe Person of The Athletic reports. Ellis Williams of the Charlotte Observer expects Foreman to get most of the work on early downs.

Foreman and Hubbard were used sparingly while McCaffrey was on the team, but Foreman had the slight edge in playing time between the backups. Considering Foreman had three 100-yard rushing performances for the Titans after Derrick Henry got hurt last season, he could provide decent production if he's able to hold off Hubbard for touches.

Dobbins (knee) is not practicing Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Dobbins hasn't practiced in any capacity since his surgically repaired left knee tightened up versus the Giants in Week 6, and at this point it would be surprising if he's active for a significant role versus the Browns on Sunday. Friday's official practice report will provide an official game designation, but if he can't go this weekend the Ravens will lean on Kenyan Drake, Justice Hill and perhaps Gus Edwards (knee, PUP list) to handle increased backfield roles against Cleveland.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that McCaffrey is "still up in the air" to make his 49ers debut versus the Chiefs on Sunday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The 49ers parted ways with second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a 2024 fifth-round pick in order to trade for McCaffrey from the Panthers on Thursday, and while Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggested that the dual-threat running back could be available in red-zone packages for San Francisco in Week 7, Shanahan hasn't made a final decision on his status for Sunday's contest against Kansas City. The final say on McCaffrey's prospects this weekend may come down to the wire, but it should only be a matter of time before he picks up the playbook and solidifies himself as lead option in Shanahan's high-octane backfield scheme. Needless to say, McCaffrey's arrival signals a coming decline in touches for Jeff Wilson, as well as dampening the prospects of Elijah Mitchell (knee) when he eventually returns from IR.

With the 49ers having traded for Christian McCaffrey, per David Newton of ESPN.com, Wilson is in line to move to a complementary role in the team's offense.

Through six games, Wilson leads the 49ers with 81 carries, but once McCaffrey is up to speed with the team's playbook, he'll be slated to handle the bulk of San Fransisco's backfield touches. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, McCaffrey is a candidate to suit up Sunday against Kansas City and potentially be used in a red-zone package in such a scenario. In that context, Wilson could remain involved in his team's Week 7 rushing attack, but looking ahead, his fantasy utility should taper off in the weeks ahead once McCaffrey's workload increases.

McCaffrey, who is slated to travel to San Francisco on Friday after being traded from the Panthers to the 49ers, is expected to be available for Sunday's game against Kansas City, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The report suggests that McCaffrey -- who was sent to the 49ers for second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 as well as a fifth-rounder in 2024 -- likely will be used in a red-zone package Sunday if he does suit up versus the Chiefs. Beyond Week 7, once McCaffrey is up to speed with his new team's playbook, the dual-threat back should record ample touches in San Francisco's offense, a context that will result in Jeff Wilson (81 carries in six games to date) moving to a complementary role.

Benjamin rushed 12 times for 92 yards and a touchdown while adding four receptions for 21 yards on five targets in the Cardinals' 42-34 win over the Saints on Thursday night.

DeAndre Hopkins' stellar season debut and a pair of pick-sixes by the defense stole the headlines for the Cardinals on Thursday night, but Benjamin's contributions were critical as well. The third-year back got loose for a game-long 45-yard rush that made up nearly half his production, and his five-yard touchdown run just past the midway point of the fourth quarter proved especially important after the Saints went on to score a late touchdown and field goal. Benjamin's impressive showing aside, he'll be set to return to a complementary role if James Conner (ribs) is healthy enough to suit up for a Week 8 road showdown against the Vikings a week from Sunday.

Hubbard will see an increase in carries after Christian McCaffrey was traded Thursday.

Hubbard has been a non-factor through six games this season, managing only six carries. His workload will surely increase after the departure of McCaffrey, though it's unclear how Hubbard and D'Onta Foreman will split work moving forward, as Foreman has 12 carries as opposed to Hubbard's six. If a relatively even split occurs, both Hubbard and Foreman could struggle to post big lines given the current state of the Panthers' offense.