NFL Player News

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.

Dallas elevated Davis from the practice squad to its active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game at the Eagles.

With Rico Dowdle (ankle) headed to the injured reserve list, Davis will now serve as the Cowboys' third running back. The 23-year-old back has not seen NFL game action yet, but he produced well as a rusher at Florida.

Mattison (shoulder), officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, is expected to play, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Mattison logged limited practices all week after suffering the injury in Minnesota's Week 5 win over Chicago. He earned a season-high 12 touches in that game but could see his workload scaled back in Week 6, given that he's nursing the shoulder injury along with the fact that Dalvin Cook is further removed from his own dislocated left shoulder, which he suffered Week 3. Mattison's status will become official when Minnesota releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Dallas placed Dowdle (ankle) on its injured reserve list Saturday.

Dowdle will be forced to sit out for at least the next four games after appearing in all of the Cowboys' first five games this season. In a corresponding move, Malik Davis was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster.

The Rams elevated Rivers from the practice squad to their active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game versus the Panthers.

Rivers will make his NFL debut in Week 6 with regular starting running back Cam Akers (personal) out. The rookie is small (5-foot-9, 195 pounds) and slow (4.60-second 40) by NFL standards, but he showed some ability as a pass catcher at Fresno State.