NFL Player News

With Zach Wilson (knee) expected to miss the first three weeks of the season, Hall will open the campaign on a Jets offense led by backup quarterback Joe Flacco against the Ravens on Sunday, Randy Lange of the team's official site reports.

The Jets trade athleticism for experience under center with Flacco starting rather than Wilson, but they're likely to run a similar scheme either way. That game plan revolves around establishing the run, as offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur comes from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree in San Francisco. New York's unofficial depth chart lists second-year running back Michael Carter ahead of Hall, but the two will likely receive a near-even split in terms of playing time, with Hall favored to get touches by the goal line based on his short-yardage success at Iowa State.

Williams suffered a high-ankle sprain during Thursday night's 31-10 loss to the Bills that could sideline him up to six weeks, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The Rams haven't yet officially confirmed the severity of Williams' injury, but if he's indeed suffered a high-ankle sprain, the rookie fifth-round pick could end up on IR for at least four games. Jake Funk likely will slot into the No. 3 backfield spot behind Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers as long as Williams is sidelined.

Akers rushed three times for no gain and was not targeted in the passing game during the Rams' 31-10 loss to the Bills on Thursday night.

Akers was surprisingly 10 carries behind backfield mate Darrell Henderson's final tally, and his lack of involvement altogether in the passing game was also alarming. The 2020 second-round pick was thought to have the leg up on Henderson in terms of their backfield split coming into the season; consequently, how much the workload distribution is altered in a Week 2 home matchup against the Falcons a week from Sunday will be the subject of considerable fantasy scrutiny.

Singletary rushed eight times for 48 yards and secured both targets for 14 yards in the Bills' 31-10 win over the Rams on Thursday night.

Singletary's rushing yardage total was second only to that of Josh Allen's, and he also was efficient on his pair of opportunities in the passing game. The fourth-year pro logged only two more carries than backfield mate Zack Moss, but he was exponentially more efficient, considering the latter gained all of 15 yards. Meanwhile, rookie James Cook, who's expected to eventually be much more of a threat to Singletary's role, fumbled on his first and only touch of the contest. Therefore, Singletary appears to have no immediate threat of serious encroachment on his opportunities as the Bills prepare to next take the field in a Week 2 Monday night home clash against the Titans on Sept. 19.

Williams suffered an ankle injury during Thursday's game versus the Bills, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Williams didn't make an impact in the box score before the Rams deemed him questionable to return. If Williams is unable to do so, Jake Funk will bump up the Rams' depth chart at running back behind Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers.

Walker (hernia) officially didn't practice Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Earlier Thursday, coach Pete Carroll told Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle that Walker took part in Thursday's walkthrough and was slated to get some reps in practice. However, that didn't come to pass. During the portion of the session open to the media Thursday, the rookie second-round pick wasn't wearing a helmet, per Brady Henderson of ESPN.com, and he eventually went down as a DNP. Walker sat out the Seahawks' last two preseason games after undergoing a hernia procedure, and it appears he requires additional time to recover fully. If he's unable to suit up Monday against the Broncos, Rashaad Penny will lead Seattle's backfield, with Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas in reserve.

Johnson will back up Demetric Felton as the kickoff returner, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Johnson returned six kicks for 139 yards in 2021, third on the team behind Anthony Schwartz and Felton. He proved to an effective back when given a chance last season, but the Browns open with the healthy tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Mattison didn't practice Thursday due to personal reasons.

There's been no indication Mattison is in danger of not suiting up Sunday against the Packers, but Friday's practice report could be telling in that regard. Assuming he plays this weekend, he'll serve as the Vikings' primary backup to starting running back Dalvin Cook, which typically only equates to a handful of touches as long as the team's workhorse is healthy.

Dobbins (knee) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Per Kevin Eck of the Ravens' official site, head coach John Harbaugh noted Wednesday that Dobbins -- who suffered a season-ending ACL tear before the start of the 2021 campaign -- is "ascending quickly." With that in mind, clarity on Dobbins' Week 1 status could arrive once Friday's injury report is posted. If Dobbins is out or limited Sunday against the Jets, Mike Davis, Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill would be next up for touches in Baltimore's backfield.

McCaffrey was cut on the shin by a teammate's cleat Thursday, but head coach Matt Rhule said the running back was still a full participant in practice and fit in all of his normal work, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Though the Panthers chose to add McCaffrey to the injury report as a result, his ability to take every practice rep Thursday suggests he'll avoid taking a designation into Sunday's season opener versus the Browns. Coming off two injury-shortened seasons, McCaffrey's durability has come into question, but Rhule has provided no indication that the Panthers plan to dramatically reduce the talented back's workloads and snap counts in 2022 after he stayed healthy throughout the summer.