NFL Player News

Conner (ribs) didn't practice Thursday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

After sitting out Wednesday's walk-through session. Conner followed it up with another absence at an official session one day later, giving him just one more opportunity to join his teammates on the field this week. Considering his veteran status and familiarity with the offense, he may not need to practice to be available on game day, though Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports that Conner is expected to sit out Sunday's game in Seattle. Friday's injury report should provide more clarity on Conner's status one way or the other, but if he ends up sitting out this weekend, Eno Benjamin is in line to lead the Cardinals backfield. With Darrel Williams (knee) also unlikely to play, the team's other running backs are rookie sixth-round pick Keaontay Ingram and practice-squad members Corey Clement and Ty'Son Williams.

Mostert (knee) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Mostert didn't practice Wednesday, but the running back's return to the field Thursday has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Vikings. Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Mostert indicated that his knee is fine and that he plans to play this weekend, a notion that could be solidified Friday if he heads into the weekend minus a Week 6 injury designation.

Mattison (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Mattison maintained his activity level from Wednesday's session, giving him just one more opportunity to get back to full this week. Even if he enters the weekend with a game-day designation, there's been no indication that he's in danger of sitting out Sunday at Miami. Assuming he's available, Mattison would be poised for modest work behind starting running back Dalvin Cook, which has amounted to 7.4 touches for 30.4 yards from scrimmage per game and two total TDs across five contests this season.

Boone (foot) was listed as limited at practice Thursday.

The same goes for fellow running back Melvin Gordon (neck/ribs), with the Broncos having listed 18 players on their initial Week 6 injury report. Boone and Gordon now have two more chances to up their practice participation level in advance of Monday night's game against the Chargers, but assuming both are active for the contest, Boone will be in line to continue to handle his share of complementary work behind Gordon. In his team's Week 5 loss to the Colts, Boone carried seven times for 38 yards and caught all three of his targets for 47 yards.

Gordon (neck/ribs) was listed as limited at practice Thursday.

As was fellow running back Mike Boone (foot), with the duo among 12 players listed as limited by the Broncos on Thursday. Gordon, who has taken over as Denver's lead back with Javonte Williams (knee) out for the season, now will have two more chances to upgrade to full practice participation ahead of Monday night's game against the Chargers. If so, he should approach the contest minus an injury designation, as was the case leading up to his team's Week 5 loss to the Colts.

Hines (concussion) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Per Zak Keefer of The Athletic, Hines continued to practice in a red non-contact jersey Thursday, suggesting that the running back has yet to fully clear the NFL's concussion protocols. Friday's injury report will reveal whether Hines and/or top back Jonathan Taylor (ankle, limited) approach Sunday's game against the Jaguars with injury designations or cleared for Week 6 action.

Gainwell (ribs) practiced fully Thursday.

After having a cap on his reps Wednesday due to a rib injury, Gainwell returned to all activity one day later. He's thus in line to resume serving as the No. 2 running back for the Eagles behind Miles Sanders. The role hasn't amounted to much work, as Gainwell is averaging 4.4 touches for 18.6 yards from scrimmage on 19.2 offensive snaps per game, though he has managed to score a pair of rushing TDs through five contests.

The Patriots signed Harris off their practice squad Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The sixth-round rookie out of South Carolina was unable to secure a spot on the Patriots' Week 1 roster, but New England thought enough of the 5-foot-10, 225-pound back to include him on its practice squad once he cleared waivers. With Ty Montgomery (knee) having since been moved to injured reserve and with Damien Harris (hamstring) looking unlikely to suit up Sunday in Cleveland, Kevin Harris looks like he could get the chance to make his NFL debut Week 6. Though Rhamondre Stevenson is capable of playing on both early downs and passing downs and is projected to take on a heavier role than usual this weekend, Harris could make for an ideal power-running complement when Stevenson needs a breather.

Harris (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Harris was one of 12 players listed as limited by the Patriots, but with Evan Lazar of the team's official site suggesting that he could miss time due the hamstring injury he suffered Week 5, the running back's status for Sunday's game against the Browns is looking cloudy. Friday's injury report will reveal Harris' official injury designation, but if he's out or limited this weekend, Rhamondre Stevenson would be in line for added backfield work, with Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris -- the latter of whom was signed from the practice squad Thursday -- also in the mix.

Hill (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

The limited showing in practice marked Hill's first on-field activity since he injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of an Oct. 2 loss to the Bills. Prior to getting hurt, Hill had been explosive in his complementary role out of the Baltimore backfield, averaging 6.6 yards on 19 carries. Despite his success through the first four weeks, Hill could soon find himself behind both top back J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards (knee) on the depth chart. Edwards was designated for return from the PUP list Oct. 5 and could be cleared to make his season debut as soon as this Sunday against the Giants if the Ravens are comfortable with the health of his surgically-repaired knee.