NFL Player News

Taylor (ankle) was officially limited at practice Thursday.

After being listed as a non-participant Wednesday, Taylor progressed to a limited session Thursday, which has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars. However, in order to enter the weekend minus a Week 6 injury designation, Taylor -- who was inactive Week 5 -- likely will have to log a full practice Friday.

Gibson is likely to serve as a backup running back for the Commanders in Thursday's game against the Bears with rookie Brian Robinson expected to serve as Washington's starter, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

During the preseason, Robinson looked to be trending toward the Week 1 start, but he ended up opening the regular season on the reserve/non-football injury list after he suffered two gunshot wounds in his leg Aug. 29, when he was the victim of an attempted robbery. While Robinson was out for the Commanders' first four games, Gibson was able to temporarily maintain his hold on the lead role out of the backfield, but he averaged just 3.3 yards on 53 carries in those contests. Robinson returned to the lineup Week 5 and was eased back in with an 18-snap workload in a loss to the Titans, but that was enough to result in Gibson dropping down to a season-low 32 percent snap share while he carried just three times for six yards. Head coach Ron Rivera hasn't elaborated on how he plans to divide the workload between Robinson, Gibson and pass-catching specialist J.D. McKissic on Thursday, but with the news that Robinson is on track to start, it's fair to expect Gibson's early down opportunities to tail off further. Gibson has shown some aptitude as a pass catcher during his career, so he may still have a chance to poach work from McKissic on third downs if Rivera wants to keep Gibson involved on offense in some capacity.

Robinson is expected to serve as Washington's starting running back during Thursday's game against the Bears, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.

During his NFL debut in last week's loss to the Titans after he missed the Commanders' first four games while recovering from two gunshot wounds in his leg, Robinson came off the bench and was part of a three-man backfield committee with starter Antonio Gibson and pass-catching specialist J.D. McKissic. All three backs played between 29 and 41 percent of Washington's offensive snaps against Tennessee, but Robinson could be on tap for at least a slight uptick in playing time at the expense of Gibson if he is in fact awarded the starting nod. McKissic is still likely to remain the Commanders' top option on passing downs, however, so Robinson's upside in PPR formats in particular may be capped even if he wrests the larger share of the early-down work away from Gibson.

Hill (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

This marks the running back's first practice participation since injuring his hamstring in the fourth quarter of the Ravens' Week 4 loss to the Bills. Hill thus has a chance to return to action Sunday against the Giants, but he'll presumably need to get at least one full practice under his belt in order to avoid a Week 6 injury designation.

Williams (knee) wasn't spotted on the practice field Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Williams is absent from practice from the second day in a row and looks on track to sit out Sunday's game in Seattle, as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Wednesday. Meanwhile, No. 1 back James Conner (ribs) is also sitting out Thursday's practice, while depth back Jonathan Ward (hamstring) was moved to injured reserve Wednesday. The lack of healthy options within the position group seemingly sets up Eno Benjamin to handle a sizable role this weekend if Conner is limited or out.

Conner (ribs) wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

If he eventually goes down as a non-participant for a second consecutive day, Conner will have just one more opportunity to mix into drills before Arizona tags him with a designation ahead of Sunday's contest at Seattle. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has called Conner day-to-day this week, so there's a chance the sixth-year pro doesn't need to practice to be available on game day. If Conner is limited or out this weekend, Eno Benjamin would take the reins of the Cardinals backfield with Darrel Williams (knee) unlikely to play and Jonathan Ward (hamstring) on injured reserve. Other candidates to get backfield touches are rookie Keaontay Ingram and practice-squad members Corey Clement and Ty'Son Williams.

Taylor (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports.

Taylor was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, but his presence on the field Thursday bodes well for the running back's chances of returning to action Sunday against the Jaguars. The Colts' upcoming injury report will clarify Taylor's official level of participation.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Barkley (shoulder) will be a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Tom Rock of Newsday reports.

Even though Barkley's reps will be capped for the second day in a row due to the right shoulder injury he picked up the Giants' Week 5 win over the Packers, Daboll said he has no concern about the running back's ability to take on a full workload this weekend against the Ravens. If Barkley is able to upgrade to full participation at Friday's practice and doesn't carry a designation into Sunday, he would seemingly support Daboll's optimism.

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

Mostert sat out Wednesday's session, but his return to practice a day later is a positive indicator regarding his availability for Sunday's game against the Vikings. Thursday's upcoming injury report will clarify the running back's official participation level.

Funk signed with the Saints' practice squad Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Funk was waived by the Rams on Tuesday after playing just one offensive snap in the team's crowded running backs corps this season. However, the 2021 seventh-round pick could get a chance to record his first carry of the season as a potential game-day elevation for the Saints, as No. 1 running back Alvin Kamara has been in and out of the lineup with a rib injury this season. Funk also played 74 special-teams snaps over five games in 2022, which could also help his cause for a promotion to the active roster.