NFL Player News

Gibson (shin) is going through positional drills during Friday's practice, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Gibson sat out Wednesday's practice but returned as a limited participant Thursday, and it appears he's working in that capacity again Friday, at a minimum. The 23-year-old may not be able to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's matchup with the Packers, but he appears on track to play even if he officially ends up listed as questionable.

Kelly had two carries for 13 yards in Thursday's 17-14 win over the Broncos.

Kelly was added to the active roster off the Browns' practice squad, as both Nick Chubb (calf) and Kareem Hunt (calf) were sidelined. The 25-year-old was on the field for three snaps and served as the third back behind D'Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton. Chubb, who has missed two games but isn't on injured reserve, could return to action Week 8 against the Steelers. If he does, Kelly is unlikely to remain on the active roster for that contest.

Felton had two carries for 13 yards, caught all three of his targets and gained 21 yards, and returned two punts for 13 yards in Thursday's 17-14 victory over Denver.

As expected, with both Nick Chubb (calf) and Kareem Hunt (calf) unavailable, Felton was used on offense more than any previous game. The rookie back played a season-high 22 snaps and picked up the first rushing attempts of his career. Meanwhile, D'Ernest Johnson served as the lead back and will remain ahead of Felton on the depth chart leading into Week 8 against the Steelers. By then, Chubb may be ready to play, which would push Felton down to third in the pecking order.

Gordon rushed eight times for 18 yards and brought in two of three targets for 14 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos' 17-14 loss to the Browns on Thursday night.

Gordon's 2.3 yards per carry average underscores how tough the sledding was against Cleveland's stingy run defense, but the veteran back still gave fantasy managers some consolation with his eight-yard scoring grab midway through the third quarter. Gordon doubled up Javonte Williams in carries, but the eight rushing touches still qualified as his lowest total in that category this season. The Broncos will likely try to run a more balanced attack in a Week 8 home matchup versus Washington a week from Sunday.

Williams rushed four times for 20 yards and brought in six of seven targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos' 17-14 loss to the Browns on Thursday night.

Williams and Melvin Gordon combined for just 12 carries, but the rookie still found a way to make a fantasy impact with his 10-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter. Williams' reception total was also a career and team-high figure, and he now has multiple catches in five consecutive contests after opening his NFL career with a pair of one-reception tallies. Williams will look for more overall touches in a Week 8 home matchup against Washington a week from Sunday.

Johnson rushed 22 times for 146 yards and a touchdown and brought in both targets for 22 yards in the Browns' 17-14 win over the Broncos on Thursday night.

Johnson stole the show in his start in place of Nick Chubb (hamstring) and Kareem Hunt (IR-hamstring), repeatedly gashing the tough Broncos front seven for sizable gains on the ground. The third-year pro, who'd flashed occasionally during his time with the Orlando Apollos of the AAF back in the spring of 2019 but had seen very modest opportunities since joining the Browns later that same year, averaged a robust 6.6 yards per carry and notched his first career NFL touchdown on a four-yard run to cap off a five-play, 75-yard opening drive. Johnson could still see a solid workload as Chubb's main backup if the latter is ready to suit up for a Week 8 home AFC North showdown against the Steelers a week from Sunday.

Boone (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Browns, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Boone made his season debut last week but played just five offensive snaps against the Raiders. He won't suit up against Cleveland, and Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams will shoulder the load for the Broncos once again.

McNichols (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.

The running back suffered an ankle injury Monday night versus the Bills, causing him to leave the game early and also miss Wednesday's walkthrough. With his participation Thursday, his chances to play Sunday versus the Chiefs are a little higher. Friday's practice will offer a little more clarity on his availability. McNichols has operated behind Derrick Henry in the backfield this year, rushing the ball seven times for 38 yards while also making 17 catches for 160 yards and a score in six games.

Williams (illness) is unvaccinated, meaning he won't be able to clear the NFL's COVID-19 protocols until Saturday at the earliest, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Due to his status, Williams has a mandatory 10-day period in which he must remain away from the Bears. Only at that point will he be allowed to rejoin his teammates, if he's asymptomatic. He thus would seem very questionable to be available Sunday at Tampa Bay, which would allow Khalil Herbert to lead Chicago's backfield again.

Evans (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Evans' reps were capped for the second straight day while he continues to tend to a hamstring injury in the aftermath of setting season highs in offensive snaps (16) and touches (seven) in last week's win over the Lions. He served as the Bengals' No. 2 back for that contest behind Joe Mixon, but if available Sunday against the Ravens, Evans could drop to third on the depth chart. After sitting out against the Lions, Samaje Perine (illness) was reinstated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday and could immediately reclaim the top backup role he held prior to testing positive for the virus.