NFL Player News

The Bengals did not activate Samaje Perine from the reserve/COVID-19 list meaning Mixon (ankle) is expected to carry the full workload Sunday against the Lions.

In a corresponding move the Bengals elevated Trayveon Williams from the practice with the expectation he, not Chris Evans, will operate as the backup behind Mixon. Last week, the star tailback saw his fewest touches in a game since Week 6 of the 2019 season due to a low-grade ankle sprain, but it appears as if Mixon will be more or less back to his usual workload, particularly with experienced backup Perine not in the picture. Through five weeks, the Lions have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs in the NFL.

Williams has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions.

Williams will take over for Samaje Perine, who will not be activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for Sunday's contest. The 23-year-old made a couple of brief appearances last season when Joe Mixon was sidelined, most notably tallying a 12-carry, three-catch effort as the de-facto starter in Week 14 against the Cowboys. The move essentially guarantees Mixon will be expected to handle his full workload, an important distinction considering he's currently listed as questionable with a nagging ankle injury.

Johnson is expected to be active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals as a reserve running back behind top option Kareem Hunt (wrist/knee), Jared Mueller of USA Today reports.

Nick Chubb (calf) has been ruled out of the game, which creates an opportunity for Johnson, who has played just eight snaps on offense in 2021. Hunt is slated to take the lead back role, but he was hampered by knee and wrist injuries during practice and is listed as questionable for the contest. Should those injuries hinder Hunt or prompt the Browns to ease up on his workload, Johnson and Demetric Felton are poised to step in.

Jones rushed five times for 20 yards and secured his only target for nine yards in the Buccaneers' 28-22 win over the Eagles on Thursday night.

For the third straight contest, Jones worked as a clear understudy to lead back Leonard Fournette, who garnered 28 total touches to Jones' six. The fourth-year back saw just 13 snaps from scrimmage, his fourth consecutive game under 15 plays. At this point, it appears it will take an injury to Fournette for Jones to have any fantasy relevance beyond the deepest of formats.

Gainwell caught one of his two targets for one yard in Thursday's 28-22 loss to the Buccaneers.

Gainwell wasn't a part of the running game at all in this one and has seen his carries level out over the last four weeks after garnering 15 over the season's first two games. The rookie has now seen just six totes since Week 2 ended.

Hubbard will be the Panthers' starting running back Sunday against the Vikings with Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) sidelined for a third consecutive game, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Since taking over for McCaffrey in the second quarter of a Week 3 win at Houston, Hubbard has racked up 48 carries for 210 yards and 10 catches (on 13 targets) for 74 yards. Most of Hubbard's output during that stretch came Week 5, when he reeled off 134 yards from scrimmage on 29 touches against the Eagles. With Royce Freeman the only competition for reps out of the Panthers backfield -- he has 13 touches over the last three games -- Hubbard yet again is poised to be the lead runner in Carolina.

Taylor (groin) listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Taylor was added to the Patriots' Week 6 injury report Friday after being limited by a groin injury during the team's final practice of the week. Also listed as questionable for Sunday's contest is lead back Damien Harris (ribs), leaving Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden as the team's healthiest backfield options heading into the weekend.

Harris (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys after practicing in a limited fashion Thursday and Friday.

After being forced out of New England's Week 5 win over the Texans, first by a chest issue and then by a rib injury, Harris logged a DNP on Wednesday. His subsequent return to practice, albeit in a limited capacity, is encouraging, but the running back's status nonetheless should be monitored as Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff approaches. If Harris ends up limited at all or out, Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden would be next up for touches in New England's backfield. Meanwhile, reserve back J.J. Taylor also is listed as questionable after being added to the Patriots' injury report Friday due to a groin injury.

Coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Penny (calf) is expected to return to practice next week when he's first eligible to be designated to return from injured reserve, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

While Penny has been dealing with a strained calf since the season opener, the Seahawks didn't place him on IR until just before Week 4. Thus, his time away from practice started ticking at that point, and Sunday's game in Pittsburgh will mark his third that he'll be on the reserve list. Elsewhere in the backfield, starter Chris Carson (neck) himself may be going to injured reserve soon, meaning Penny could get back in the mix as soon as Week 7 against the Saints if he proves his health, beginning next Thursday. In the meantime, Alex Collins will handle early downs for Seattle, with DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer around for any RB work that lingers.

Gordon (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders after logging limited practices both Thursday and Friday.

Given the official questionable tag, Gordon's status will be worth monitoring as Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, though Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com indicates that he fully expects the running back to be available this weekend. If that's the case, Gordon will continue to split backfield work with rookie Javonte Williams, an arrangement that's resulted in Gordon averaging 56.4 rushing yards and 19.2 receiving yards to date to go along with a pair of TDs.