NFL Player News

Evans may serve as the Bengals' No. 2 running back behind Joe Mixon (ankle) on Sunday at Detroit if Samaje Perine (illness) isn't activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Bengals placed Perine on the COVID list Tuesday after he tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, Mixon continued to have his practice reps capped due to a Week 4 ankle sprain. There's an expectation Mixon will be back to his normal self Sunday, which has equated to 19.7 touches per game in his 46 career starts. Still, Evans, a 2021 sixth-round pick, likely will get on the field as he seeks his first carry as a pro (he already has five catches for 55 yards on 16 offensive snaps).

Jacobs (illness) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos after returning to a limited practice Friday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Jacobs missed Thursday's practice session, but the running back's limited participation Friday and subsequent final listing on the Raiders' Week 6 injury report sets the stage for him to head the team's rushing attack this weekend against a stout Denver defense that has allowed an average of 85.4 rushing yards to date. Meanwhile, Peyton Barber (toe) is available to spell Jacobs in early down situations Sunday, while Kenyan Drake and possibly Jalen Richard are slated to work in change-of-pace roles versus the Broncos.

Mixon (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest at Detroit, is expected to handle a "normal" workload this weekend, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Mixon came out of Week 4 with what was termed a low-grade ankle sprain at the time. He didn't practice at all last week, but after putting in a positive workout last Saturday he began to trend in the right direction to suit up Week 5 against the Packers. Indeed, Mixon did just that, but he also handled his fewest touches in a game (11) since Week 6 of the 2019 season. He proceeded to sandwich limited sessions around a DNP on Thursday, and on Friday coach Zac Taylor implied Mixon would be back to his usual amount of work Sunday. "I think every week you come off a sprained ankle, it gets better," Taylor said. Mixon also may not have to contend for snaps with Samaje Perine, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. If rookie Chris Evans is Mixon's primary backup, the latter could approach the amount of work from his 46 career starts (19.7 touches for 90.3 yards from scrimmage per game, 27 TDs).

Elliott (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Elliott seemingly made it through last week's game without aggravating a sore knee, but he did hurt his chest/rib area when he fell on a camera pylon on the sideline. He then managed limited practice participation Wednesday through Friday, suggesting his name won't be on the Cowboys' inactive list this Sunday. The team is scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, with Tony Pollard on hand for a three-down role in the unlikely event Elliott can't go.

Edmonds (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest in Cleveland, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

For a second straight week, Edmonds' practice reps were capped due to a shoulder issue. He was considered a game-time call for last Sunday's game against the 49ers, but he suited up and played a typical 60 percent of the offensive snaps on his way to nine touches for 34 total yards. Backup James Conner also logged a normal snap share (48 percent), turning 11 touches into 37 yards and one TD. A cloud continues to hang over Edmonds' availability, which won't be known until 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. If he's available, Edmonds likely will work in a similar 1A-1B situation with Conner to the Week 5 breakdown.

Barkley (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Barkley hasn't been placed on IR but also didn't have a shot to play this week. He missed practice Wednesday through Friday, allowing Devontae Booker to step in as the lead back -- an assignment he figures to continue this Sunday against the Rams. After that, the Giants face Carolina in Week 7 and Kansas City in Week 8.

McKinnon is slated for more touches for at least the next three games after the Chiefs placed Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Blair Kerkhoff of The Kansas City Star reports.

Edwards-Helaire was diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his left knee after his early departure from Kansas City's Week 5 loss to the Bills. During that contest, McKinnon received a season-high 32 percent share of the offensive snaps, but he managed just one carry for two yards and two catches (on two targets) for 13 yards. Meanwhile, new presumptive starting RB Darrel Williams logged 41 percent of the plays on offense en route to eight touches for 45 total yards. Williams is expected to be the early down and goal-line back in Edwards-Helaire's place, but McKinnon's pass-catching ability should result in a regular role moving forward.

Jones (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Chicago, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Jones was a limited practice participant throughout the week but should be cleared for his typical workload this Sunday against a division rival. The Bears rank 12th in rushing yards allowed (103 per game) and eighth in YPC allowed (3.9), and they've given up the eighth fewest receptions to running backs (20) this season.

Swift (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

He's been listed as questionable every week and has been a limited participant in each official practice. It is possible the groin injury is a factor in Jamaal Williams getting so many carries, but Swift has remained productive nonetheless, with single-game lows of eight carries, five targets and 56 percent snap share. Swift should be busy again this Sunday, facing a Cincinnati defense that appears much improved from last season.

Williams (hip/illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Fellow running back D'Andre Swift also is questionable due to a groin injury. Williams sandwiched Thursday's absence from practice between a pair of limited sessions, and he'll likely be a game-time decision Sunday.