NFL Player News

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday that Boone (quadriceps) is "ready to go," suggesting the running back could be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Assuming Boone is activated, he could factor into the Denver backfield mix right away, as Melvin Gordon is dealing with a hip issue that caused him to miss practice Wednesday. The Broncos haven't suggested whether Gordon is at any major risk of sitting out Sunday, so if he's ultimately cleared to play and Boone gets activated, the latter would likely be third in line for touches out of the backfield behind Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams.

Gordon missed Wednesday's practice due to a hip injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

In the previous two weeks of prep, Gordon tended to rib and lower leg issues, which now have been replaced by a new health concern. He also recorded a season-low 11 touches in both Weeks 4 and 5, combining for 18 carries for 90 yards and four catches (on six targets) for 20 yards between those contests. Meanwhile, rookie second-round pick Javonte Williams continues to play second fiddle in the Broncos backfield, combining for 15 rushes for 109 yards and six receptions (on as many targets) for 36 yards during that same two-game span. Gordon's new injury could open the door for the script to flip for the two running backs, but the seventh-year veteran will have two more chances to get on the practice field this week and set himself up to play Sunday against the Raiders.

Wilkins (illness) didn't participate at Wednesday's practice.

Wilkins was inactive for Monday's loss to the Ravens due to an illness, and he still hasn't been cleared to practice. It's unclear when the 27-year-old is expected to retake the field.

Williams was limited at practice Wednesday by foot and knee injuries.

Williams stepped in for an absent David Montgomery (knee) this past Sunday at Las Vegas, racking up 16 carries for 64 yards and one touchdown to go with two catches (on three targets) for 20 yards. Rookie sixth-rounder Khalil Herbert also got some run, churning out 75 yards on 18 totes. Both running backs got about 50 percent of the offensive snaps Week 5, so if Williams is less than 100 percent this weekend versus the Packers, Herbert could overtake the veteran in the backfield pecking order in the short term. Ultimately, Williams' progress in practice this week likely will have bearing on the eventual breakdown of snaps between him and Herbert.

Jones (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jones again is putting in capped showings at practice for a third week in a row. In his two games while playing through his ankle issue, Jones has compiled 29 carries for 151 yards and seven catches (on nine targets) for 57 yards. Jones will look to ditch his injury designation by the week's end as the Packers prepare to face the Bears' 12th-ranked run defense (103.8 yards per game) Sunday.

Harris isn't listed on Pittsburgh's injury report Wednesday, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Harris' absence from the report confirms that he was merely forced out of Sunday's 27-19 win over the Broncos due to cramping. The Steelers have scaled Harris' playing time back a bit since he handled a 100 percent snap share Week 1, but he's still handling a three-down role and has clearly become more of a priority when he's on the field. He should be busy again Sunday against the Seahawks.

Harris (ribs) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Harris was in attendance for Wednesday's practice, but he apparently didn't take part in any team drills and thus wasn't designated as a limited or full participation. The running back's practice activity will be worth tracking closely the next two days to gain a better sense of whether he'll be ready to play Sunday against the Cowboys. If England's lead back is limited or out this weekend, Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden would be next in line for work.

Mattison was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury.

Mattison has filled in admirably for Dalvin Cook (ankle) during recent absences in Weeks 3 and 5, racking up at least 150 yards from scrimmage on both occasions and recording a receiving touchdown in the latter contest. Now, Mattison seems to be less healthy than Cook, as he didn't do more than take part in stretching before heading indoors at the start of practice Wednesday, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. As for Cook, he officially was limited to begin Week 6 prep, so this situation bears monitoring as the week goes on to get a sense on who among the two will be available Sunday in Carolina.

Cook (ankle) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Cook has been plagued by a sprained right ankle since picking up the injury Week 2 against the Cardinals. He's appeared in just one of the Vikings' last three games, combining for 11 touches and 44 yards from scrimmage in a Week 4 loss to the Browns. Alexander Mattison has been filling in for Cook during that stretch, but the former didn't do anything more than stretch out before going inside at the start of practice Wednesday, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. Officially, Mattison was a non-participant due to a shoulder issue, so Cook actually appears to be the healthier of the two running backs at the moment. As a result, the Vikings backfield will be one to watch closely as the week goes on.

Mixon (ankle) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Prior to Wednesday's practice, head coach Zac Taylor noted that Mixon's ankle injury benefited from the rest he's had over the last couple of days, but the running back's practice reps will be managed this week nonetheless, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports. While Mixon is trending toward playing Sunday against the Lions, Samaje Perine, who saw an expanded role in Week 5 with Mixon's touches limited versus Green Bay, is currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list.