NFL Player News

Barkley (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

The Giants appear to be increasingly comfortable with the health of Barkley's surgically-repaired right knee; he hadn't been a full participant in any of the team's three other Thursday practices since the season started (New York played a Thursday night game Week 2). The team's confidence in Barkley has been evident in his increasing workload, as he's gone from playing 47 percent of the offensive snaps Week 1 to a season-high 88 percent in the Week 4 win in New Orleans. Now that Barkley is back to handling a normal snap load, fantasy managers don't have to think too hard about whether to include him in weekly lineups.

Elliott (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

After getting the day off Wednesday due to tightness in his knee, Elliott was back on the field Thursday, getting in some resistance work before moving on to individual drills, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. Considering his "limited" listing on the practice report, the individual work was likely the extent of Elliott's activity Thursday, but he'll have one more session this week to potentially bump up to full participation. In any case, he appears to be trending in the right direction to play Sunday against the Giants.

Swift (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Swift's lingering groin injury has prompted the Lions to restrict his practice reps for much of the season, but head coach Dan Campbell hasn't expressed any concern about the second-year back's availability for Sunday's game against the Vikings. Swift will still likely need to upgrade to full participation in Friday's practice to avoid taking a questionable designation into the weekend, however.

Williams (hip) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

Both Williams and D'Andre Swift (groin) have been limited in the Lions' first two practices of Week 5, but the coaching staff hasn't suggested that either running back is in danger of missing Sunday's game in Minnesota. Assuming both backs are active this weekend, Williams should fill a complementary role on the ground behind Swift, but the former's opportunities on passing downs have tailed off of late. Since drawing nine targets in Detroit's season-opening loss to the 49ers, Williams has tallied five receptions for 37 yards on five targets in the team's subsequent three contests.

McCaffrey (hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday and said afterward that he feels great and "definitely" has a chance to play Sunday against the Eagles, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

For the second straight day, McCaffrey turned in a limited showing in practice, with Schuyler Callihan of SI.com noting that the running back ditched his red no-contact jersey in the portion of Thursday's session that was open to the media. Though initial reports suggested McCaffrey would miss at least two weeks due to his hamstring injury, he's making a strong push to re-enter the lineup Sunday after sitting out just one game. Unless McCaffrey upgrades to full participation Friday, he's still a good bet to carry a questionable designation into the weekend, which could result in him being a game-time call ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Chuba Hubbard started in McCaffrey's place Week 4 and would be in store for another enhanced role Week 5 if the Panthers decide to play it safe with their top back and hold him out for another contest.

Cook (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.

During the portion of the session open to the media, Cook had his right ankle taped while taking part in individual drills, per Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Cook did appear to get into those same drills Wednesday before the Vikings marked him down as a non-participant, so it'll be interesting to see if he can avoid the same fate Thursday.

Gordon, who is dealing with a lower leg contusion, will return to a limited practice Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Friday's final injury report of the week will determine whether or not Gordon approaches Sunday's game against the Steelers with a Week 5 injury designation, but it would surprise us if he's unavailable for the contest. Assuming he's a go this weekend, Gordon is in line to continue to work in a timeshare with fellow RB Javonte Williams.

Gibson (shin) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Gibson is following his practice regimen from a week ago, only a day earlier each time, by following up Wednesday's DNP with limited work Thursday. He seems to be trending in the right direction for Sunday's game against the Saints, while backfield mate J.D. McKissic (ankle) bumped up from limited to full in the first two sessions of Week 5 prep. Friday's injury report will be telling for Gibson's availability and potential to play.

Elliott (knee) did resistance training before taking part in individual drills at Thursday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Elliott is tending to some tightness in his knee this week, which caused him to sit out Wednesday. The Cowboys will reveal Elliott's activity level later Thursday, but the fact that he's back on the field in some capacity bodes well for his chances of being available Sunday against the Giants.

Phillips (illness) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.

Phillips was inactive in Week 4's loss to the Bills as he was dealing with a non-COVID illness. The running back still sits behind four veteran backs on Houston's roster. Expect Phillips to continue to fill a depth role for the Texans' running back room.