NFL Player News

Williams was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a hip injury.

The ability to practice in any capacity suggests Williams is on track to play in Sunday's game at Minnesota. Fellow running back D'Andre Swift (groin) was also a limited participant Wednesday, though in his case, that's been the norm this season.

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

Fellow running back Jamaal Williams (hip) was also limited in the Lions' first Week 5 practice. Swift has logged at least 56 percent of snaps and 12 touches in every game this season, despite being listed on the injury report each week with the groin issue. He'll head to Minnesota for a road date with the Vikings in Week 5, looking to rebound from a season-worst outing in the Week 4 loss at Chicago.

Head coach Matt Rhule said McCaffrey (hamstring) "looked real good" in his return to practice Wednesday, potentially setting him up for being a game-time decision this weekend against the Eagles, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

While it's a little early in the week to know that a player will be a game-time decision, McCaffrey at least appears to be truly questionable for Sunday's contest. He returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant after missing every session last week prior to being ruled out for Sunday's loss to Dallas. Chuba Hubbard got the start at running back and took 15 touches for 71 yards, but he ended up playing only 47 percent of snaps, as practice squad call-up Rodney Smith got the bulk of the work in obvious passing situations with Carolina attempting to make up a deficit late in the game.

McCaffrey (hamstring) rejoined practice Wednesday as a limited participant, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Head coach Matt Rhule said Monday that McCaffrey would attempt to practice Wednesday. The running back apparently was able to do so, though it isn't clear to what extent, apart from the official "limited" designation. For the time being, it's best to view McCaffrey as uncertain for Sunday's game against Philadelphia, with Chuba Hubbard next in line to start at running back. Hubbard took 15 touches for 71 yards in the Week 4 loss at Dallas, playing 47 percent of offensive snaps.

Mixon (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

The report notes that the running back spent some time off to the side riding a stationary bike Wednesday. Meanwhile, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer relays that head coach Zac Taylor believes Mixon will be worked back into the mix as the week goes on. With that in mind, Taylor indicated that he needs to see Mixon log some game-speed reps at practice in order to determine whether or not playing him Sunday versus Green Bay is an option. Samaje Perine is next up for touches in the Bengals' offense if Mixon is limited or out this weekend.

Cook (ankle) will practice on a limited basis Wednesday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Cook returned from a one-week absence to play 33 snaps (49 percent) in Sunday's 14-7 loss to Cleveland, but he managed just 44 yards on 11 touches and admitted Wednesday that his ankle still isn't 100 percent healthy, per Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. While Cook plans to continue playing and expects his ankle will improve with time, the Vikings may continue to give Alexander Mattison some extra snaps this Sunday against the Lions.

Elliott will miss Wednesday's practice due to discomfort in his knee, but he plans to return to the field Thursday and play in Sunday's game against the Giants, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Elliott certainly looked healthy in Sunday's win over Carolina, taking 20 carries for 143 yards and a touchdown. Tony Pollard also got double-digit touches, but that's been the norm recently even when Elliott has been healthy and productive. With their defense playing better and wideout Michael Gallup (calf) on injured reserve, the Cowboys have featured a balanced offense in which Elliott is averaging 16 carries per game and Pollard is taking 9.3. Pollard could end up seeing more work if Elliott has to play through pain in Week 5, though there doesn't seem to be much concern about a possible absence at this point.

Barkley (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

The Giants continue to limit Barkley's workload in practice, but not in games. While he's averaging only 13 carries for 46.5 rushing yards per game, Barkley has played 84 percent of snaps or more in three straight contests, and he has 11 receptions and three touchdowns over the past two weeks. He'll face an upstart Dallas defense in Week 5 and should be good for his usual 15-to-25 touches.

Gordon won't practice Wednesday due to a lower leg contusion, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Gordon headed into Week 4 action listed as questionable with a lower leg issue as well as a rib injury, but he still suited up for Sunday's loss to the Ravens. He logged 30 snaps in the contest, carrying nine times for 56 yards and catching two of his four targets for 11 yards. With no reported setbacks in the contest, Gordon's absence from practice Wednesday may have been more maintenance purposes more than anything.

Gibson was held out of Wednesday's practice due to a shin injury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Gibson experienced some restrictions last week, when he missed practice Thursday before turning in a limited practice Friday. He eventually was active this past Sunday in Atlanta, turning 16 touches into 75 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on a 56 percent share of the offensive snaps. Meanwhile, J.D. McKissic received a season-high 12 touches for 59 total yards and the game-winning score while handling a 40-percent snap share. There's been no indication Gibson is in danger of sitting out this weekend against the Saints, but the situation bears monitoring over the next few days.