NFL Player News

The Bears do not plan to offer an update about the health of Montgomery (knee) until after Wednesday's first official practice of the week, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Early reports are optimistic Montgomery has avoided a torn ACL, instead suggesting that he suffered a hyperextended left knee during Sunday's divisional win over the Lions. However, the standout running back still is undergoing medical testing. Backup Damien Williams also picked up a thigh bruise during Sunday's win, though the injury may not keep him from suiting up at Las Vegas in Week 5, while rookie Khalil Herbert suddenly is the only back on the depth chart at full health.

Williams suffered a thigh bruise during Sunday's win over the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Bears appear to believe Williams' injury is minor and won't impede his ability to suit up Week 5 against the Raiders, but with David Montgomery (knee) also dealing with an injury, the team's backfield picture suddenly is muddy. Montgomery still is undergoing medical evaluations, and early reports are optimistic he's avoided a torn ACL, but the severity of his injury isn't yet clear. Behind Williams and Montgomery stands only rookie Khalil Herbert, while Tarik Cohen (knee) will need to remain on the PUP list until at least Week 7.

Mixon is nursing a low-grade ankle sprain and is considered week-to-week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Bengals' coaching staff hasn't yet ruled Mixon out for Week 5, but at this point it looks like the workhorse running back will be forced to spend some time on the sideline. Coach Zac Taylor said after Thursday's win over the Jaguars he believed Mixon's injury to be minor, so if the team estimates he could return after only missing one or two games, a stint on IR might be avoided. Samaje Perine appears destined for a larger role while Mixon gets healthy, as does rookie fifth-round pick Chris Evans. Perine could be the primary recipient of carries, while Evans handles more passing-down reps.

Pollard carried the ball 10 times for 67 yards in Sunday's win over the Panthers.

While he didn't receive a target, Pollard still posted strong numbers behind Ezekiel Elliott and saw double-digit touches while topping 60 yards from scrimmage for the third straight week. The Cowboys' increased emphasis on the running game is turning Pollard into a fairly reliable fantasy asset even in a backup role, giving him some appeal Week 5 against a Giants defense that hasn't been able to contain the likes of Alvin Kamara, Melvin Gordon or J.D. McKissic this year.

Homer rushed once for five yards in Sunday's 28-21 win over the 49ers.

Homer's usage is reserved for passing scenarios. With the Seahawks leading for most of the game, he finished with just nine offensive snaps. Alex Collins out-snapped him with 22 and garnered 78 yards and a touchdown on 12 touches. Homer could have more of a role Thursday against the Rams if the game turns into a shootout, but Chris Carson is still the only dependable fantasy option in Seattle's backfield.

Snell recorded one carry for zero yards and failed to haul in his lone target in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Packers.

Snell played a season-high eight offensive snaps against Green Bay, but he failed to record any yardage in the loss. The 23-year-old has had a minimal role on offense behind rookie Najee Harris, who played 80 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Week 4.

The Bears believe Montgomery (knee) avoided an ACL tear Sunday, but they still need more testing to determine the extent of his injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Montgomery left in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 24-14 win over the Lions, with postgame reports suggesting he'd suffered a hyperextension of his left knee. The mere mention of an ACL issue will make fantasy managers nervous, even if it's a report that he's believed to have avoided said injury. In any case, the Bears have Damien Williams and Khalil Herbert as reserve options in their backfield for now should Montgomery miss additional time, with Tarik Cohen (knee) not eligible to come off the PUP list until Week 7. The Bears play at Las Vegas in Week 5.

Freeman rushed three times for 12 yards in Sunday's 36-28 loss to the Cowboys.

Freeman was listed as Carolina's second option at tailback with Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) sidelined, but that role still didn't offer him much usage. Overall, the veteran played just 12 offensive snaps, trailing both starter Chuba Hubbard (33 snaps) and fellow reserve Rodney Smith (26 snaps), who saw passing-down work in the second half with Carolina in catch-up mode. If McCaffrey remains sidelined for Week 5's matchup against the Eagles, Freeman would have another shot at helping to fill in, but his sparse involvement Sunday should keep expectations tempered, especially with Smith factoring in.

Johnson did not have an offensive snap and was on the field for 19 snaps on special teams during Sunday's 14-7 win over Minnesota.

This was second time in four games Johnson wasn't part of the offense, and he has a total of eight offensive snaps and two carries through four games. He'd likely be first in line for duty should anything happen to Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt. Rookie Demetric Felton has more offensive snaps than Johnson, but the latter has more time in the system and is a more traditional running back, while Felton is viewed more as a gadget player.

Felton caught two of two targets for 12 yards and returned five punts for 25 yards in Sunday's 14-7 win over the Vikings.

Felton has been limited to just 20 offensive snaps through four games, but the Browns tend to look his way when he enters a game. He's been targeted seven times in those 20 snaps. Felton out-targeted wide receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz on Sunday and has more combined targets than either wideout over the last three weeks.