NFL Player News

Cook (ankle) is listed as active Sunday against the Browns.

Sidelined Week 3 due to a right ankle sprain, Cook put himself into a position to return Sunday after logging three consecutive limited practices. As of Friday, coach Mike Zimmer told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that Cook "looked pretty good today," and prior to Sunday's kickoff the running back relayed to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, "Expect me to be me." Now that he's officially confirmed as available to the Vikings offense, Cook is slated for his typical role, which so far has resulted in 25 touches for 126 yards from scrimmage per game to go with one touchdown in two contests this season.

Taylor (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Taylor, who was dealing what Ian Rapoport of NFL Network describes as a little fluid build-up in his knee, will give it a go Sunday, as expected. Assuming no in-game setbacks, he's in line to continue to lead Indy's rushing attack versus Miami, with change-of-pace back Nyheim Hines on hand to spell Taylor should the Colts elect to manage his reps at all. Meanwhile, Marlon Mack and Jordan Wilkins are also in the team's Week 4 backfield mix.

Swift (groin) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears.

As expected, Swift is good to go for the Week 4 matchup after the groin injury limited his participation in practices Wednesday through Friday. The Lions haven't suggested that Swift will face any restrictions as a result of the issue, but the second-year player has already been operating as the lead option in a timeshare at running back with Jamaal Williams. Swift has played 62.5 percent of Detroit's offense snaps and has drawn a carry or target on 42.4 percent of those plays, while Williams has logged a 40.5 percent snap share while garnering a touch on 49.4 percent of those plays.

Mattison is expected to serve as the Vikings' No. 2 option out of the backfield Sunday against the Browns with Dalvin Cook (ankle) considered likely to play after missing Minnesota's Week 3 win over the Seahawks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Cook was a limited participant in practice throughout the week and remains listed as questionable for the contest, but he's expected to avoid the inactive list, which the Vikings will release 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Assuming that's the case, Cook should take back starting duties for the Vikings, though he could handle a lighter workload than normal if Minnesota is keen on easing him back in from the ankle injury. With that in mind, Mattison doesn't look like a bankable fantasy option if Cook is active, even though the Boise State product is coming off an impressive Week 3 outing in which he finished with 112 yards on 26 carries and 59 yards on six receptions.

Sermon is expected to remain the 49ers' top option out the backfield for Sunday's game against the Seahawks with Elijah Mitchell (questionable, shoulder) not expected to play Week 4, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

In the absence of Mitchell in the 49ers' Week 3 loss to the Packers, Sermon drew the start and played 60 percent of offensive snaps, but he wasn't especially effective during his time on the field (10 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown, two receptions for three yards on three targets). Sermon wasn't helped by the 49ers trailing for most of the night, which forced the team to adopt a more pass-heavy game script than head coach Kyle Shanahan might have preferred. Assuming the 49ers aren't forced to play from behind Week 4, Sermon could be in store for a higher-volume role, but Kyle Juszczyk, Jacques Patrick and Trenton Cannon linger as candidates for backfield work if the rookie third-round pick can't get much going on the ground or as a pass catcher.

Swift (groin), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears, is expected to play, Josina Anderson of USA Today reports.

Swift took a designation into the weekend after his groin injury limited his activity in practices Wednesday through Friday. The Lions were apparently encouraged enough by how Swift looked Friday to prepare as though he'll suit up Week 4, but his status won't officially be confirmed until Detroit releases its inactive list approximately 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Though he's seen his snap share drop in each successive week and hasn't topped 70 percent of the offensive plays in any of the Lions' three games, Swift has been one of the NFL's most productive pass-catching backs thus far with 19 receptions for 166 yards and a score on 23 targets.

Taylor (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per Rapoport, the running back, who was limited at practice this past week, was dealing with a little fluid buildup in his knee. Fortunately, the issue doesn't look like it will stop Taylor from playing in Sunday's contest. Official confirmation of Taylor's status is slated to arrive prior to the first wave of Week 4 kickoffs, with the Colts taking on Miami at 1 p.m. ET.

Cook (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, is expected to play barring any pregame setbacks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Cook, who sat out last weekend's win over the Seahawks, practiced in a limited fashion this past week and now appears on track to give it a go Sunday, though if the Vikings elect to ease him back in, Alexander Mattison could also maintain a backfield role. Fortunately for those considering deploying Cook in fantasy lineups, the Cleveland-Minnesota game is part of the early slate of Sunday games (1 p.m. ET).

Mitchell (shoulder), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, isn't expected to play in the contest, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Official confirmation of the running back's Week 4 status will arrive once inactives are posted in advance of Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. If Mitchell is indeed unavailable, Trey Sermon would once again be in line for an expanded role in the 49ers' backfield.

Gordon (ribs/lower leg) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Ravens but is expected to play, barring any pregame setbacks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Gordon logged three limited practices leading up to the contest, which is seemingly a good sign for his availability. Though final confirmation on his status will come when Denver releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, Gordon should be in line to continue to see what has been a fairly even split of work with Javonte Williams out of the Denver backfield. Through three games this season, Gordon has earned no fewer than 14 touches in a single contest.