NFL Player News

Cook (ankle) only took part in some individual drills during the part of Thursday's practice open to the media, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

As he works his way back from the right ankle sprain that sidelined him this past Sunday against the Seahawks, Cook appears as if he'll log a second limited session in a row to kick off Week 4 prep. The Vikings will confirm as much upon the release of Thursday's practice report.

Pollard was absent from Thursday's practice for personal reasons, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Per Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News, Pollard wasn't present for drills Thursday, but there was no concern regarding his availability for Week 4 at the time of the report. Indeed, Pollard's absence isn't injury-related, so even if he remains away from the Cowboys on Friday, he appears to be OK as the team continues to prepare for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Gibson (shin) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Gibson is making a sudden appearance on Washington's injury report after avoiding it entirely Wednesday. Previously, he tended to a shoulder issue during preparation for Weeks 2 and 3, but a shin concern is hindering Gibson this time around. Perhaps the second-year pro merely received a maintenance day Thursday, but the team will have a chance to clarify his status before Sunday's game in Atlanta. Behind Gibson, pass-catching RB J.D. McKissic is next up on the depth chart, Jaret Patterson is the only other back on the active roster, and Jonathan Williams is a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad.

Pollard (undisclosed) didn't practice Thursday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Per the report, a source close to Pollard downplayed the running back's absence, suggesting that "he's good." That notion would be confirmed in the event that Pollard practices in any capacity Friday when the Cowboys get in their final session prior to Sunday's game against the Panthers.

With James White (hip) expected to miss the rest of the season, Stevenson is a candidate to reenter the Patriots' backfield mix after being a healthy inactive for the team's past two games, Matt Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

In the immediate aftermath of White's injury, it was Brandon Bolden -- normally a core special teamer -- who handled the bulk of the team's change-of-pace duties behind lead back Damien Harris. However, in the coming weeks as the Patriots look to fill the void created by White's absence, Stevenson and/or J.J. Taylor could have an opportunity to log extra snaps as well, especially if one or both can prove capable of handling blocking assignments. In any case, Stevenson seems likely to be active for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, though he'll remain off the fantasy radar until he solidifies a steady role in New England's offense.

With James White (hip) expected to miss the rest of the season, Taylor is a candidate to see added work in the Patriots offense, Matt Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

It's worth noting that Week 3, at least, it was Brandon Bolden -- normally a core special teamer -- who handled the bulk of the team's change-of-pace duties in the immediate aftermath of White's injury. That said, we suspect Bolden's experience and ability in pass protection gave him the edge as an in-game fill-in option. In the coming weeks, though, we expect both Taylor and power back Rhamondre Stevenson to have an opportunity to log extra snaps as well, especially if one or both can prove capable of handling blocking assignments. In that context, the 5-foot-6, 185-pound Taylor could see enough touches to emerge as an option in deeper PPR formats behind top back Damien Harris.

With James White (hip) expected to miss the rest of the season, Bolden is a candidate to see added work in the Patriots offense, Matt Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

When White suffered his injury Week 3, it was Bolden who absorbed the bulk of the Patriots' change-of-pace snaps, with his experience and ability in pass-protection giving him the edge as a short-term fill-in. However, in the coming weeks we'd expect both J.J. Taylor and Rhamondre Stevenson to have an opportunity to log extra snaps as well, especially if one or both can prove capable of handling blocking assignments. With that in mind, while Bolden is worth a look in deeper PPR formats, he shouldn't be counted on to replicate White's production.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Freeman will serve as the top backup to starting running back Chuba Hubbard in Sunday's game in Dallas, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

With Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) expected to miss several weeks, Hubbard and Freeman will both temporarily bump up a spot on the depth chart. Following McCaffrey's early exit in the Panthers' Week 3 win over the Texans, Hubbard finished the night with a 39-10 edge over Freeman in terms of snaps, with the latter carrying five times for 17 yards and catching one ball for eight yards. Though Hubbard may not to take on the 90-plus-percent snap shares that a healthy McCaffrey has typically handled in competitive contests, the rookie has demonstrated the sort of three-down skill set that could make him the clear No. 1 back over Freeman rather than Option 1A in a timeshare. If that's the case, Freeman may struggle to see enough volume to have fantasy relevance even while McCaffrey is sidelined.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday that Hubbard will serve as the team's starting running back Sunday in Dallas, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Though top back Christian McCaffrey is expected to miss some time after injuring his hamstring in the Sept. 23 win over the Texans, the Panthers are apparently optimistic that he'll be sidelined for less than three games, as Rhule said McCaffrey won't be placed on injured reserve. In any case, Hubbard should be in store for an expanded opportunity for at least the next two contests, starting with Sunday's showdown in Dallas. Though Royce Freeman is on hand as an experienced backup option behind Hubbard, the rookie out of Oklahoma State has exhibited a three-down skill set over his 64 offensive snaps through Carolina's first three games. In addition to carrying 19 times for 62 yards, Hubbard has run routes on 34 of the 38 pass plays in which he's been on the field, recording eight receptions for 31 yards on eight targets. He's also won in both of his pass-blocking opportunities, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Penny (calf) is unlikely to be available for Sunday's game at San Francisco, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports. "I don't expect him to be back this week," head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday. "I don't think he'll make it."

Carroll added that Penny's left calf is close to 100 percent. Penny could probably suit up in his current state, but the team is exercising caution with the running back, likely due to his shaky medical record. On Wednesday, Penny didn't practice, but he'll have a few more chances to do so before the weekend. If Penny sits out a third game in a row Sunday, Travis Homer and Alex Collins will split the reps that don't go to starting running back Chris Carson.