NFL Player News

Mattison could have a big opportunity Sunday, as the Vikings are pessimistic about Dalvin Cook (questionable - ankle) suiting up for their game against the Seahawks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Cook is a game-day decision and could have a limited role even if he's active. Last year, Mattison had one dud (Week 6) and one huge performance (Week 17) in his two fill-in starts, and he should handle a large workload Sunday if Cook doesn't end up playing. Ameer Abdullah is the only other tailback on Minnesota's roster for Sunday's game, with the team opting not to call up preseason star A.J. Rose from the practice squad.

Cook (ankle) appears unlikely to play in Sunday's game against the Seahawks, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The report notes that the running back, who didn't practice this past week, underwent treatment on his sprained ankle Saturday in the hope of giving it a go in Week 3, but at this stage it looks like the Vikings are preparing to turn to Alexander Mattison versus Seattle. For his part, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggests that even if Cook does end up suiting up for Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff, he'd likely be very limited.

Hasty (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

This was to be expected given Hasty suffered a high-ankle sprain, which generally entails a multi-week recovery timetable. The 49ers are banged up at running back with Hasty, Jeff Wilson (knee) and Raheem Mostert (knee) all unavailable while Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) is considered highly doubtful. The carnage leaves Trey Sermon at the top of the depth chart with recent signees Jacques Patrick and Trenton Cannon as backups.

Abdullah signed a contract with the Vikings on Saturday.

This move doesn't impact Dalvin Cook's (ankle) availability for Sunday's contest given the Vikings had already used Abdullah's two practice squad call-ups prior to this week. The veteran tailback has played just 10 offensive snaps through two weeks, but that workload would go drastically up in the event Cook is unable to play.

Scott (illness) is listed as questionable for Monday's contest against the Cowboys.

Scott hasn't seen an offensive snap this season, and the fact he hasn't practiced all week likely doesn't bode well for his chances to suit up Monday. Expect the Eagles to possibly call up a running back from the practice squad in the event Scott is unable to play.

Drake is expected to lead the Raiders backfield Sunday against the Dolphins with teammate Josh Jacobs (ankle) listed as questionable, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Drake got the start and 71 percent snap share in a Week 2 win over Pittsburgh, taking seven carries for nine yards and five catches for 46 yards in Jacobs' absence. Meanwhile, Peyton Barber finished the afternoon with a team-high 13 carries for 32 yards, with eight of those coming in the fourth quarter, including five on the final drive. While Drake is the reliable choice for snaps and touches, it's possible Barber remains a thorn in his side with a role that includes clock-killing work and potentially short-yardage.

Cook (ankle) was listed as a non-participant in Friday's practice, though coach Mike Zimmer said the running back "did some" work prior to being listed as questionable on the final injury report, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Whatever Cook did wasn't enough to qualify as practicing, but he nonetheless has a chance to play Sunday against Seattle, as Zimmer noted that his star running back can suit up for the contest even if he doesn't practice all week. It's shaping up as a game-time decision ahead of the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, with Alexander Mattison likely ticketed for a large workload if Cook ends up inactive. While he played through the ankle sprain last week, Cook struggled in the second half after running all over the Cardinals in the first. Minnesota's transactions this weekend could provide a hint, as the team likely needs to call up Ameer Abdullah and/or A.J. Rose from the practice squad.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Mitchell (shoulder) likely would've been ruled out rather than listed as doubtful if the 49ers had better alternatives in the backfield for Sunday against the Packers, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

In other words, Mitchell might not play even if he avoids the inactive list ahead of Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. He should be removed from fantasy lineups in all but the most desperate of situations, while fellow rookie Trey Sermon figures to head the San Francisco backfield Sunday night. Recent signees Trenton Cannon and Jacques Patrick are the other tailbacks on the roster, while veterans Chris Thompson and Kerryon Johnson could be called up from the practice squad. Mitchell did return to practice Friday as a limited participant, potentially setting him up to play Week 4 against Seattle. For Week 3, however, he's listed as doubtful.

With Tevin Coleman ruled out with a non-COVID-19 illness, Carter and Ty Johnson are in line to head the Jets backfield Sunday against the Broncos, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

A Carter/Johnson timeshare alreadywas in play this week after both backs logged 33 snaps in the Jets' Week 2 loss to the Patriots, with Carter recording 11 carries for 59 yards along with two catches for 29 yards, and Johnson carrying 12 times for 50 yards. However, with Coleman (five carries for 24 yards) unavailable this weekend, the Jets should feature a clear one-two punch of Carter and Johnson on Sunday, with La'Mical Perine and/or Josh Adams on hand to serve in a reserve capacity.

Coach Pete Carroll said Friday that the Seahawks are hopeful Penny (calf), who is missing his second game in a row Sunday at Minnesota, is able to return next week, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Seattle next holds an official practice Wednesday, at which point Penny's activity level, or lack thereof, may be telling of his potential to play. In the meantime, though, the Seahawks will lean on Alex Collins, Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas to handle the RB reps that don't go to starter Chris Carson.