NFL Player News

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.

Harris (finger) doesn't carry a Week 3 injury designation after practicing fully Friday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Harris was listed as limited Wednesday and Thursday, but his return to a full practice session Friday paves the way for him to continue to head the Patriots' rushing attack Sunday against the Saints. Through two games, the 2019 third-rounder has logged 39 carries for 162 yards and a TD, while adding three catches for 19 yards. He'll take aim Sunday at the New Orleans defense that has allowed just 132 rushing yards and 2.8 yards per carry through two games to date.

Hubbard has jumped up the Panthers' depth chart following word that McCaffrey is expected to miss multiple games due to a hamstring strain, Adam Maya of NFL.com reports.

McCaffrey was forced from Thursday's eventual win at Houston early in the second quarter, and Hubbard took on most of the backfield work thereafter. By the end of the game, Hubbard logged 40 of 73 offensive snaps (55 percent), while reserve Royce Freeman got on the field for 11 (15 percent). Hubbard was the clear beneficiary in terms of production, as he recorded 11 rushes for 52 yards (4.7 YPC) and caught three of five targets for 27 yards. Meanwhile, Freeman managed 25 total yards on six touches. As long as McCaffrey is sidelined, Hubbard should be Carolina's primary back, with Freeman mixing in on occasion. Meanwhile, Rodney Smith and Spencer Brown are the running backs on the practice squad, and the Panthers already have worked out veteran RB Duke Johnson.

Sermon is out of the concussion protocol and likely will serve as the 49ers' starting running back Sunday night against the Packers, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

The Friday injury report lists Elijah Mitchell (calf) as doubtful and JaMycal Hasty (knee) as out, while Sermon avoids a game designation altogether. The rookie thus appears ticketed for the lead backfield role in an offense with excellent coaching and blocking, considering the other healthy RBs on the roster are Trenton Cannon (primarily a special teams player) and Jacques Patrick (a 2020 UDFA who was signed Tuesday), while veterans Kerryon Johnson and Chris Thompson are the options from the practice squad. Of course, Sermon hasn't done much to inspire confidence, first slipping down the depth chart this summer and then suffering an injury on his first NFL carry. No matter, the third-round pick has a nice opportunity, with a big night potentially leading to continued involvement even if/when the Niners backfield gets a little healthier.

Mitchell (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Packers, while teammate Trey Sermon (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Sermon thus becomes the latest favorite to lead San Francisco's injury-riddled backfield, though the team isn't quite ready to make Mitchell's Week 3 absence official. GM John Lynch did sound pessimistic Friday morning when discussing the sixth-round rookie, though his return to practice Friday as a limited participant at least could be taken as a positive sign for Mitchell's chances to return in Week 4 or 5. With the Niners playing on Sunday night this week, Mitchell's fantasy managers won't want to count on the slim chance of a 'doubtful' player actually suiting up. Matt Barrows of The Athletic expects Sermon to get the start Sunday night.

Penny (calf) will not play Sunday against the Vikings, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

With Penny ruled out for a second straight game, the Seahawks have Alex Collins, Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas behind lead back Chris Carson. Prior to aggravating his calf injury in the season opener, Penny appeared to have the second spot on the depth chart.

Swift (groin) is questionable for Sunday's contest against the Ravens.

Prior to the Lions' Week 2 loss at Green Bay, Swift followed an LP/LP/FP practice plan and was listed as questionable before suiting up and playing 63 percent of the offensive snaps. By game's end, he turned 12 touches into 78 yards from scrimmage, while No. 2 RB Jamaal Williams earned 39 percent of those plays and had 10 touches for 37 total yards. Swift was on a similar maintenance plan this week, logging limited sessions Wednesday through Friday. Assuming he's out there again Sunday, Swift should outpace Williams in terms of both snaps and touches.

Jacobs (ankle) is considered doubtful for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

With Jacobs trending toward his second straight missed game, Kenyan Drake and Peyton Barber once again are in line to share the Raiders' backfield duties this weekend. It's an arrangement that yielded Drake seven carries for nine yards and five catches for 46 yards (on 47 snaps) and Barber 13 carries for 32 yards (on 19 snaps) in the Raiders' Week 2 win over the Steelers.

Sanders (chest) was a full practice participant Friday.

Sanders was limited for just one day before returning to full participation. He should be ready for his usual role Monday night against the Cowboys, averaging 14.0 carries, 3.5 targets and 86.0 total yards per game on 66.7 percent snap share through two weeks. Meanwhile, rookie backup Kenneth Gainwell is averaging 7.5 carries and 3.0 targets on 34.1 percent of snaps.

Sermon (concussion) shed his non-contact jersey for Friday's practice, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

It's just a walkthrough, but this supports GM John Lynch's statement Friday morning when he said Sermon was trending in the right direction for Sunday's game against the Packers. Lynch was less optimistic about Elijah Mitchell, who returned to practice Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday with a shoulder injury. It's possible both backs end up listed as questionable this weekend.