NFL Player News

Sermon (concussion) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Sermon came out of Week 2 with a concussion, but head coach Kyle Shanahan noted Wednesday that the rookie third-round pick was "trending in a good direction" as he practiced in a blue non-contact jersey, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. The 49ers already have one running back out for the season [Raheem Mostert (knee)] and another dealing with a high-ankle sprain (JaMycal Hasty). Meanwhile, fellow rookie sixth-rounder Elijah Mitchell is tending to a shoulder injury that Shanahan described as "worse than a stinger," according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. Sermon will need to pass all five phases of the protocol for head injuries to suit up Sunday night against the Packers, but with so many unknowns in San Francisco's backfield it's unclear how the snaps and carries will break down at the position. Trenton Cannon and Jacques Patrick are the only other backs on the 49ers' active roster, while Kerryon Johnson and Chris Thompson are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.

Cook (ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Prior to the session, head coach Mike Zimmer told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that Cook would get in some reps Wednesday, but it didn't translate to any individual or team work. Cook was visibly banged up in the second half of the Vikings' Week 2 loss at Arizona, and Zimmer noted afterward that the running back was dealing with a sprained ankle. The Injury is keeping Cook out of drills so far this week, but he has two more opportunities to get back on the field and prove his health ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Seahawks. If Cook were to miss any time or be limited, Alexander Mattison is the next man on the depth chart, with Ameer Abdullah and A.J. Rose candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.

Harris (finger) was limited at Wednesday's practice.

This marks Harris' first appearance of the season on the Patriots' injury report, and it's unclear if the running back's finger issue is a product of Week 2 action or something that cropped up at practice Wednesday. At this stage there's nothing to suggest that Harris' status for Sunday's game against the Saints is in danger, but we'll nonetheless monitor the status of New England's top back in the coming days.

Swift (groin) was limited at Wednesday's walk-through practice.

Less than two days removed from Monday's loss at Green Bay, the Lions merely estimated activity levels for their banged-up and injured players. Swift remains listed with the groin issue that's plagued him since early August, but the injury hasn't stopped him from logging better than a 60-percent share of the offensive snaps in both of the team's first two games of the season. The result has been 31 touches for 182 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown for Swift, while fellow back Jamaal Williams has produced a 27-147-1 line. Swift will look to ditch his injury designation by week's end, but the potential exists for it to follow him into the weekend, as it did both Weeks 1 and 2. The Lions host the Ravens on Sunday.

Barkley (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Barkley is on the injury report for a third straight week, despite playing 84 percent of the Giants' offensive snaps in last Thursday's loss to Washington. He seems to have recaptured a three-down role, and he'll get a better matchup this weekend against the 0-2 Falcons, assuming everything checks out with his surgically-repaired right knee. The Giants listed him as questionable for their first two games, even when it was clear he would be playing.

Sermon (concussion) is in line to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Sermon was dinged on the helmet during his first potential carry as a pro this past Sunday -- the play was nullified by an Eagles penalty -- suffering a concussion in the process. Head coach Kyle Shanahan relayed to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com on Wednesday that Sermon is "trending in a good direction," but the rookie third-round selection will don a blue non-contact jersey to begin Week 3 prep. Meanwhile, Raheem Mostert is out for the season following knee surgery, Elijah Mitchell's Week 2 shoulder injury is considered worse than a stinger, and JaMycal Hasty is expected to miss multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain. Beyond that quartet, Trenton Cannon and Jacques Patrick are the only other backs on the 49ers' active roster, while Kerryon Johnson and Chris Thompson are on the practice squad.

Mitchell (shoulder) won't take part in practice Wednesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Mitchell was forced out of the 49ers' Week 2 win at Philadelphia with a shoulder concern, but he returned when fellow rookie running back Trey Sermon suffered a concussion. In the interim, tests have revealed that Mitchell's injury is "a little worse than a stinger," but he "has a chance to go Sunday" against the Packers, head coach Kyle Shanahan told David Lombardi of The Athletic. As the 49ers backfield currently stands, Raheem Mostert (knee) is on injured reserve, JaMycal Hasty has a high-ankle sprain that's slated to sideline him for multiple games, and Sermon is progressing through the concussion protocol, seemingly making him the healthiest of the four. Trenton Cannon and Jacques Patrick are the only other backs on the active roster, while Kerryon Johnson and Chris Thompson are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Penny (calf) isn't expected to play Sunday at Minnesota, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Carroll included a caveat during Wednesday's media session, stating an "unexpected turn" in Penny's health could allow him to suit up this weekend. It'll be interesting to see if Penny gets on the practice field to kick off Week 3 prep, with the Seahawks' first injury report set to be released later Wednesday.

Jacobs (toe/ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Per Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, head coach Jon Gruden previously referred to Jacobs as "very questionable" for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. The running back's absence from practice Wednesday would seem to reinforce his cloudy Week 3 status. If Jacobs is sidelined for a second straight game this weekend, Kenyan Drake and Peyton Barber will continue to share the Raiders' backfield duties.

Nwangwu (knee) was seen working on a side field during Wednesday's practice, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.

Nwangwu hyperextended his left knee during a preseason matchup with the Browns on Aug. 14 and was placed on IR before the initial 53-man roster deadline. The rookie fourth-round pick is eligible to come off IR as soon as Week 4, but the Vikings aren't going to rush anything because he will need to be conditioned. When healthy, Nwangwu will likely compete with Ameer Abdullah for the No. 3 running back job.