NFL Player News

Mattison was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury.

Mattison has filled in admirably for Dalvin Cook (ankle) during recent absences in Weeks 3 and 5, racking up at least 150 yards from scrimmage on both occasions and recording a receiving touchdown in the latter contest. Now, Mattison seems to be less healthy than Cook, as he didn't do more than take part in stretching before heading indoors at the start of practice Wednesday, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. As for Cook, he officially was limited to begin Week 6 prep, so this situation bears monitoring as the week goes on to get a sense on who among the two will be available Sunday in Carolina.

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

Cook has been plagued by a sprained right ankle since picking up the injury Week 2 against the Cardinals. He's appeared in just one of the Vikings' last three games, combining for 11 touches and 44 yards from scrimmage in a Week 4 loss to the Browns. Alexander Mattison has been filling in for Cook during that stretch, but the former didn't do anything more than stretch out before going inside at the start of practice Wednesday, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. Officially, Mattison was a non-participant due to a shoulder issue, so Cook actually appears to be the healthier of the two running backs at the moment. As a result, the Vikings backfield will be one to watch closely as the week goes on.

Mixon (ankle) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Prior to Wednesday's practice, head coach Zac Taylor noted that Mixon's ankle injury benefited from the rest he's had over the last couple of days, but the running back's practice reps will be managed this week nonetheless, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports. While Mixon is trending toward playing Sunday against the Lions, Samaje Perine, who saw an expanded role in Week 5 with Mixon's touches limited versus Green Bay, is currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Edmonds (shoulder) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Edmonds logged a typical 60 percent of the offensive snaps (37 of 61) this past Sunday against the 49ers, but he easily had his worst statistical performance of the season (six carries for 15 yards, three catches for 19 yards on four targets). At the same time, fellow back James Conner drew 11 touches for 37 total yards and one touchdown on a 48 percent snap share. Now a week removed from the shoulder issue, Edmonds could take on a greater workload in the Cards' Week 6 matchup with the Browns.

Williams (hip) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Williams played through the same injury last week, taking 15 touches for 65 yards in a 19-17 loss to Minnesota. His pass-catching involvement has been a disappointment since Week 1, but Williams has seven or more carries in every game this year, including a dozen or more in three straight. He and D'Andre Swift will face an improved-but-still-beatable Cincinnati defense this Sunday.

Swift (groin) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Swift's limited participation due to a groin injury has become a recurring theme most weeks, but he's nonetheless seen eight or more carries and five or more targets while playing at least 56 percent of snaps in every game this season. He should be fine for Sunday's game against the Bengals, who rank 13th in yards per carry allowed (4.1) and 10th in rushing yards allowed (101.4 per game), though they've also yielded the second most receptions to running backs (41).

Elliott (ribs) was limited at Wednesday's practice, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

In the process of getting pushed out of bounds in Sunday's win over the Giants, Elliott landed awkwardly on a pylon camera and remained on the turf for a spell, then missed a few snaps. He was able to return and completed the game en route to a second consecutive 100-yard effort on the ground. Elliott relayed Wednesday that his back rib area has started "to loosen up" as he tries out numerous therapies, one being heat application, per Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News. It's unclear if Elliott will be able to log a full practice Thursday or Friday, but there isn't much worry from the Cowboys that his availability for this weekend's contest at New England is in peril.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday that McCaffrey (hamstring) is "probably 50-50" to play in Sunday's game against Minnesota, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Rhule made his comments following a limited practice from McCaffrey, who previously logged limited sessions Wednesday through Friday of last week. He was then listed as doubtful on the final injury report and ended up missing a second straight game. While McCaffrey hopes to avoid a third straight absence, Rhule acknowledged that his star running back is likely to be a game-time decision Sunday, per Newton.

Cook (ankle) appears to be taking part in practice Wednesday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Cook seemed to get in some work last Wednesday and Thursday, too, before the Vikings listed him as a non-participant on both occasions. With that in mind, it'll be interesting to see if he'll put himself on a path to play this week against the Panthers, after the Vikings held him out of their Week 5 win over Detroit. The Vikings will release their first Week 6 injury report later Wednesday, which will reveal whether Cook practiced in a limited fashion.

Gordon won't practice Wednesday due to an unspecified issue, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Gordon headed into last Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh listed as questionable with a lower leg bruise, but he proceeded to suit up and carried nine times for 34 yards while catching both of his targets for nine yards. Wednesday's injury report will reveal whether the running back's absence is attributed to the lower leg issue or a new injury.