NFL Player News

Giants head coach Joe Judge said Monday that X-rays on Barkley's sprained left ankle came back "with better news than it could've been," Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports. Though Judge was unwilling to offer a timeline for Barkley's return, the running back appears likely to miss 2-to-3 weeks.

Judge's unwillingness to go into detail about the extent of Barkley's injury means he can't yet officially be ruled out for the Giants' Week 6 game against the Rams, but fantasy managers should already begin preparing to look at other options at running back this week, and likely next week, too. Devontae Booker served as the primary replacement when Barkley exited early in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys, finishing with 42 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries to go with three receptions for 16 yards and another score.

Perine's placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier Monday was the result of a positive test, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Since Perine was deactivated as a result of a positive test rather than through contact-tracing reasons, he may not clear the NFL's COVID-19 protocol ahead of the Bengals' next game Sunday in Detroit. The development is a less-than-ideal one for the Bengals, given that top back Joe Mixon was able to handle only a limited role in the Week 5 loss to the Packers while managing an ankle injury. While Mixon's workload was restricted, Perine picked up a season-high 11 carries and gained 59 yards. He also drew five targets, hauling in four of them for 24 yards and a score. With Perine sidelined and Mixon banged up, rookie Chris Evans is the only healthy back on the roster, so expect Cincinnati to add another body at the position ahead of the matchup with the Lions.

Williams is expected to be active for Monday's game against the Colts as the Ravens' third running back after Baltimore elected not to elevate Le'Veon Bell from the practice squad, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

While the possibility exists that the Ravens may keep only two backs (Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman) active for Week 5, the team's decision not to bring Bell aboard for another game suggests that Williams may have temporarily exited head coach John Harbaugh's doghouse. Though Williams averaged a healthy 6.1 yards per carry through the Ravens' first three games, his ball-security concerns and struggles as a pass blocker likely contributed to him being a healthy scratch Week 4 in Denver. With that in mind, Williams may not be in line to handle an extensive role behind Murray and Freeman even if he dresses Monday.

Sermon was only on the field for two offensive snaps (three percent) Sunday, finishing with one carry for seven yards in a 17-10 loss to Arizona.

Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) returned from injury and reclaimed his starting role (44 snaps). The playing time distribution between the rookie backs was a bit surprising considering that Sermon had been performing well in Mitchell's stead, and also given head coach Kyle Shanahan's propensity to utilize two backs in his system. It is clear that the coaching staff believes that Mitchell has more to offer despite where the club selected the backs in this year's draft. It is probably safe to explore other options when it comes to Sermon, especially with the 49ers' bye week on tap.

Harris (ribs) checked out fine after exiting Sunday's win over the Texans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Harris dealt with chest and rib injuries in Sunday's contest, but he's considered day-to-day as the Patriots prepare to face the Cowboys on Sunday. If the 24-year-old is unable to play against Dallas, Brandon Bolden and Rhamondre Stevenson should handle the Patriots' backfield duties Week 6.

Williams is likely in line for a starting role after Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a sprained MCL in Sunday's loss to the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Williams entered Sunday's game after Edwards-Helaire went down, and he recorded five carries for 27 yards while hauling in three of five targets for 18 yards. While Edwards-Helaire's injury isn't as serious as the team initially feared, he's still slated to miss time. As a result, Williams should be the lead back with Jerick McKinnon also on hand as the Chiefs prepare for a favorable matchup against Washington in Week 6.

Edwards-Helaire suffered a sprained MCL in Sunday's loss to the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Edwards-Helaire was carried off the field after he suffered his injury Monday but was able to walk gingerly to the locker room under his own power. The 22-year-old is expected to miss a few weeks due to his injury, while Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon should handle increased work in his absence.

Perine was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

Perine racked up 73 yards from scrimmage and reached the end zone in Sunday's overtime loss to the Packers, but he'll have to spend some time away from the team after being placed on the COVID-19 list. It's not yet clear whether he's tested positive for the virus or whether he's considered a close contact, and the Bengals haven't revealed when the 26-year-old will be able to return.

Singletary had just six carries for 25 yards and caught one of two targets for minus-2 yards during Sunday night's win over the Chiefs.

Singletary started the year hot but is starting to take a backseat to Zack Moss, who's heating up and out-snapped Singletary, 42-15, on Sunday. With so many weapons in the Buffalo offense and Singletary at best sharing work with Moss in a pass-heavy offense, he's tough to put in a starting lineup until something changes.

Bolden was on the field for 24 of a possible 64 snaps on offense in Sunday's 25-22 win over the Texans, en route to carrying twice for 25 yards and catching all four of his targets for six yards, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

When lead back Damien Harris was forced out of the contest with chest and rib issues, it was rookie Rhamondre Stevenson (22 snaps, 11 carries for 23 yards), who handled the bulk of the team's early-down work. Aside from a 24-yard run, Bolden didn't do much with his Week 5 touches, but it does appear as though he's settled into a steady change-of-pace role with James White (hip) on IR. That context puts him on the fantasy radar in deeper PPR formats.