NFL Player News

Mattison will be the Vikings' lead running back Sunday versus the Lions with Dalvin Cook (ankle) inactive, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

This will mark Mattison's second spot start of the campaign in place of Cook. In Week 3, Mattison was a workhorse against the Seahawks, turning 26 carries into 112 yards and six catches (on eight targets) into 59 yards. He has a good matchup on tap in which to produce this time around, too, as Detroit's defense has given up 134.8 yards from scrimmage per game and nine total TDs to running backs in four contests this season.

Gordon (lower leg) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

With Gordon active, as expected, he'll continue to split work with rookie Javonte Williams, an arrangement that has yielded 51 carries and 11 passing targets for Gordon and 46 carries and nine targets for Williams through Denver's first four contests. While a timeshare is never optimal for fantasy purposes, Gordon has maintained a degree of lineup utility by averaging 62.0 rushing yards per game with two TDs as well as an average of 21.8 yards via the air thus far.

Gibson (shin) is active for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Gibson didn't practice fully at any point this week while tending to a stress fracture in his shin, but the injury ultimately won't keep him off the field Sunday. Gibson has been able to play through the issue so far this season, and Washington hasn't provided any indication that the running back's Week 5 workload will be affected as a result. Gibson has logged between 56 and 67 percent of offensive snaps in each of Washington's first four games, averaging 14.7 carries and 2.8 targets per contest.

McCaffrey (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Though he practiced in a limited capacity all week, McCaffrey took a doubtful designation into Sunday and will ultimately miss a second straight game. Even so, McCaffrey's ability to practice in any capacity this week -- as well as the Panthers' decision not to place him on injured reserve -- hints that the star tailback may be ready to go for the Week 6 game versus Minnesota. While McCaffrey is idle against the Eagles, however, rookie Chuba Hubbard is expected to serve as Carolina's lead back, with Rodney Smith likely serving as the top option on obvious passing downs.

Williams (hip) is listed as active Sunday in Minnesota.

Williams has appeared on the Lions' injury report as less than full this season on two occasions, most recently this week with a hip injury. While he was limited in practice Wednesday through Friday, he'll be out there along with No. 1 running back D'Andre Swift (groin). On the campaign, Williams has been regularly used to the tune of 55 touches for 280 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, while Swift has compiled a 64-338-2 overall stat line.

Swift (groin) is listed as active Sunday at Minnesota.

Swift's preseason groin issue continues to linger, resulting in questionable tags for each of the last four contests. Despite the limitations in practice, however, he's averaged 15 touches for 78 yards from scrimmage while scoring one touchdown during that stretch. Fellow running back Jamaal Williams (hip) also tended to an injury this week, and while he's been cleared to play, he's taken a back seat to Swift in both snap count and reps during the recent three-game span (12.7 touches for 56.7 total yards per outing, one TD).

Cook (ankle) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Lions.

Cook has been dealing with a right ankle sprain since Week 2, which resulted in an absence Week 3 and capped him to just 11 touches for 44 total yards last Sunday against the Browns. The Vikings considered the fifth-year back a game-time decision for Sunday's contest after he managed just one limited appearance in practice this week, but he hasn't made enough progress to be available to the offense again. With Cook in street clothes, Minnesota will turn to Alexander Mattison as its featured runner.

Mixon (ankle) is active Week 5 against Green Bay, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Despite not seeing the practice field for a single session all week, Mixon apparently got in some light workouts Saturday that led to earlier reports suggesting he would be able to suit up. That notion has since been confirmed with the release of the inactive list, though it's fair to wonder how close to a regular workload Mixon might see. He's been on the field for 72 percent of snaps or greater in each of the season's first four weeks, but should that mark be unattainable Sunday, look for Samaje Perine and Chris Evans -- in that order -- to provide relief.

Patterson (head) passed all concussion tests after exiting Sunday's game against the Jets and is available to return to the contest, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.

In the first quarter, Patterson briefly headed to the Falcons' blue medical tent on the sideline to receive evaluation for the head injury, but he apparently exhibited no signs of a concussion. The 30-year-old looks like he'll be ready to continue filling his versatile role in the Atlanta offense for the rest of the day.

Patterson exited Sunday's game against the Jets and is uncertain to return while he receives an evaluation for a concussion, Melissa Stark of NFL Network reports.

The Falcons sent Patterson to a blue tent on the sideline for an evaluation of the head injury after he left Sunday's contest in the first quarter. Before checking out of the contest, Patterson carried twice for 18 yards. If Patterson is done for the day, Mike Davis would likely have a clear path to a three-down role out of the Atlanta backfield.