NFL Player News

Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that Penny (knee) is close to returning but won't be rushed back into the lineup, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

Penny tore his ACL last year Week 14 and wasn't 100 percent to begin the 2020 season, so he was placed on the PUP list to ensure a full recovery. Carroll has consistently praised Penny's progress, and the 2018 first-rounder will be eligible to return to the lineup in Week 7's matchup against the 49ers. However, Carroll rightly sees no reason to rush him back because Chris Carson is healthy and handling lead back duties admirably. These plans are subject to change if Carson gets hurt, but Penny's long-term health is a top priority.

Coach Kyle Shanahan hopes to get Mostert (knee) back at practice Wednesday, Keiana Martin of the 49ers' official site reports.

Mostert hasn't practiced since spraining his MCL in Week 2, missing two games in the process. Meanwhile, Tevin Coleman (knee) has been on injured reserve during that same stretch. In their place, Jerick McKinnon has totaled 38 touches for 174 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, Jeff Wilson has put up a 19-88-2 line, and JaMycal Hasty has managed 3-18-0. It's unclear what kind of workload Mostert can expect when he eventually returns, but a timeshare with McKinnon seems likely.

Scott rushed twice for one yard in Sunday's 25-20 win over San Francisco.

Scott didn't record any official catches in the game, but he did pick up 17 on a short pass that was negated by penalty. Unfortunately, the Louisiana Tech product continues to see his playing time trend downward, as he saw a mere nine offensive snaps in the contest, a season low.

Clement rushed twice for three yards in Sunday's 25-20 win over San Francisco.

Clement saw just four snaps in the win. The good news for the Wisconsin product is that at least he has a good shot to get the ball when in the game. The downside is that he has been on the field for a grand total of 13 offensive plays over the last three games.

Wilkins had nine carries for 15 yards and one reception for 16 yards on his only target in Sunday's win over Chicago.

Wilkins played on 12 of the offense's 72 snaps while Nyheim Hines played on 25 snaps (and had nine carries and three receptions). Wilkins continues to get steady work behind starter Jonathan Taylor when the offense is focused on running the ball, as the Colts were most of Sunday's 19-11 win, with Hines used more in the passing game. Taylor remains the primary running back, but the workload (Taylor had 17 carries and played 33 snaps) was more balanced than usual Sunday.

Harris (finger) has been activated from IR for Monday night's game against the Chiefs, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The move corresponds with Sony Michel (quad) going on IR, which sets that stage for Harris to enter the team's early down mix Week 4, joining fellow backs James White, Rex Burkhead and J.J. Taylor in a backfield that's crowded, even without Michel. Prior to injuring his finger, Harris had a strong training camp, and the 2019 third-rounder now will have a chance to be a key cog in the Patriots' rushing offense after seeing minimal usage as a rookie.

The Browns officially placed Chubb (knee) on injured reserve Monday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Chubb was forced out of Sunday's win over the Cowboys due to a right MCL sprain, the severity of which is now expected to sideline him for roughly six weeks. It's a good sign, at least, that the star running back will avoid surgery and is expected to return this season. In the meantime, Kareem Hunt will take over as Cleveland's clear top running back. D'Ernest Johnson, who impressed in relief of Chubb in Week 4 and turned 13 carries into 95 yards, could also have a shot at seeing enough work to attain fantasy relevance in Cleveland's high-powered ground game.

Ekeler is expected to be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks due to a hamstring injury and a hyperextended knee, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Ekeler's hamstring issue is a Grade 2 strain. The every-down back will seek a second medical opinion, but at this time it looks like he'll be placed on IR and remain sidelined until at least November. In the meantime, Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson will handle the bulk of Los Angeles' carries.

Drake (chest) worked out without limitations Monday, indicating that he's cleared after an injury scare during Sunday's loss to the Panthers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Cardinals believe Drake merely got the wind knocked out of him, so it appears he was held out as a precaution with the injury occurring in the fourth quarter. Drake is expected to be ready to play in Week 5's clash against the Jets. His performance through four weeks is a larger concern, as he's averaged 3.8 yards per carry and been targeted just five times.

Homer rushed four times for five yards and caught his lone target for a three-yard touchdown in Sunday's 31-23 win over the Dolphins.

Homer was in line for a heightened workload if Chris Carson (knee) sat out, but not only did Carson play, he showed no remnants of an injury. As a result, Homer played just 17 of 63 offensive snaps (27 percent), and rookie DeeJay Dallas nearly tied him in touches with two carries and two receptions for 23 total yards. Homer did come through with a score, but Dallas was arguably more effective during Sunday's contest. It's a small sample for the two backs, however, and both will likely be pushed to reserve roles if Carlos Hyde (shoulder) plays Week 5 against the Vikings.