NFL Player News

Allen was waived by the Commanders on Thursday.

The Commanders are parting ways with Allen after the rookie sixth-round pick rushed 12 times for 41 yards across the first four regular-season games of his NFL career. Washington will roll with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin), Rachaad White (shoulder) and the recently signed Austin Ekeler in the backfield, while the rest of the league will have 24 hours to put in a claim on Allen before he becomes a free agent.

Skattebo (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant at practice Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Skattebo has opened Week 5 prep with consecutive limited sessions. The top backfield option for the Giants will have one more opportunity Friday to upgrade to full participation as he looks to avoid carrying an injury designation into a game for the first time this season.

Croskey-Merritt (groin) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Croskey-Merritt maintained his activity level from Wednesday as he tends to a groin injury. Friday's practice report may provide clarity on his status ahead of Sunday's contest against the Giants. Through four games this season, Croskey-Merritt boasts 197 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD on 61 touches.

Dowdle (toe) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Dowdle practiced for the second day in a row, albeit with a cap on his reps. Earlier Thursday, head coach Mike McCarthy told Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com that Dowdle's status for Sunday's game against the Colts is still up in the air, though the running back would put himself in good position to play this weekend if he's able to upgrade to full practice participation Friday. If Dowdle ultimately suits up versus the Colts, he'll likely be Option 1B in the backfield behind Jaylen Warren, who has averaged 6.5 yards per carry and 13.7 yards per reception over the past two weeks while Dowdle has been sidelined with a dislocated toe on his right foot.

Swift (hip/knee) returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.

This is progress for Swift, who did not practice to begin the week Wednesday. Notably, backfield mate Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe) also did not practice either day. Swift may be slightly ahead of Monangai in terms of his progress, but Friday's injury report will be the telltale sign for the Bears' backfield outlook going into the Week 5 matchup against the Packers.

Monangai (thumb/toe) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

With back-to-back absences to begin Week 5 prep due to thumb and toe injuries, Monangai now has only one more chance to mix into drills Friday, at which point the Bears could make a ruling on his availability for Sunday's game at Green Bay. Meanwhile, backfield mate D'Andre Swift (hip/knee) upgraded to limited Thursday, seemingly putting him in a better spot to suit up this weekend.

Demercado was waived by the Cowboys on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

After being a healthy scratch in each of the Cowboys' last two games, Demercado is now off Dallas' active roster. His departure leaves the team with one fewer backfield depth option behind Javonte Williams and Tyler Goodson. Tyler Smith was activated from short-term IR in a corresponding move.

Barkley (hamstring) wasn't present during the open portion of Thursday's practice, Tim McManus of ESPN reports.

Barkley appears as if he'll go down as a non-participant for a second session in a row to kick off Week 5 prep, something that'll be confirmed once the Eagles post Thursday's injury report. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Barkley currently is viewed as week-to-week due to the hamstring issue that knocked him out of this past Sunday's game against the Rams after just four offensive snaps, so the running back's continued likely lack of activity isn't unexpected.

Hall (quadriceps) wasn't present for warmups at the start of Thursday's practice, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Hall's continued absence isn't surprising after head coach Aaron Glenn recently described the running back as week-to-week. If Hall sits as expected Sunday against the Browns, Braelon Allen would be poised to take on another heavy workload after accounting for all 16 touches by Jets running backs in the Week 4 loss to Chicago.

Head coach mike McCarthy said Thursday that it remains up in the air whether Dowdle (toe) will be available Sunday against the Colts, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.

Dowdle was listed as limited at Wednesday's practice after missing the past two games due to a dislocated toe. Jaylen Warren has functioned as Pittsburgh's lead back in Dowdle's absence, but McCarthy has said the team intends to return to a backfield platoon once Dowdle is healthy enough to resume playing. Dowdle's status for Sunday's game has yet to be decided, so how he fares in practice Thursday and Friday will be key to assessing his availability.