NFL Player News

Akers (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic notes that Akers did some work on a side field with the training staff during Friday's practice, so he at least seems to be making a degree of progress. A return to practice with his teammates would be the next step, perhaps setting him up to play Week 5 against Washington. The Rams figure to use Darrell Henderson as their lead runner against the Giants on Sunday, with Malcolm Brown also in line to get some playing time. The backfield could get messy again once Akers is able to return from his rib cartilage injury.

Jones won't have to contend with Leonard Fournette (ankle) for reps during Sunday's game against the Chargers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Through three games, Fournette combined for 31 touches, including seven catches, which instead will filter down to Jones and LeSean McCoy. Jones himself has been afforded 43 touches, while McCoy has nine to his name. Overall, Jones is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry and has hauled in six of nine passes, but the added volume could help him approach 100 total yards for the first time this season.

Mostert (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

With Mostert out another week and Tevin Coleman (knee) on injured reserve, Jerick McKinnon is set to lead the San Francisco backfield again. Jeff Wilson and JaMycal Hasty will provide depth, while Mostert will hope to make it back for Week 5 against the Dolphins.

Sanders (glute) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't have any injury status for Sunday's game in San Francisco, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Sanders and coach Doug Pederson both made confident statements earlier Friday, and running backs coach Duce Staley reiterated his belief that the second-year pro can continue to handle large workloads as the clear lead back in the Philadelphia offense, per Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal. Only time will tell if that's true or not, but it does appear Sanders is headed for another heavy-usage game Sunday night. He played 77 and 78 percent of offensive snaps the past two weeks, averaging 19 carries, 7.5 targets and 114 total yards.

Moss (toe), who was a limited practice participant Friday, is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Las Vegas.

Moss didn't practice at all before being ruled out for Week 3, the result of a toe injury. This week, he was able to maintain limited showings Wednesday through Friday, putting himself in a position to return to action. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, the Bills don't kick off until 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, leaving them few replacement options if in fact the team rules him out. Another absence from Moss likely will result in significant work for Devin Singletary for a second consecutive game.

Perine rushed five times for 15 yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game in Thursday's 37-28 loss to Denver.

Perine mixed in behind Frank Gore (13 carries for 30 yards) on early downs while Kalen Ballage served in a pass-catching role. With Gore averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and Ballage committing a couple of critical gaffes, there's opportunity for Perine to earn a larger workload while Le'Veon Bell heals from a hamstring injury. Whether the rookie fourth-rounder is given a a chance to seize that opportunity by a stubborn coaching staff is a different story.

Coach Bruce Arians said Vaughn is "more than ready" to join the Bucs' backfield mix with Leonard Fournette (ankle) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Fournette is averaging 8.0 carries and 2.7 targets per game on 30 percent snap share, albeit with a big chunk of his production coming in the fourth quarter of a Week 2 win over Carolina. Some of the vacated snaps and touches could go to Ronald Jones, but it sounds like the Bucs are prepping their rookie third-round pick for at least a small role in the Week 4 game plan. With a Thursday contest against the Bears on tap next week, Vaughn could have a couple chances to fill in for Fournette in the Tampa backfield. Apart from five snaps on special teams Week 2, the rookie hasn't seen any playing time in the NFL yet.

Coach Doug Pederson said Friday that Sanders (glute) should be good to go for Sunday's game at San Francisco, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

The 23-year-old was limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he appears to be progressing well from the glute injury. Sanders should be able to avoid an injury designation for this weekend if he's able to practice without limitations Friday, which Pederson indicated is expected.

Dallas could log his first offensive snaps in Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Dallas made his NFL debut in Week 3's win over the Cowboys but only played on special teams. He could get his first shot Sunday if Chris Carson (knee) and Carlos Hyde (shoulder) are unable to play. Both running backs recovered from serious injuries this offseason and were limited participants in Thursday's practice. If neither Carson nor Hyde suits up, Dallas would operate as the No. 2 RB behind Travis Homer.

Gordon rushed 23 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns and secured two of three targets for 11 yards in the Broncos' 37-28 win over the Jets on Thursday night.

Gordon had a good amount of experience repeatedly running into loaded fronts during his time with the Chargers, so the veteran running back was undeterred Thursday depite being consistently bottled up for the majority of the contest. Gordon then broke through at just the right time, exploding for a 43-yard scamper down the left sideline and crossing the goal line with 1:48 remaining to snuff out any threat of a Jets comeback. The 27-year-old also had scored on a one-yard run late in the first half to cap off a nine-play, 75-yard drive. The performance marked Gordon's first 100-yard and multi-touchdown game in a Broncos uniform, and he'll look to follow it up with another strong effort in a Week 5 matchup against the Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 11, although backfield mate Phillip Lindsay (toe) will likely be back for that contest.