NFL Player News

Barkley finished with 15 carries for just six yards and caught six of nine targets for 60 yards in Monday night's 26-16 loss to the Steelers.

Barkley was stuffed while being subjected to predictable runs calls behind a porous offensive line, resulting in the second-fewest single-game rushing yards of his career. The tailback still made a highlight-reel play, however, hurdling his way to a 38-yard gain on a screen pass in the second quarter. Barkley's involvement in the passing game -- where he tied for the team lead in targets -- salvaged some value, but he'll nonetheless be eager to improve on Monday's dreadful start to the year in Week 2 at the Bears.

Conner (ankle) is officially considered questionable to return to Monday's matchup with the Giants, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Conner had his left ankle taped up early in the second quarter but never returned. The Steelers did not officially label him questionable to return until early in the fourth quarter. He accumulated just nine yards on six carries and eight yards on two receptions prior to exiting the contest. Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels have handled duties in the backfield since his exit, with the former seeing more success.

Conner had his left ankle taped early in the second quarter of Monday's game against the Giants, per Maria Taylor on the ESPN broadcast.

Prior to his departure, Conner had six carries for nine yards and reeled in two of four targets for eight yards. As long as Conner is sidelined, Benny Snell will handle early downs while Jaylen Samuels takes on a pass-catching role out of the Steelers backfield.

Edwards had four carries for 17 yards Sunday against the Browns.

The physical runner is facing added competition for carries this season with rookie J.K. Dobbins in the fold and Mark Ingram remaining the starter. Edwards still got some work, playing 25 percent of the team's total snaps. However, two of his carries came on the final drive when Baltimore was running out the clock. Edwards is effective on a per-carry basis, but he's locked into a very specific role that does not lend itself to much volume when Ingram and Dobbins are healthy.

With Marlon Mack having ruptured his Achilles, coach Frank Reich confirmed Monday that Taylor "will step into the starting" running back role for the Colts, Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports.

"He's ready," Reich said of the rookie second-rounder, while adding that Nyheim Hines "will still be a big part of the offense" and that Jordan Wilkins will also be in the mix. In any case, instead of being part of a one-two punch with Mack atop the team's backfield depth chart as originally planned, Taylor is now the team's clear lead back going forward, a role that greatly boosts the Wisconsin product's fantasy value, beginning this coming weekend against the Vikings.

Reynolds signed with Jacksonville's practice squad Monday.

The 24-year-old was in camp with the Falcons but was unable to earn a spot on the season-opening roster. Reynolds appeared in three games for Washington last season but didn't play an offensive snap.

McFarland is inactive for Monday night's season opener against the Giants, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

With McFarland's NFL debut on hold, the Steelers will roll out a Week 1 backfield led by James Conner, with Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels set to work in reserve/change-of-pace roles.

McNichols was promoted from the Titans' practice squad to the active roster Monday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The 24-year-old was added to the practice squad after failing to make Tennessee's season-opening roster, but he'll serve as an extra player ahead of Monday's matchup with Denver. McNichols will provide depth at running back with No. 2 option Darrynton Evans (hamstring) unavailable Week 1, and he'll revert back to the practice squad after the contest.

While Jonathan Taylor will take over as the primary running back with Marlon Mack out for the season with a torn Achilles, Hines will get snaps on all downs, head coach Frank Reich told Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site.

Hines had two touchdowns (one receiving and one rushing) in Sunday's loss to the Jaguars as he had a larger role than expected even when Mack was healthy. He'll now be the No. 2 running back and could get the vast majority of receptions on passing downs, though Taylor looked sharp Sunday in the passing game (where he struggled at times in college).

Boone did not play a snap on offense in Sunday's loss to Green Bay. He did play 17 snaps on special teams.

Boone is listed as fourth on the RB depth chart, though he'd likely supplant Ameer Abdullah if Dalvin Cook or Alexander Mattison were to get hurt and the team needed someone to get significant carries. In the meantime, Boone's role will be limited almost exclusively to special teams.