NFL Player News

Ozigbo (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans, John Oehser of the Jaguars" official site reports.

Ozigbo's absence comes as no surprise considering he hasn't been able to practice since promptly re-injuring the same hamstring that forced him to miss the season's first six games. Considering he seems to have returned too early from his original injury, Ozigbo will likely take extra precautions to make sure his hamstring fully heals this time before he sees the field again.

Coach Matt Rhule said he expects McCaffrey (ankle) to play in Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.

Rhule made a similar comment earlier in the week and reinforced it after Friday's practice. He wasn't willing to elaborate on expectations for McCaffrey's role, but the star running back should at least get activated from injured reserve before Sunday. Given that he's been practicing for more than a week now, it isn't out of the question that McCaffrey could see his usual 20-plus touches in his first game back from a high ankle sprain. If the Panthers have any reservations about having McCaffrey reclaim his normal allotment of snaps and touches right away, backup Mike Davis should be able to help him shoulder the load after proving himself capable as both a runner and pass catcher over the past six games.

McCaffrey (ankle) practiced again Friday and appears on track to play in Sunday's game against the Chiefs, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

McCaffrey returned to practice last week, but he wasn't quite able to make it back for a Thursday night game against Atlanta. Ten days later, McCaffrey now looks ready to play, though his availability for Week 9 won't be confirmed until the Panthers officially activate him from injured reserve. While Mike Davis could still see some backfield work, McCaffrey is the much better bet to pile up carries, targets, yards and touchdowns.

Pollard could have an increased workload Sunday against the Steelers if Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) has trouble in his pregame workout, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Elliott has been limited at practice all week, creating some question about his availability Sunday. Though the Cowboys still anticipate Elliott playing Week 9, he could see a reduction in his snap and touch counts while he manages the hamstring injury. If that's the case, Pollard would likely see his role in the Dallas offense grow. Pollard set season highs in rushing yards (40) and receiving yards (24) during last week's loss to the Eagles.

Elliott (hamstring) was more limited than expected at practice Thursday, but coach Mike McCarthy said the running back was feeling better Friday, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The extent of Elliott's participation in Friday's practice won't be known until the Cowboys issue their final Week 9 injury report later in the day, but he appears likely to be listed as limited once again. McCarthy also said Elliott will go through pregame work Sunday to determine his final availability for the Cowboys' matchup with the Steelers, so the 25-year-old looks set to carry a questionable tag into the matchup. Tony Pollard could have an increased role in the Cowboys' game plan if Elliott is held out or limited Sunday.

Hasty rushed just four times for three yards and brought in both of his targets for 10 yards in the 49ers' 34-17 loss to the Packers on Thursday night. He also returned one kickoff for 21 yards.

Hasty was set to share backfield duties with Jerick McKinnon in what was assumed to be a more even split, but ultimately, the latter logged eight more carries. Hasty had seen no fewer than nine rush attempts in the three games prior to Thursday's, so the downturn in his opportunities against Green Bay's vulnerable rush defense was especially discouraging. Hasty will hope to garner more total touches in a Week 10 battle against the Saints in 10 days if both Raheem Mostert (IR-ankle) and Tevin Coleman (knee) remain out for that contest.

McKinnon rushed 12 times for 52 yards and a touchdown and brought in three of four targets for 16 yards in the 49ers' 34-17 loss to the Packers on Thursday night. He also returned one kickoff for 30 yards.

McKinnon led the backfield in rushes with Raheem Mostert (IR-ankle) and Tevin Coleman (knee) both out, posting his highest carry total since Week 4. The seven-year pro had totaled just 13 rush attempts combined over the previous four games, so Thursday's boost in workload was certainly encouraging from a fantasy perspective. McKinnon now also has five rushing touchdowns on the campaign, and he'll have a chance to add to that total in a touch matchup against the Saints in a Week 10 battle on Sunday, Nov. 15.

Jones (calf) rushed 15 times for 58 yards and secured all five targets for an additional 21 yards in the Packers' 34-17 win over the 49ers on Thursday night.

Jones was able to make it through pregame workouts without issue, setting the stage for his return from a two-game absence on a night the Packers were without Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon for COVID-related reasons. Jones paced the backfield in carries, but Tyler Ervin did complement him nicely with eight attempts as game script allowed Green Bay to keep the star running back's workload lighter than usual. Jones now has the luxury of a few extra days of rest ahead of a very favorable Week 10 matchup against the Jaguars on Sunday, Nov. 15.

Homer (knee) logged a limited practice session Thursday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Pete Carroll had alluded to this as a possibility during his media session Wednesday, stating that he believed Homer would prove capable of suiting up for the Seahawks' Week 9 road trip to Buffalo. The running back's improvement to limited availability provides the first step towards making his coach's prediction come true, though his usage may be extremely limited if Chris Carson (foot) makes his return from a one-game absence. Homer fought through injury to suit up Week 8 against the 49ers, though he only notched one carry on seven offensive snaps as DeeJay Dallas shouldered most of the RB workload.

Drake (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

For a second consecutive day, Drake wasn't with his teammates on the practice field as he tends to a slight tear of a ligament in his ankle. He may be just one DNP away from the Cardinals ruling him out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, but ultimately Friday's injury report will have the final say. If Drake is unable to suit up Week 9, Chase Edmonds will be Arizona's lead back, with Jonathan Ward and Eno Benjamin on hand for any reps that linger.