NFL Player News

Conner (shoulder) missed practice again Friday, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

We'll check back on Conner's status later Friday, but he's trending toward a Week 9 absence, a scenario that would set the stage for Jaylen Samuels to head the Steelers' backfield Sunday against the Colts.

Breida (ankle) rushed 15 times for 78 yards and secured both targets for 14 yards in the 49ers' 28-25 win over the Cardinals on Thursday.

Breida helmed the 49ers' backfield after overcoming his ankle injury during the short week, out-touching backfield mate Tevin Coleman on the ground by three carries. Breida corroborated the fitness of his ankle with a game-high 31-yard run, and his rushing total was his highest since Week 4 against the Browns. The timeshare between Breida and Coleman will likely continue to be difficult to predict week to week, so both players will remain fantasy considerations against the Seahawks in a Week 10 divisional matchup a week from Monday.

Drake rushed 15 times for 110 yards and a touchdown and also secured all four targets for 52 yards in the Cardinals' 28-25 loss to the 49ers on Thursday. He also caught a two-point conversion pass.

The odds were stacked against a successful Drake debut coming in. There was naturally the matchup against the elite 49ers defense, as well as the fact it would be difficult to find an offense more incompatible to a three-day cram session (the running back was traded to Arizona on Monday) than coach Kliff Kingsbury's air raid attack. However, Drake's fresh legs and apparently buoyant mindset after being dealt out of Miami combined to produce a spectacular performance, one in which the fourth-year back posted his best rushing total since Week 14 of the 2017 season. Drake also put his impressive receiving skills on display in the fast-paced scheme, and for at least one game, provided solace to Cardinals coaches and fans alike that he can keep the team's ground attack afloat in the event of any further absences on the part of David Johnson (ankle) and Chase Edmonds (hamstring). Drake will look to build on Thursday's effort against the Buccaneers in Week 10, although the status of both Johnson and Edmonds will help determine who large Drake's workload might be in that contest.

Mostert (knee) is active for Thursday's game at Arizona.

Mostert and Matt Breida (ankle) followed an LP/DNP/LP practice regimen Monday through Wednesday, but the limitations won't hurt their ability to suit up Week 9. Mostert has been the 49ers' clear No. 3 running back this season behind Breida and Tevin Coleman, averaging 17.6 snaps on offense and 8.3 touches per game.

Breida (ankle) is listed as active Thursday at Arizona.

Despite Breida and Raheem Mostert (knee) having their practice reps inhibited this week, the 49ers will have all four running backs on the 53-man roster (also, Tevin Coleman and Jeff Wilson) available to them. Breida himself has the largest offensive snap share of the group for the season, but Coleman is coming off a four-touchdown performance this past Sunday against the Panthers.

Jones (shoulder) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jones missed a handful of snaps on offense during a Week 8 win at Kansas City due to a shoulder injury, which now has impacted his practice reps for a second straight session. He'll aim for an uncapped showing Friday as the Packers ramp up for another visit to an AFC West opponent (Sunday against the Chargers in L.A.).

Drake is expected to receive "major run" in his Cardinals debut Thursday against the 49ers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The Cardinals are expected to be without their top two options out of the backfield in Week 9, as Chase Edmonds (hamstring) has been ruled out, while David Johnson (ankle) is questionable but unlikely to play. Those likely absences leave Drake -- who was acquired from the Dolphins on Monday -- Zach Zenner and Alfred Morris as the lone healthy options at running back. Considering Zenner and Morris only joined the roster one week earlier, they won't hold much of an advantage in terms of system experience, giving Drake a good chance to lead the Arizona running game right off the bat. Even if granted a big role right away, Drake may struggle to find much success against a swarming San Francisco defense.

Jacobs (shoulder) remained limited at practice Thursday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Jacobs didn't practice last week until Friday, so he's already well ahead of where he was this time last week, on the heels of back-to-back limited sessions. We expect the running back to be out there for Sunday's 4:05 ET tilt against the Lions, but there's a decent chance the Raiders will officially list him as questionable on their final Week 9 injury report.

Sanders (shoulder) was listed as a full participant on Thursday's injury report.

The 2019 second-round pick has brushed off the shoulder injury that kept him sidelined Wednesday. With his health not in question, he can continue to serve as an able complement to top running back Jordan Howard.

Conner (shoulder) missed practice again Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

As did Benny Snell (knee), which makes it increasingly likely that the Steelers' Week 9 backfield could feature Jaylen Samuels, with Trey Edmunds in reserve. Added clarity on that front will arrive Friday when the team's final injury report for Sunday's game against the Colts is revealed.