NFL Player News

Kamara (illness) returned to practice Friday as a full participant and doesn't carry a designation into Sunday's game against the Rams, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

Kamara missed Thursday's practice with the illness but never seemed to be in serious jeopardy of sitting out the upcoming NFC showdown. He took on a surprisingly large share of the backfield workload in last week's 30-20 win over the Vikings, handling 20 touches and while playing 72 percent of the Saints' offensive snaps in a two-touchdown performance. He only played about half of the offensive snaps in the Saints' first two games following Mark Ingram's return from suspension.

Thomas (hamstring) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Thomas suffered the hamstring injury in last Sunday's loss to the Saints and was unable to practice this week. Dalvin Cook (hamstring) is set to return in a limited capacity this week, which would have cut into Thomas' meager offensive workload regardless.

Coach Vance Joseph said that the Broncos' Week 10 bye would "absolutely" factor into Freeman's (ankle) availability for Sunday's game against the Texans, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports. The Broncos are listing Freeman as questionable for the contest.

A multi-game hiatus always seemed to be a likely outcome for Freeman after he was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain following the Broncos' Week 7 win over the Cardinals, but the rookie improved his chances of limiting his absence to one game after he returned to the practice field this week. While he was in uniform Thursday, Freeman ultimately went down as a non-participant in practice on the Broncos' official injury report, but it appears he was able to demonstrate enough progress in Friday's session to avoid being ruled out prior to the weekend. Freeman's questionable tag implies he has a 50-50 shot to play Sunday, but Joseph's comments suggest the odds are probably lower than that. Even if Freeman gains clearance to play, there's a good possibility he'll handle only a limited role, which would clear the way for No. 1 back Phillip Lindsay to pick up another sizable workload.

Freeman (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

Per Stevens, coach Vance Joseph noted Freeman is "getting better really fast," but the running back's questionable designation is reflective of the fact that he's not a lock to play in Week 9. If Freeman remains sidelined or has his snaps limited Sunday, Devontae Booker would retain a more sizable role behind lead back Phillip Lindsay.

Cook (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune relayed earlier Friday that Cook is expected to return from a four-game absence and handle a limited role alongside backfield mate Latavius Murray, with the caveat that Minnesota had the same plan for Week 6 against Arizona. The Vikings instead ruled Cook out for that contest after his hamstring felt tight in pregame warmups, with the second-year player subsequently missing the next two games. It's only reasonable to expect another game-time call on Cook's status ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. EST kickoff. It will be tough to trust either Murray or Cook in fantasy lineups if the latter is cleared to play, though the duo draws a favorable matchup with a Detroit defense that has allowed 5.1 yards per carry and 144.6 rushing yards per game this season. The Vikings listed Cook as a limited participant in every practice this week.

Cook (hamstring) is tentatively scheduled to play in Sunday's game against the Lions and handle a limited snap count, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Vikings reportedly entered Week 6 against Arizona with a similar plan, only to scrap it when Cook's hamstring didn't feel up to par during pregame warmups. It sounds like he'll be headed for another game-time decision Sunday against the Lions, with kickoff mercifully scheduled for 1 p.m. EST. Given the uncertainty about his health and workload, Cook will be tough to trust in lineups even if he's cleared to play. His return would be bad news for anyone hoping to start Latavius Murray this week.

The Buccaneers ruled Jones (hamstring) out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Jones didn't practice at all this week and never really had much hope of playing after it was revealed he was dealing with a strained hamstring in the aftermath of the Week 8 loss to the Bengals. The rookie's absence gives Peyton Barber a higher degree of workload certainty, while undrafted rookie Shaun Wilson is expected to be active as the No. 3 running back behind Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers. Given the lack of practice participation, it feels like a stretch to expect Jones back for Tampa Bay's Week 10 game against Washington.

Breida (ankle) rushed 12 times for 41 yards and brought in his only target for three yards in the 49ers' 34-3 win over the Raiders on Thursday. He also recovered a fumble.

Breida was outperformed by backfield mate Raheem Mostert, who ultimately suffered what appears to be a season-ending forearm injury during the contest. That projects to leave Breida in the driver's seat for lead-back duties moving forward, and the 11 days off before a Week 10 Monday night battle against the Giants should do the 23-year-old back some good. Breida has been hampered by an ankle injury of late, which appears to have robbed him of some of his trademark explosion -- after averaging between 4.2 and 12.5 yards per rush in his first six games, Breida has posted yard-per-carry figures of 2.6 to 3.4 over his last three contests.

Martin rushed 11 times for 49 yards and brought in one of two targets for 20 yards in the Raiders' 34-3 loss to the 49ers on Thursday.

Martin once again handed lead-back duties and was fairly efficient in the role. However, game flow certainly conspired against him, as the 49ers boasted a 17-3 halftime lead that they expanded to 31-3 by the end of three quarters. Martin has rushed 24 times for 121 yards in his first two games as the No. 1 back, a feat made all the more impressive by the fact it's taken place behind an offensive line that often has trouble providing any type of resistance against opposing fronts. Martin will hope for more opportunities against the Chargers in a Week 10 battle.

Mostert is likely out for the season after fracturing his right forearm in Thursday's win over the Raiders, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports reports.

While he is not officially out for the season, head coach Kyle Shanahan assumes it is the case for Mostert given the gruesome nature of the injury. If he does land on injured reserve, he will be joining fellow running back Jerick McKinnon (knee), leaving the 49ers with Alfred Morris and Matt Breida as the only healthy options currently on the roster. Expect the team to bring in a free agent back or promote one from the practice squad before next Monday's matchup with the Giants. Mostert had his best performance of the season before exiting the contest, recording 86 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.