NFL Player News

Mostert is out for the remainder of Thursday's game against the Raiders with a forearm injury.

Mostert was tripped up in the backfield on a third quarter run and suffered a gruesome looking injury to his forearm. The third-year back headed to the locker room in an air cast and could be looking at an extended absence going forward. Mostert was electrifying before exiting, ripping off multiple big runs including a 52-yard scamper in the third quarter. Matt Breida and Alfred Morris figure to head up the 49ers backfield if Mostert indeed misses game action.

Mostert (ankle) is active for Thursday's game against the Raiders.

The 49ers will have all their backfield options at their disposal in Week 9 with both Mostert and Matt Breida shaking off their respective injuries to play on short rest between games. It appeared Mostert had settled in as the top complement to Breida after compiling 146 yards on 19 carries between Weeks 6 and 7, but the 26-year-old saw his opportunities take a hit in the Week 8 loss to the Cardinals, as he earned only two touches while Alfred Morris (six carries for 28 yards) took on an expanded role. It's thus difficult to predict how the backfield workload might shake out against Oakland, but the 49ers could lean more heavily on the ground game as a whole with an unproven quarterback Nick Mullens taking his first NFL snaps while filling in for injured starter C.J. Beathard (wrist/thumb).

Breida (ankle) is listed as active Thursday against the Raiders.

Per usual, Breida is playing with his health compromised, but it hasn't stopped him from leading the backfield most weeks this season. In a Week 8 loss at Arizona, he handled 31 (of 66) snaps on offense, which was nearly three times the usage of fellow running backs Raheem Mostert (12) and Alfred Morris (11). With Mostert tending to an ankle injury himself, Breida seems like a safe bet to maintain the upper hand in the 49ers backfield.

Gordon (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Back-to-back practices, albeit in a limited fashion, put Gordon on the right track as Sunday's game against the Seahawks approaches. We'll revisit his status no later than Friday afternoon, upon the release of the team's final Week 9 injury report. Ideally, he'll approach the weekend minus an injury designation, given that the Chargers are kicking off at 4:05 ET on Sunday.

Kamara didn't practice Thursday due to an illness.

Kamara wasn't present at the open portion of the session, after which Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reported an illness was the reason for the running back's absence. Thursday's injury report confirms as much. Fortunately for Kamara, he fell ill midweek rather than close to gameday, which indicates the Saints may clear him well before Sunday's contest with the Rams.

Cook (hamstring) has been limited in practice this week and "feels great," but he's unsure if he'll be able to return Sunday versus the Lions, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Cook's presence in practice this week is a welcome development, but his expressed doubts are understandable. He elaborated on his uncertainty, saying that practice doesn't test out the viability of his hamstring like a pregame workout. When he last took part in the latter Week 6, he was unable to gain clearance to play, something that may be in the back of his mind. Whenever Cook returns, though, "it's going to be on," per Tomasson. As long as Cook is sidelined, the Vikings will give most of the backfield reps to veteran Latavius Murray.

Freeman (ankle) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Freeman was spotted on the practice field Thursday with his helmet, but he didn't participate in any team drills and was subsequently officially listed as not practicing. His status for Sunday's game against the Texans is thus murky, especially with the Broncos' Week 10 bye looming. If Freeman remains sidelined this weekend, Phillip Lindsay would head Denver's Week 9 backfield, with Devontae Booker on hand to work in a change-of-pace role.

Kamara (undisclosed) wasn't on the field for the open portion of Thursday's practice, Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune reports.

Kamara's absence is a bit of a surprise after he handled every practice rep Wednesday. He tended to a knee injury for a two-week stretch earlier this season, but until the Saints release Thursday's version of the practice report, the potential DNP will be unexplained.

Freeman (ankle) was spotted at practice Thursday, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Post reports.

We'll have to see how the Broncos list his participation level, but Freeman's presence on the field Thursday suggests that he could return to action as soon as Sunday's game against the Texans. Once he's fully up to speed, Freeman would presumably resume a backfield time-share with Phillip Lindsay, with Devontae Booker on hand to work in a change-of-pace role.

Mostert (ankle) is expected to play Thursday against the Raiders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Presented with a short week to prepare for this contest, the 49ers wouldn't surprise if they involve all three of their running backs. Top option Matt Breida is slated to suit up in spite of a lingering ankle injury, but coach Kyle Shanahan has inserted Mostert and Alfred Morris into the backfield for various stretches this season. Over the last four games, Mostert has averaged 7.8 touches for 48 yards from scrimmage per game. However, he managed just two carries for 18 yards this past Sunday at Arizona.