-
Matt Breida RB | SF
49ers' Matt Breida: Questionable for Thursday
Breida (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Raiders, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Until the 49ers actually opt to give Breida a respite, he should be available on gamedays. In the Week 8 loss to the Cardinals, Breida led the backfield with 31 (of 66) offensive snaps, earning 16 carries for 42 yards. Meanwhile, Raheem Mostert (12 snaps) and Alfred Morris (11) combined for eight rushes for 46 yards.
-
Dalvin Cook RB | DAL
Vikings' Dalvin Cook: Limited in return Wednesday
Cook (hamstring) was limited at Wednesday's practice.
After focusing on rehabilitation of his left hamstring for the last two weeks, Cook was a participant in practice for the first time since Oct. 17. His presence indicates a return may be possible Sunday against the Lions, but his hamstring will have to avoid the flareups that have kept him on the sideline for four games in a row and five of the past six contests.
-
Dalvin Cook RB | DAL
Vikings' Dalvin Cook: Practicing Wednesday
Cook (hamstring) participated in practice Wednesday, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Donning helmet and pads, Cook was working with the rest of the Vikings' running backs in the team's first practice of the week, per Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The news suggests Cook will be at least a limited participant, which will be clarified when the Vikings release their initial Week 9 injury report later in the day. While any activity from Cook is encouraging, he admitted to Krammer on Monday that the prospect of a setback with his hamstring continues to weigh on his mind. With a Week 10 bye incoming, Cook is a candidate to miss a fifth consecutive game Sunday against the Lions with an eye toward the second half of the season.
-
Royce Freeman RB | CHI
Broncos' Royce Freeman: Absent from practice
Freeman (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.
Freeman is less than two weeks removed from suffering a high-ankle sprain in a Thursday night game against the Cardinals. Another absence in Week 9 would leave more work for Phillip Lindsay and Devontae Booker, both of whom were productive in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Chiefs. The Broncos will host the Texans this weekend.
-
Ronald Jones RB | DAL
Buccaneers' Ronald Jones II: Likely out 1-to-2 weeks
Jones is expected to miss 1-to-2 weeks due to a hamstring injury, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Jones was knocked out of the Bucs' Week 8 loss at Cincinnati with what was eventually termed a hamstring strain. Unfortunately for the rookie, he's now slated to take a seat just as he was beginning to gain regular involvement on offense. Expect Peyton Barber to continue acting as the primary running back in Week 9 against the Panthers, with Jacquizz Rodgers also earning the occasional touch. The Bucs' lone other healthy back, undrafted rookie Shaun Wilson, could also see a minor uptick in opportunity while Jones is sidelined.
-
D'Onta Foreman RB | CLE
Texans' D'Onta Foreman: Won't practice until Week 11
Coach Bill O'Brien said the Texans will "more than likely" wait until "after the [Week 10] bye" before clearing Foreman (Achilles) to practice, Deepi Sidhu of the team's official site reports.
In essence, the Texans are waiting until the last possible moment to see if Foreman can return from the torn left Achilles' tendon, which he sustained Nov. 19, 2017. Once he takes part in drills, Foreman will open a 21-day window to be activated from the PUP list. If he returns this season, it'll be interesting to see how he fits into a backfield currently led by Lamar Miller and Alfred Blue.
-
James Conner RB | ARI
Steelers' James Conner: Poised to lead backfield in Week 9
Conner is once again expected to serve as Pittsburgh's lead back Sunday in Baltimore after Le'Veon Bell (contract dispute) failed to report to the team Wednesday for its first practice of Week 9, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
There was some thought that Bell might rejoin the Steelers this week after he stayed put in Pittsburgh following Tuesday's trade deadline, but it appears the 26-year-old's prolonged holdout will extend through at least one more game. Given that Bell can still become a free agent this offseason if he reports to the team prior to Week 11, there's a good chance he'll also remain away from the team for its Thursday night game against the Panthers in Week 10. Conner has taken full advantage of Bell's absence through Pittsburgh's first seven contests, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and hauling in 31 receptions while reaching the end zone nine times. That exceptional production could be enough for Conner to keep the top backfield job even once Bell returns, especially with the Steelers seemingly on course to part ways with the disgruntled three-time Pro Bowler after the season.
-
Raheem Mostert RB | LV
49ers' Raheem Mostert: Limited participant Tuesday
Mostert (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com report.
Mostert progressed from a non-participant Monday, but the 49ers have yet to go through a traditional practice session during the short week of preparation. The 26-year-old saw only 12 offensive snaps Sunday before suffering the ankle injury, and Wednesday's practice session should provide a better idea of his availability for Thursday's matchup against the Raiders.
-
Matt Breida RB | SF
49ers' Matt Breida: Limited again Tuesday
Breida (ankle) was listed as a limited participant at Tuesday's walkthrough, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Breida has been limited through the first two practices of the week, although both sessions have been walkthroughs due to the short week of preparation for Thursday's game against the Raiders. The 23-year-old was expected to be limited heading into Sunday's game against the Cardinals but still received 16 carries and generally appeared no worse for wear. Breida appears on track to be ready for Thursday's Bay Area matchup.
-
Chase Edmonds RB | WAS
Cardinals' Chase Edmonds: Receives three touches Week 8
Edmonds took two carries for nine yards and corralled one of two passes for 12 yards during Sunday's 18-15 victory against the 49ers.
After going five games without a catch, Edmonds has been involved as a receiver the last two weeks, helping him post exactly 21 yards from scrimmage in back-to-back contests. In the wake of working under a new offensive coordinator, his touch count didn't waver from its typical handful, so the rookie running back isn't much more than a David Johnson handcuff at the moment.