NFL Player News

Freeman (ankle) did not practice Thursday, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

On the plus side, the report notes that Freeman -- who is dealing with what has been described as a high ankle sprain -- is improving. Per Legwold, the running back "was moving around Thursday inside the Broncos' complex without the walking boot he has worn at times earlier in the week." There's still a chance that Freeman will progress to the point where he can suit up Sunday against the Chiefs, but if he's limited or out this weekend, added touches would be available for Phillip Lindsay and Devontae Booker.

Abdullah (ankle) practiced fully Thursday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

The unrestricted practice likely puts Abdullah in no danger of missing Sunday's game against the Seahawks. With Theo Riddick (knee) sitting out sessions Wednesday and Thursday and trending toward a second straight absence this weekend, Abdullah will likely dress as the Lions' third running back once again. That role didn't bear much fruit in the Week 7 win over the Dolphins, as Abdullah produced just 13 yards from scrimmage on two touches while working behind Kerryon Johnson and LeGarrette Blount.

Freeman (ankle) wasn't on the field for the start of Thursday's practice and will likely go down as a non-participant in the session, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

The rookie was also withheld from the Broncos' first session of the week a day earlier, a discouraging development given that the team had more time off between games than usual after playing Thursday night in Week 7. Freeman, who exited the Broncos' 45-10 win over the Cardinals with the sprained ankle, will likely need to get back on the field in some capacity Friday to have a shot at drawing a questionable tag heading into Sunday's game in Kansas City. If he ends up missing his first contest of the season, Phillip Lindsay and Devontae Booker would see expanded roles out of the Denver backfield.

Mack (ankle) was not spotted at Thursday's practice, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

Mack's non-participation is notable after he logged a limited practice session Wednesday. We'll have to see if his absence is precautionary, or indicative of a setback that could affect his availability for Sunday's game against the Raiders. With Robert Turbin dealing with a shoulder injury, Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins are currently the Colts' healthiest options at running back.

Penny was limited at Wednesday's practice due to a finger injury, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

On the heels of gaining 70 yards from scrimmage Week 6 against the Raiders followed by a bye week, Penny is tending to a finger issue of some sort. His ability to practice in some capacity is an encouraging sign, but he would allay all concerns with a full session before week's end. Even if he gets a clean bill of health for Sunday's game at Detroit, Penny still has to contend with Chris Carson and Mike Davis for reps out of the backfield, capping the rookie's potential for the time being.

Murray is primed to lead the Minnesota backfield in Sunday's game against the Saints in the expected absence of Dalvin Cook (hamstring), Matthew Coller of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities reports.

After piling up 224 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Cardinals and Jets the past two weeks, Murray will face a bigger challenge in Week 8 versus a Saints team that has limited opposing running backs to 2.8 yards per carry and 48 yards per game. Cook hasn't been ruled out by the team, but he didn't practice Wednesday and reportedly isn't expected to return until after the Vikings' Week 10 bye.

Mack was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury.

Mack previously dealt with a hamstring injury, so the ankle issue is something new. His status will be updated based on his level of practice participation the next two days, but assuming he's able to play Sunday against the Raiders, Mack looks like a solid Week 8 lineup option. He cemented his role as the Colts' top back in the Week 7 triumph over the Bills, carrying 19 times for 126 yards and a score and catching two passes for 33 yards and another touchdown.

Cook (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday.

Prior to the session, coach Mike Zimmer was less than enthusiastic about Cook's potential to return Week 8, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, who later reported the running back isn't expected to suit up Sunday night versus the Saints. The preceding aligns with a report from Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com earlier Wednesday that indicated Cook likely won't play in the Vikings' two games prior to a Week 10 bye. If Cook indeed sits out a fourth straight game this weekend, the Vikings will turn to Latavius Murray to churn out yards on the ground.

Abdullah was limited in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Abdullah played his first offensive snaps of the season during Detroit's win over the Dolphins in Week 7, gaining a yard on his lone carry and hauling in a 12-yard reception. If Theo Riddick (knee) is again sidelined Week 8 against the Seahawks, Abdullah would likely have a small role on offense behind rookie Kerryon Johnson and veteran LeGarrette Bount. In order for that to materialize, however, Abdullah must prove that his own injury isn't a concern.

Jones took most of the running back reps at Wednesday's practice in the absence of Peyton Barber (undisclosed), Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The Tampa Bay backfield situation will require close watching leading up to Sunday's game at Cincinnati. In addition to Barber's unspecified injury, the team may simply have a desire to get Jones more involved with the offense. Undrafted rookie Shaun Wilson reportedly also had a role at Wednesday's practice.