NFL Player News

Blue is listed as active Sunday at the Jets.

After being a healthy scratch for each of the Cowboys' first four games of the season, Blue will be available to make his pro debut Week 5. The rookie fifth-round pick will be one of the reserves behind starter Javonte Williams along with FB Hunter Luepke, as Miles Sanders (knee/ankle) is inactive. Blue averaged 5.7 yards per carry, recorded 56 catches for 503 yards and scored 18 total touchdowns in 29 games in his final two collegiate campaigns at Texas.

The Cardinals are expected to "lean on" Carter on first and second downs during Sunday's game against the Titans after Trey Benson (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Just over a quarter of the way into the season, Arizona is already down its top two running backs. James Conner suffered a foot injury Week 3 that required season-ending surgery, while Benson is appears set to miss at least 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing meniscus surgery earlier this week. Emari Demercado had opened the season as Arizona's No. 3 running back behind those two players, but rather than elevating Demercado to the lead-back role, Schefter relays that the Cardinals instead plan to keep him in his usual pass-catching/change-of-pace role. Carter, who had previously been elevated from the practice squad for Week 4 before being signed to the 53-man roster Monday, thus looks poised to see the brunt of the early-down work and represents the best bet to lead the Arizona backfield in carries Sunday. Even so, Carter could still struggle to see enough overall touches to make for a comfortable option in fantasy lineups. In addition to losing out on some third-down snaps to Demercado, Carter could also cede some red-zone running opportunities to dual-threat quarterback Kyler Murray.

Pierce is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Pierce is back in the Texans' RB mix in Week 5, but with Nick Chubb, Woody Marks, Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks also on hand, it remains to be seen what sort of snap share/volume Pierce might see Sunday. In one game thus far, Pierce has logged three carries for five yards.

Neal (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Neal will be a healthy scratch for a fourth consecutive game while the Saints roll with a three-man backfield of Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and Velus Jones. Neal's next chance to see the field is Week 6 against the Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Wright is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

With Wright the odd man out, De'Von Achane and Ollie Gordon will handle Miami's backfield duties Sunday. Wright is thus off the fantasy radar until he reclaims a spot in the team's RB rotation behind Achane.

McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

For a fifth straight week, McLaughlin is a healthy scratch. J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey have handled most of the RB duties, with Tyler Badie serving as a depth option.

Tracy (shoulder) is listed as inactive Sunday at New Orleans, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Tracy got back on the practice field Friday for the first time since dislocating his right shoulder Week 3 versus the Chiefs, but the limited session wasn't enough for the Giants to clear him for game action. While Tracy is missing a second consecutive contest, Cam Skattebo will continue to lead New York's backfield, and Devin Singletary will mix in behind him. Tracy's next chance to return to action is Thursday against the Eagles.

Sanders (knee/ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game at the Jets, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Sanders wasn't able to practice during Week 5 prep due to knee and ankle injuries, but a questionable designation left the door open for him to be available to the Cowboys offense Sunday. The proceeding didn't come to pass, though, so Dallas will roll with rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue and fullback Hunter Luepke as the backfield options behind starter Javonte Williams. Sanders' next chance to suit up is Sunday, Oct. 12 in Carolina.

Irving (foot/shoulder), who has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, is likely to remain sidelined for the Buccaneers' Week 6 contest versus the 49ers on Oct. 12, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

In the aftermath of the Buccaneers' Week 4 loss to the Eagles, Irving was diagnosed with a left foot sprain, which confined him to a walking boot and kept him from practicing Wednesday through Friday before Tampa Bay confirmed he wouldn't play this weekend. In addition, Irving was listed on the Buccaneers' official injury report with a shoulder issue, which Schefter relays is a subluxation that is considered the worse of the running back's two health concerns. The Buccaneers will likely wait and see what, if any, practice activity Irving is able to take part in during the upcoming week before deciding on his status for the matchup with the 49ers, but fantasy managers should brace for a two-game absence for the second-year tailback. While Irving is out, Rachaad White is expected to see the majority of the carries out of the Tampa Bay backfield in addition to serving as the team's top pass-catching back, though reserves Sean Tucker and Josh Williams are also expected to see expanded profiles in the ground attack.

White is expected to receive the "vast majority" of carries in Sunday's game against the Seahawks while starter Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) is sidelined for the contest, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Through the first four weeks of the season, White has filled a change-of-pace role behind Irving, but the former should have the opportunity to see his largest workload to date while the Buccaneers are without their top running back. Though Pelissero notes that the Buccaneers also have a plan to keep Sean Tucker involved in the ground attack and expect undrafted rookie Josh Williams to get some opportunities out of the backfield as well, White looks to be the most appealing fantasy option of Tampa Bay's three healthy running backs. In addition to being expected to lead the way in carries, White should also dominate the work on passing downs.