NFL Player News

Cook (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday.

What was initially called "cramping" after Sunday's tie with the Packers was confirmed as a hamstring injury by midweek, spurring back-to-back absences from practice. Cook was able to fit in some work on the side Thursday, so he may be gearing up for an appearance at Friday's session, Even if he's able to participate Friday, he seems destined for a questionable tag for Sunday's matchup with the Bills. A hobbled Cook would allow Latavius Murray to take on a greater workload than his 7.5 touches per game this season.

Rawls (general soreness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Rawls was limited in his first Bengals practice Wednesday due to general soreness, but he now appears fully healthy. The 25-year-old will serve as Cincinnati's No. 3 running back behind Giovani Bernard and Mark Walton until Joe Mixon (knee) is able to return to the field. Rawls currently holds little fantasy value in what stands to be a minimal offensive role.

Cook (hamstring) worked out on a side field during the part of Thursday's practice open to the media, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Cook left the overtime period of Sunday's tie in Green Bay with what was later termed "cramping," but a DNP at Wednesday's practice was accompanied by a hamstring tag. The severity of the injury is unknown, but it appears he's focusing on rehab rather than on-field work so far this week. Behind Cook, Latavius Murray is waiting in the wings in case any reps become available.

Head coach Marvin Lewis said Thursday that running backs Giovani Bernard and Mark Walton will "shoulder the load" while Joe Mixon (knee) is sidelined, leaving Rawls as the clear No. 3 running back, Ross Tucker of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Rawls was signed this week to help bolster the Bengals' backfield depth with Mixon (knee) out multiple weeks. However, it doesn't appear that Rawls will get much work in his absence, as Cincinnati appears set on using the guys that have been with the team and working in their system. Rawls will only have fantasy relevance should either Bernard or Walton suffer an injury themselves.

Mack (foot/hamstring) was not present for Thursday's practice, Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

It remains to be seen if the Colts are simply managing the running back's reps, given that he's dealing with foot and hamstring issues, or if he's actually in any danger of missing Sunday's game against the Eagles. What Mack does (or doesn't do) at practice Friday will thus be telling with regard to his Week 3 status.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis suggested Thursday that Walton will likely serve as the top backup to Giovani Bernard while Joe Mixon (knee) is sidelined, Ross Tucker of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports. "Giovani and Mark Walton will shoulder the load for the next few weeks," Lewis said.

A healthy inactive for the first two games of the season, Walton has shot up the depth chart in the wake of Mixon's setback in the Week 2 win over the Ravens and the release of Tra Carson, who went down with a hamstring injury in Monday's practice. The Bengals signed veteran back Thomas Rawls on Wednesday to bolster their depth at the position, but Lewis' comments indicate that the rookie fourth-round pick will work as Bernard's top understudy Week 3 against the Panthers. It's assumed that Bernard will initially handle the overwhelming share of snaps at the position, so Walton's usage on offense may primarily come when the former requires a breather.

Wilds missed Wednesday's practice with an illness.

With Leonard Fournette (hamstring) inactive during last week's win over the Patriots, Wilds suited up for the first time all season. He played only five snaps as the Jaguars' clear No. 3 back, finishing with four yards on three carries. Assuming Wilds shakes off the illness by the end of the week, he should be available Week 3 against the Titans, though he would likely return to the inactive list if both Fournette and T.J. Yeldon (ankle) are also cleared to play.

Gordon (neck) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.

Gordon sustained an unspecified upper-body injury during the Chargers' 31-20 win over the Bills last Sunday, with Los Angeles deeming it a neck issue in their first practice report of Week 3. More important than the specificity of Gordon's injury is the fact that he was on the practice field at full capacity, putting him on track to suit up this weekend in a difficult matchup with the Rams.

Henry (back) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Henry is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry on 28 rushing attempts through two games. Assuming the back issue doesn't present any long-term complications, he'll no doubt improve on those numbers in the coming weeks. However, it's tough to be optimistic about Henry's prospects in Week 3 against a rugged Jacksonville defense. It doesn't help matters that offseason pickup Dion Lewis (30 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown) continues to cut into Henry's volume.

Mixon (knee) did some work in the weight room Wednesday, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Mixon spoke with the Cincinnati media earlier in the day, revealing that his recent arthroscopic procedure addressed a slight meniscus tear in his right knee. Initial reports suggested he was facing a two-week recovery period, and while he still doesn't expect a long-term absence, the timeline now seems somewhat murkier. Giovani Bernard is expected to handle a considerable workload Sunday in Carolina, with Mark Walton and new acquisition Thomas Rawls providing depth. Mixon's presence in the weight room is a good sign, though he's likely limited to upper-body work for the time being.