NFL Player News

McNichols was waived by the Colts on Tuesday.

McNichols recorded two carries for four yards with Indianapolis this season, having been promoted from the team's practice squad less than a week ago. The 2017 fifth-round pick will become an unrestricted free agent if he clears waivers and will look to earn a depth role elsewhere in the league.

Walton had five carries for nine yards and caught two passes (on four targets) for 28 yards in Sunday's win over the Falcons.

Walton played a season-high 28 snaps on offense and was on the field for the Bengals' game-winning drive, with Gio Bernard out with an undisclosed injury. Joe Mixon has a decent chance of returning this week, and we don't know Bernard's status yet. Walton could get limited action again if either Mixon or Bernard has to sit, but if he reverts back to the third back, his playing time will be sparse.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Tuesday that Elliott (knee, ankle) is "banged up, but not to the extent" he won't be able to play Sunday in Houston, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Elliott emerged from a Week 4 win against the Lions with knee bursitis and a sore ankle, the result of a hefty workload. Referencing the 25 carries and four catches from that contest, Jones added, "I do want that kind of workload for him." In the end, Elliott compiled a career-high 240 yards from scrimmage and tacked on his third touchdown of the season. Wednesday's injury report will give the first indication whether the knee and ankle woes will impact his activity level during Week 5 prep.

Freeman rushed eight times for 67 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's 27-23 loss to the Chiefs.

Freeman found the end zone by breaking some tackles along the right sideline during a 14-yard run in the second quarter. That marked the rookie's third trip to pay dirt in as many weeks, making him a reliable touchdown commodity early on. That's not all Freeman's been good for, however, as he's now averaged nearly 5.0 yards per carry through Denver's first four games. While the presence of fellow rookie runner Phillip Lindsay -- who finished with 12 rushes for 69 yards and a score Monday -- continues to see Freeman split work, so far there's been enough production to go around the Broncos backfield.

Breida continues to deal with a shoulder injury, Joe Fann of the 49ers' official site reports.

Breida led all San Francisco running backs in offensive snaps with 38 (of 60) on Sunday versus the Chargers. Per coach Kyle Shanahan, a portion of those missed reps were the result of a lingering shoulder injury, which Breida sustained in the preseason opener on Aug. 9. Shanahan relayed Breida "should be alright," but upcoming injury reports should confirm as much. During the 49ers' Week 4 loss, fellow running backs Alfred Morris (14) and Raheem Mostert (one) were a distant second and third, respectively, in terms of snaps on offense.

Conner will remain the Steelers' starting running back for at least two more games, at which point Le'Veon Bell (contract) dispute) is expected to report to the team, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Bell has stayed away from the Steelers as his franchise tag remains unsigned, but there appears to be a deadline for the running back to return to the team's facility. Once he does, there's little doubt the ground game will revolve around Bell, who has typically left little more than scraps for his backups. For the next two games, though, Conner will lead the backfield, which has so far equated to 81 touches through four contests.

McNichols had two carries for four yards and played two snaps on offense in Sunday's loss to Houston.

It was surprising that he played at all after being promoted from the practice squad Friday. He got some playing time in due to Marlon Mack's absence due to a hamstring injury. However, McNichols likely won't be needed next week with Robert Turbin set to return from his season-opening suspension.

Wilkins had eight carries for 16 yards in Sunday's 37-34 overtime loss to Houston.

The Indianapolis rushing attack struggled as the team averaged just 2.4 yards per carry. Wilkins had the most carries of any running back and started with Marlon Mack (hamstring) out, but didn't do much with the opportunity. Wilkins' window to earn the bulk of carries may have closed with Robert Turbin set to return Thursday at New England after serving a four-game suspension. Mack could also be ready to return Week 5, and rookie Nyheim Hines had two touchdown receptions out of the backfield against Houston, further hindering Wilkins' outlook.

Mack (hamstring) was listed as limited on Monday's estimated injury report.

As he was a week ago, Mack was limited, but the Colts didn't actually hold a formal practice session Monday. His hamstring continues to nag him, and with a short week to prepare for a Thursday night visit to New England, his availability remains up in the air. If he's absent for a fourth time in five games, the Colts will rely on Nyheim Hines and -- to a lesser extent -- Jordan Wilkins to fuel the ground game.

Elliott dealt with knee bursitis and ankle soreness during Sunday's 26-24 win over Detroit, but coach Jason Garrett expects the running back to be fine this week, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Elliott didn't seem too bothered by the pair of minor injuries Sunday, piling up 152 yards on 25 carries along with 88 yards and a touchdown on four catches while playing through the final drive of the game. He may show up on the Week 5 injury report, but it doesn't sound like the Cowboys are worried about his availability for Sunday's game against the Texans.