NFL Player News

Spears (ankle), who currently is on injured reserve, is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Arizona, John Glennon of NashvillePost.com reports.

Spears sustained a high right-ankle sprain during the Titans' preseason opener on Aug. 9 and eventually was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return on Aug. 26. After missing the minimum four games on IR, he got back on the practice field Wednesday as a limited participant and has mixed into drills in the team's ensuing two sessions. Coach Brian Callahan told Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site on Friday that Spears had a good week of practice, but in order for the RB to play this weekend, Tennessee will need to activate him from IR by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Coach Dave Canales said Dowdle will start Sunday against the Dolphins with fellow RB Chuba Hubbard (calf) ruled out for the contest, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Hubbard wasn't able to practice this week due to a lingering calf injury, and while he'll be inactive this weekend, Canales labeled him "day-to-day," meaning Dowdle's time as the Panthers' No. 1 backfield option may be contained to one game. In reserve role this season, Dowdle has averaged 3.0 yards on his 28 carries, hauled in five of six targets for 20 yards and scored a rushing touchdown in four games. Having said that, he racked up 1,079 rushing yards last year as the Cowboys' primary RB, so he can handle a large workload if needed. Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas will be on hand for any reps that don't go to Dowdle.

Goodson (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.

Goodson, who sustained his groin injury during Week 4 action, didn't practice this week and now will target a potential return Sunday, Oct. 12 against the Cardinals. In Goodson's absence this weekend, DJ Giddens will back up Jonathan Taylor, with Ameer Abdullah and Ulysses Bentley representing possible practice-squad elevations.

Hubbard (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Hubbard played through a calf injury this past Sunday in New England but logged a season-low 51 percent snap share in the process. In the wake of that contest, he didn't practice at all this week, signaling that he was trending toward his first absence of the campaign. Rico Dowdle thus lines up to lead Carolina's backfield this weekend, with Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas also on hand for RB reps. Hubbard's next chance to suit up is Sunday, Oct. 12 versus the Cowboys.

Coach Todd Bowles officially ruled out Irving (foot/shoulder) for Sunday's game at Seattle, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Irving emerged from a Week 4 loss to the Eagles with a sprained right foot that forced him to don a walking boot and also crutches as a spectator at Wednesday's practice. Earlier Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported that Irving was unlikely to play Week 5, which now has been confirmed. The Buccaneers thus will roll with the combination of Rachaad White and Sean Tucker out of the backfield this weekend and perhaps beyond that point.

Coach Brian Daboll noted that Tracy (shoulder) is slated to practice Friday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Per the report, Tracy, who didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, is doing "a lot better," and the running back's status for Sunday's game against the Saints has yet to be determined. Added clarity on that front will arrive via the Giants' final Week 5 injury report Friday, but if Tracy is ultimately forced to miss another game, Cam Skattebo would continue to lead the team's backfield this weekend, with Devin Singletary on hand to work in a complementary role.

Coach Aaron Glenn revealed Friday that Allen (knee) is expected to miss 8-12 weeks, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Per Cimini, it hasn't yet been determined if Allen -- who was placed on IR on Thursday -- will undergo surgery on his knee or recover via rehab, but either way, the timetable estimate will remain in the 8-12 week range. In Allen's absence, Isaiah Davis, as well as newcomer Khalil Herbert and Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) -- when healthy -- are slated to work behind top back Breece Hall.

Irving (foot/shoulder) is expected to sit out Sunday's game against the Seahawks and is also in danger of missing the Buccaneers' Week 6 contest versus the 49ers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

On Wednesday, head coach Todd Bowles labeled Irving as day-to-day, even though the second-year back emerged from Week 4 action with a left foot sprain that confined him to a walking boot and required the aid of crutches to move about. Irving -- who is also nursing a more minor shoulder injury -- didn't practice in any fashion Wednesday or Thursday, and unless he's able to fit in some on-field work Friday, he'll likely be officially ruled out for Sunday's contest heading into the weekend. Rachaad White is likely poised to step in as the Buccaneers' lead back in Irving's absence, though Sean Tucker is also projected to see added work on the ground.

Dowdle is expected to serve as the Panthers' starting running back for Sunday's game against the Dolphins with Chuba Hubbard (calf) likely to be sidelined for the Week 5 contest, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Hubbard didn't take part in practices Wednesday and Thursday, and unless he takes a dramatic step forward in his activity Friday, he could be ruled out for Sunday's contest heading into the weekend. After signing a one-year, $2.75 million deal with Carolina in the offseason, Dowdle has served as Hubbard's top backup through the first four games, carrying 28 times for 83 yards (3.0 YPC) and a touchdown to go with five catches for 20 yards on six targets. Despite his poor efficiency so far with Carolina, Dowdle is coming off a 1,079-yard rushing season with Dallas and is likely to rank as the Panthers' preferred option out of the backfield ahead of fourth-round rookie Trevor Etienne, who has primarily served as a return specialist through the first four weeks and didn't see his first extended action on offense until garbage time of the Panthers' 42-13 loss to the Patriots last Sunday.

Hubbard (calf) is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.

After sitting out practices Wednesday and Thursday, Hubbard is trending toward being unavailable Sunday, an outcome that could be confirmed as soon as Friday, when the Panthers post their final Week 5 injury report. If Hubbard is indeed sidelined versus Miami, Rico Dowdle would likely be in line for a leading role out of the backfield, with Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas also on hand as depth options.