NFL Player News

Although he was granted a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, there is still a small chance Elliott could serve his suspension later in the season if his legal case is decided in November or December, Albert Breer of The MMQB reports.

The injunction and restraining order allow Elliott to continue playing while his lawsuit against the NFL plays out in court. The expectation is that the case won't be finished until after the season, but it's possible the process moves along a bit faster. This is still a best-case scenario for anyone who got Elliott at a discount after his suspension was first announced in mid-August. He'll start his season with a tough matchup against a Giants defense that limited him to 44 carries for 158 yards (3.6 average) and one catch for one yard in two matchups last year.

A judge has granted Elliott a temporary restraining order that will allow the running back to play for the Cowboys until his case is settled, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

With the lawsuit unlikely to reach a conclusion anytime soon, Elliott should be able to play the entire season, starting with Sunday's game against the Giants. It's a best-case scenario for anyone who drafted the second-year back, though dynasty-league owners may still have to deal with a suspension at some point down the road. Elliott had already been approved to play Week 1 while waiting for a ruling.

Coach Pete Carroll said Rawls (ankle) will be a game-day decision for Sunday's contest in Green Bay, Aron Yohannes of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Rawls didn't miss any practice time during the week, which normally would be a clear sign of availability for the upcoming game. However, the Seahawks are a bit unconventional with their handling of the injury reports, and Carroll's statement Friday is consistent with his previous remarks that Rawls is uncertain due to a high-ankle sprain. Rawls should thus be treated as truly questionable, with additional concerns surrounding the extent of his workload if he does in fact play. Eddie Lacy and C.J. Prosise are sure to be involved, and seventh-round rookie Chris Carson may even get some carries.

Zenner (back) is not listed on the final injury report for Sunday's game against Arizona.

Zeener was limited at Wednesday's practice, but he returned to full participation Thursday and Friday. He's unlikely to get many carries outside of goal-line/short-yardage situations, and even those may be up for grabs between him and Dwayne Washington.

Murray suggested that he isn't sure who will get goal-line carries, Andrew Krammer of The Star Tribune reports.

With Dalvin Cook sitting atop the depth chart and entering Week 1 as the lead back, goal-line work may represent Murray's only path to early-season fantasy relevance. He was one of the league's most effective goal-line backs last year, netting nine touchdowns on 16 carries from inside the 5-yard line, but it certainly helped that he was running behind Oakland's offensive line. Murray has never shown the type of power his 225-pound frame might seem to suggest, and Cook was a prolific touchdown scorer at FSU. Both are legitimate candidates for goal-line work in Monday's opener against the Saints.

Bolden did not record any snaps on offense in Thursday's 42-27 loss to the Chiefs, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.

Bolden is clearly behind Mike Gillislee, Rex Burkhead, James White and Dion Lewis in the Patriots' backfield pecking order, but his special teams prowess should lead to him being on the team's active roster on most weeks.

Gillislee was on the field for 24 out of the Patriots' 81 snaps on offense in Thursday's 42-27 loss to the Chiefs, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.

In the process, Gillislee logged a team-high 15 carries for 45 yards and a fantasy-friendly three TDs. Meanwhile, James White recorded 43 snaps and 10 carries for 38 yards; Rex Burkhead was on the field for 10 snaps and three carries, while Dion Lewis drew two carries on six snaps. The report notes that at halftime, Gillislee actually led the team with 17 snaps, but as the Chiefs built momentum in the game, the Patriots turned to the passing attack more, an example of how dependent on game plan and game flow the team's backfield is liable to be in any given week. What can be gleaned from Thursday's opener is that Gillislee is the Patriots' top power back. Given the team's other options at running back, the volume may not always be there for Gillislee, but his TD upside was on display in Week 1, though it's worth noting that there won't be too many game in which QB Tom Brady is held without a touchdown pass, as he was Thursday. The Patriots face the Saints on the road in Week 2, a tilt that has shootout potential.

Coach Jim Caldwell said Friday that Washington will be the team's primary kick returner, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

While Washington is not expected to play a crucial part in the Lions' run game this season, as he'll likely be nothing more than an occasional short-yardage back, he'll have the opportunity to be a key contributor on special teams. He returned two kicks for 46 yards in his rookie season with Detroit last year.

Gillislee rushed 15 times for 45 yards and three touchdowns in Thursday's 42-27 season-opening loss to the Chiefs.

On a surprisingly frustrating night for the Patriots offense overall, Gillislee was a bright spot, becoming the first player since Terrell Owens in 2004 to notch a trio of scores with his new team. The fourth-year running back posted a pair of two-yard runs and a one-yard plunge, a performance reminiscent of departed goal-line maven LeGarrette Blount. However, he was also stymied on fourth-and-inches from the Chiefs' 10-yard line, so he wasn't completely immune from New England's struggles in the surprising loss. He'll look to build on the rewarding fantasy effort in Week 2 against the Saints.

Zenner (back) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Zenner was never considered at much risk of sitting out Detroit's Week 1 tilt with Arizona, but after being upgraded from a limited participant in practice Wednesday to a full participant a day later, any lingering doubt about his status seems to have been eliminated. The 25-year-old is listed ahead of Dwayne Washington as the Lions' No. 3 back on the depth chart, but any edge Zenner holds over Washington as a short-yardage option is likely minimal.