NFL Player News

Cunningham (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register reports.

The extent of Cunningham's injury is vague at this point in time. However, he isn't expected to miss Week 3.

Artis-Payne is in line for extended action due to the impending multi-game absence of Jonathan Stewart (hamstring), Connor Keith of the Panthers' official site reports.

Inactive for the first two games of the season, Artis-Payne was unable to profit when Stewart left the field for good in Week 2's win against the 49ers. Instead, Fozzy Whittaker was the prime beneficiary, picking up 16 carries for 100 yards and gathering in three of four passes for 31 yards, while Mike Tolbert turned nine rushes into 25 yards. At this stage of his career, Tolbert is likely best contained to regular fullback duties and goal-line touches, so Artis-Payne's primary competition for reps should be Whittaker. With the formidable Vikings' defense on tap Sunday, head coach Ron Rivera may be better served allowing the 5-foot-10, 220-pound Artis-Payne to take more of the pounding between the tackles, but the breakdown of snaps between Whittaker (5-foot-10, 205 pounds) and Artis-Payne may be more even than initially expected.

Although head coach Pete Carroll said Rawls (shin) would be limited at Wednesday's practice, the running back was in fact a non-participant, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

In the same pre-practice media session, Carroll relayed the nature of Rawls' injury, calling it "a little strain on the side of his leg." The result of a kick Rawls received in the second quarter Sunday in Los Angeles, he may have been called to the training room rather than the practice field Wednesday, especially after taking part in an earlier walkthrough. He'll have two more chances to make his presence felt at drills this week before the Seahawks' impart his potential availability for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Carey (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday.

With three carries and one reception on his game log through two legs of the season, Carey wouldn't appear to be a threat to starting running back Jeremy Langford, but the pair alternated series on Monday night against the Eagles until a hamstring injury knocked him from the contest. Carey's hopes of an increased role aren't necessarily dashed with a DNP to kick off Week 3 prep. Rather, an appearance at practice Thursday or Friday could ease the fear that he'll be present on the inactive list on Sunday night at Dallas.

Rawls (lower leg) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Danny O'Neil of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Brought along slowly in training camp and the preseason due to last December's season-ending fractured ankle, Rawls split RB duties with Christine Michael in the season opener but was named the starter in advance of Week 2. During the latter contest, Rawls was kicked in the lower leg, sustaining a contusion that ended his day. Head coach Pete Carroll doesn't consider the injury "serious," which would receive further credence with a full practice at some point before week's end. Although his availability for Sunday's game against the 49ers doesn't appear to be in question, the breakdown of snaps between Rawls and Michael will seemingly continue to be a quandary.

Mostert was promoted to the Bears' 53-man roster Wednesday, Scott Krinch of CSNChicago.com reports.

Mostert has appeared in 11 NFL regular season games with three teams after going undrafted in 2015. He has yet to record a rushing attempt, however, instead spending all of his time as a kick returner. He'll fill in the No. 4 spot at running back in Chicago behind Jeremy Langford, Ka'Deem Carey (hamstring) and Jordan Howard.

Coach Mike Zimmer relayed Wednesday that McKinnon is now slated to serve as the Vikings' starting running back, with Adrian Peterson set to undergo a knee procedure.

With Peterson out indefinitely, McKinnon is in line to head the Vikings' backfield, though Matt Asiata also figures to see added touches in the coming weeks, with Ronnie Hillman having been signed Wednesday to provide the team with added backfield depth.

McKinnon will start at running back this week against Carolina, head coach Mike Zimmer told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

With Adrian Peterson set to have knee surgery and expected to miss multiple games, the Vikings will turn to McKinnon and Matt Asiata. While McKinnon will start, it's not clear how the touches will be divided as Asiata has ten carries this season to McKinnon's three carries.

Hillman signed a contract with Minnesota.

Hillman's signing with the Vikings likely indicates they expect Adrian Peterson to miss several games or more. It's hard to see Hillman having a role initially as he'll add depth, but he could work his way into the rotation in a few weeks if Peterson remains out.

Washington will take over as the Lions' backup running back with Ameer Abdullah (foot) on injured reserve, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Washington played sparingly in the Lions' first two games, but he is set to move up the depth chart with Abdullah out at least the next eight weeks. Theo Riddick will be the Lions' primary running back, but Washington is a bigger back who already found paydirt from one yard out in Week 1, so he could see snaps in short-yardage and goal-line situations.