NFL Player News

McKinnon (foot/lower leg) practiced fully Thursday, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com reports.

McKinnon followed up a limited showing last Wednesday with a no-show Thursday, but this week's limited practice to start the week was instead a smoke screen with Thursday's full session. As Adrian Peterson's primary backup, McKinnon won't be afforded many touches on a weekly basis due to a weak trickle-down effect. However, a handful of passing targets should be a consistent part of McKinnon's workload.

Barner did not practice on Thursday with a non-injury issue.

The specifics of Barner's absence have yet to be announced but look for more updates in the next couple of days. Until he returns to the field, look for Wendell Smallwood to see increased reps at practice.

Pressley expects to re-sign with the Packers next week, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Pressley was released this week with the Packers in need of a roster spot at another position, but it appears team and player have come to an agreement that he will rejoin the roster after spending one week off it.

Pressley was released by the Packers on Wednesday.

Pressley was a healthy scratch Week 1. His release opens one spot on the Packers' active roster.

McKinnon (foot/lower leg) was limited in practice Wednesday.

McKinnon's absence from the final game of exhibition season was clarified with his presence on the injury report last week due to a foot injury, which forced an absence from Thursday's drills. He was otherwise limited in practice, and active status in the season opener translated to one carry and one catch (on two targets), while earning 16 of the 63 offensive snaps. On this week's version of the injury report, "lower leg" joined "foot" as the reason for a cap in practice reps Wednesday, but there's no reason to believe he's in worse shape after one contest. In any case, the status of Adrian Peterson's (ankle) primary backup should be watched closely as the weekend draws closer.

Pead was not on the Dolphins' injury report Wednesday, Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post reports.

Pead had been dealing with a hamstring issue prior to Week 1, leading to his inactive status for Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. It appears he's healthier this week, but still may not suit up if the Dolphins proceed with less than five running backs. Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams are also candidates to provide depth in the backfield behind Arian Foster (hamstring) and Jay Ajayi.

Michael will serve as Thomas Rawls' backup for Sunday's game at Los Angeles, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio KJR reports.

Prior to Wednesday's practice, head coach Pete Carroll relayed the change in the pecking order at running back, announcing Rawls as the starter for Week 2. In spite of 30 less snaps (52 versus 22) than Michael in the season opener, Rawls nearly matched Michael's 17 touches with 15 of his own. With the role reversal, Rawls is clearly in line for a significant workload, but Russell Wilson's ankle injury may force the Seahawks to lean more heavily on the rushing attack. If such a game plan is implemented, Michael could still maintain a semblance of viability in most formats.

Head coach Pete Carroll named Rawls the Seahawks' starting running back for Sunday's game in Los Angeles, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio KJR reports.

The final phases of Rawls' rehabilitation from a broken ankle extended well into the preseason, allowing Christine Michael to stake a claim as the initial successor to Marshawn Lynch. Indeed, Michael got the nod in Week 1, but the duo's touches were nearly even -- Michael had 17 to Rawls' 15 -- despite Michael logging 52 snaps versus 22 for Rawls. Because the script will be flipped this weekend, Rawls could be in line for a significant workload, especially with Russell Wilson hobbled by an ankle injury at the moment.

Jones practiced in full Wednesday.

Jones spent the latter half of the preseason tending to a partially separated AC joint, but the rest and rehab afforded him during that stretch translated to an appearance in Week 1. Due to the imposing Steelers' offense on the other sideline, though, the Redskins were forced to ditch the run early in order to keep pace, which capped Jones to seven rushes for 24 yards and one catch (on one target) for nine yards. Backup running back Chris Thompson recorded Washington's only rushing score Sunday, which was likely circumstantial due to the no-huddle approach being used on their final scoring drive of the contest. With the Cowboys on the docket this Sunday, Jones will likely benefit from a more balanced approach.

Toussaint rushed for six yards on three carries in Monday's win over Washington.

Toussaint didn't top four touches until Week 17 last year, with Pittsburgh scraping near the bottom of the team's running back depth chart. Whether it's Le'Veon Bell or DeAngelo Williams, Pittsburgh tends to ride a single back, illustrated by Williams' 32-3 advantage in touches over Toussaint on Monday. Toussaint's touches will only evaporate further upon Bell's return.