NFL Player News

Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday.

With just three carries for 11 yards to date, Thompson is off the fantasy radar as long as both C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman remain healthy.

Texans' Jonathan Grimes (hamstring) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Grimes, who missed the last two games, is looking like he'll return for Week 6 against Jacksonville. His availability carries a bit of importance as top backup Alfred Blue (turf toe) was a non-participant Wednesday.

Browns running back Shaun Draughn (back) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Draughn has been buried behind Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson on the depth chart, so it's unlikely he would see much time on the field even if he was healthy enough to play. His practice status will likely dictate his availability for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Running back Raheem Mostert has been claimed on waivers by the Ravens.

With Lorenzo Taliaferro having been placed on IR by the Ravens, Mostert gives the team needed backfield depth behind Justin Forsett (who is dealing with an ankle injury) and Javorius Allen.

Running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) has been placed on IR by the Ravens.

In a corresponding move, the team claimed fellow RB Raheem Mostert on waivers, with the news on Taliaferro cementing the status of Javorius Allen as the Ravens' No. 2 back behind Justin Forsett, who is dealing with an ankle injury.

The depth chart posted Wednesday by the Chiefs, who have lost featured back Jamaal Charles, still lists Knile Davis ahead of Charcandrick West.

Mind you, West finished with 31 yards on seven carries while Davis carried the ball just twice in Week 5. Still, a committee approach utilizing both Davis and West figures to be the strategy going forward, beginning Sunday against Minnesota, according to NFL.com.

Taliaferro (foot) did not practice Wednesday, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Taliaferro's Week 6 status gains some import, with Justin Forsett dealing with an ankle injury in advance of Sunday's game against the 49ers. For now at least, Javorius Allen is the Ravens' healthiest backfield option.

Redskins running back Matt Jones was limited in Wednesday practice, after which he said that he's taking his sprained toe "day by day," reports Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic.

Jones is dealing with some discomfort, as expected, but his ability to take part in drills indicates that he shouldn't miss any time. Of greater concern is his production of late, as he's followed up a 100-yard outing in Week 2 with a measly 69 yards at a clip of 2.4 yards per carry.

Gus Bradley said Wednesday that Jaguars running back Bernard Pierce is going through concussion protocol, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The exact nature of the setback is not clear, but it leaves his status for Week 6 uncertain. It's not evident how much he will practice this week, but he will need to be cleared to take the field Sunday against the Texans.

Christine Michael could get the start at running back in Week 7 rather than Randle, ESPN Dallas reports.

The Cowboys are already switching quarterbacks during their bye week, and are apparently considering other major changes to the offense as well as they prepare to face the Giants next weekend. Randle has had a few big runs over the first five games but also plenty of negative yardage, and if he does give way to Michael his touches could dry up almost completely. The backfield picture should become clearer over the course of the week, but make sure you have Michael or another option stashed if you've been relying on Randle up to now.