NFL Player News

Though Dolphins running back Jonas Gray (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald expects the running back to be available for the contest.

Gray, who returned to a limited practice Friday, recorded 49 rushing yards on nine carries against the Bills in Week 3, but given that he is banged up and that top back Lamar Miller -- who was listed as questionable last week -- enters the weekend healthy, Gray is not an especially high-percentage fantasy play in Week 4, assuming he does suit up for Sunday's 9:30 AM ET kickoff.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (knee) said his injury is only a nick, adding that he should be "perfect" for Sunday's game against the Panthers, the Tampa Tribune's Roy Cummings reports.

Martin doesn't seem at all worried, despite missing Thursday's practice. His official status for Sunday's game should be available shortly, and his statement hints at a 'probable' designation.

Buccaneers featured back Doug Martin (knee) practiced Friday, per Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

His level of participation has yet to be classified, but after having sat out Thursday, his return in any capacity bodes well for his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Panthers.

Dolphins running back Jonas Gray (calf) is considered questionable for the game Sunday against the Jets in London, per Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post.

Gray was limited in practice Wednesday, then outright missed practice Thursday, so it's not out of the question that he could be sidelined in Week 4.

Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro had three carries for 13 yards and one catch for 11 yards in Thursday's 23-20 overtime win over the Steelers.

Taliaferro still seems to be the preferred choice for goal-line and short-yardage work, but his grip on the No. 2 spot on the depth chart may be slipping. Rookie Javorius Allen had five carries for 19 yards, suggesting that he's more or less even with Taliaferro as co-No. 2 running backs. If lead back Justin Forsett were to suffer an injury, his two backups would likely both take on big roles, with Taliaferro more focused on inside running and goal-line/short-yardage situations, whereas Allen would get some of the early-down work and nearly all of the passing-down work.

Texans running back Jonathan Grimes (knee) did not practice for a second straight day Thursday, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Grimes has been dealing with the injury since last week, but managed to play 28 snaps in Week 3.

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, the Seahawks' official site reported.

The Seahawks' upcoming Monday night tilt has afforded Lynch additional time to recover, so his lack of activity won't deviate from the expectation to begin the week of prep. With two more chances to return to drills, he could clear up questions surrounding his Week 4 availability, which could come down to a game-time decision.

If he's handed his first DNP since the 2011 season, Fred Jackson and Thomas Rawls are present to man the backfield.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, the Cardinals' official site reports.

After Ellington put in a similar showing Wednesday, coach Bruce Arians relayed the running back's current limitations, stating, "He can go straight ahead real fast as always. It's just the turning and stopping a little bit."

Arians added that Ellington is "50-50" to play Sunday against the Rams, according to Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix, but his availability may be contingent upon an ability to handle cutting.

If Ellington is sidelined for a third consecutive contest, Chris Johnson and David Johnson would fill their respective roles out of the backfield yet again.

Lions running back Joique Bell (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

Neither the nature nor the extent of the ankle injury are known, placing a cloud over Bell's Week 4 viability.

Consequently, owners should keep a watchful eye on his activity level as the weekend approaches to get a better picture of the breakdown of snaps within the Lions' backfield.

Through three games, Bell has handled 31 percent of the offensive snaps versus 43 percent for rookie Ameer Abdullah.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin missed Thursday's practice due to a knee injury, but coach Lovie Smith expects the running back to "be OK," the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After sustaining the injury Wednesday, his lack of participation Thursday appears to be a precaution, as Smith expects Martin to return in some capacity Friday, according to the Buccaneers' official site.

Expect Martin's status to be clarified as the week draws to a close, but Charles Sims could be in line for additional work, if Martin is at all hampered Sunday against the Panthers.