NFL Player News

Brooks (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Brooks had been listed as questionable heading into the weekend, but his availability for Sunday was never in any peril after head coach Dave Canales said Friday that he running back was ready to make his NFL debut. A 2024 second-round pick out of Texas, Brooks missed the Panthers' first 10 games of the season while completing his recovery from a torn ACL suffered last November. He had been activated from the non-football injury list Nov. 6 and has been a full participant in practices for weeks, so Brooks should be capable of handling the top backup role behind starting running back Chuba Hubbard. Before landing on injured reserve this week, Miles Sanders (ankle) had been serving as Carolina's No. 2 option in the backfield and averaged 5.9 touches per contest, but given the draft capital invested in him, Brooks could match or surpass that level of usage, especially if the Panthers want to lighten Hubbard's workload a bit.

Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Vaughn will be a healthy scratch for the second time in the past three weeks, leaving Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott to handle the work in Dallas' backfield along with fullback Hunter Luepke. Vaughn has been inefficient as a ball carrier in his limited opportunities this season, gaining just 33 yards on 11 carries while adding 18 yards on three receptions.

Edwards-Helaire is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

With Edwards-Helaire inactive and Isiah Pacheco (ankle) still on IR, Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine and Carson Steele will handle the Chiefs' Week 12 backfield duties.

Swift (groin) is listed as active Sunday against the Vikings.

After logging a DNP on Wednesday due to a groin injury, Swift followed it up with a limited session Thursday and full participation Friday before the Bears deemed him questionable for Week 12 action. With his status now confirmed for Sunday's contest, he likely will pace Chicago's backfield, but the team could deploy a timeshare considering Swift handled 54 percent of snaps while fellow RB Roschon Johnson earned 44 percent during last Sunday's loss to the Packers. Nevertheless, Swift has averaged 19.2 touches per game over the last nine outings after taking a season-low 10 back in Week 1.

Swift (groin), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings, is trending toward playing, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Despite carrying a designation into the weekend, Swift's status doesn't look to be in much peril after he put in a full practice Friday. However, after playing north of 60 percent of the Bears' offensive snaps in six straight games, Swift dropped down to a 54 percent share in the Week 11 loss to the Packers, which paved the way for Roschon Johnson (44 percent share, 11 touches) to pick up more work. Assuming he's officially cleared to play when the Bears release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Swift should be on track to start, but because he's coming off the ankle injury, he could once again be deployed as more of an Option 1A out of the backfield than a true three-down workhorse.

The Raiders elevated McCormick from the practice squad Saturday.

With both Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadriceps) listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos, there's a path for McCormick to potentially see playing time in Week 12. Ameer Abdullah and rookie Dylan Laube are viewed as the favorites for backfield snaps should Mattison and White not gain clearance to play. McCormick's next offensive snap will be his first in the NFL.

Hill (concussion protocol) doesn't have an injury designation heading into Monday's clash against the Chargers, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Hill began the week with a limited practice while in concussion protocol but was able to log a full practice Friday. He was then estimated as a full participant again in Saturday's walkthrough. As such, Hill will be able to suit up against the Chargers, and he'll likely continue to work as Baltimore's top kickoff returner as well as its change-of-pace back behind Derrick Henry.

The Panthers placed Sanders (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday.

Sanders had already been ruled out for Sunday's Week 12 game against Kansas City after spraining his ankle against the Giants in Week 10 prior to Carolina's Week 11 bye. He wasn't able to practice at all this week, and his move to IR means Sanders won't be eligible to return to game action until Sunday, Dec. 22 versus Arizona. His absence comes as rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) appears set to make his NFL debut Sunday while serving as the Panthers' No. 2 back behind Chuba Hubbard.

Hill (concussion protocol) practiced fully Friday.

Per the Ravens' injury report, Hill still is listed in the NFL's concussion protocol, but the running back's ability to work fully Friday bodes well for his chances of being cleared for Monday night's game against the Chargers. If, however, Hill has any setbacks and is unable to completely progress through the protocol, Keaton Mitchell and Rasheen Ali would be candidates to see added snaps behind top back Derrick Henry in Week 12.

Luepke (calf) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Commanders, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Luepke appeared to be in jeopardy of the missing the Week 12 divisional matchup after opening the Cowboys' week of practice with an estimated DNP. However, he practiced in a limited capacity Thursday before logging a full session Friday, indicating that he's recovered from his calf injury. Expect the second-year pro from North Dakota State to serve as Dallas' top fullback Sunday.