NFL Player News

Taylor (ankle) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

While Taylor appears on track to be listed as DNP for the second straight day, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star relays that the running back indicated prior to practice that the "pain level has gone down tremendously" in his right ankle. Meanwhile, Taylor's top backup Trey Sermon (collarbone) didn't practice Wednesday but was present for Thursday's session.

Mixon (ankle) was present for practice Thursday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

After not practicing last week, Mixon also was a DNP on Wednesday, but his presence at Thursday's session offers hope that the running back could be available Sunday against the Patriots. The Texans' upcoming injury report will reveal the official participation level of both Mixon and Dameon Pierce (hamstring), the latter of whom was limited Wednesday.

Akers may not be the Texans' lead back Week 6 against the Patriots, if the report from Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston that Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is expected to play holds up over the next few days.

Pierce, who has been sidelined the last four games, practiced Wednesday in a limited fashion, but head coach DeMeco Ryans was optimistic about the running back's chances to play Sunday. "He's done a great job with his rehab process and he's back out working, so we're expecting to have him ready to go for the game," Ryans said. Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have shared the backfield snaps while both Pierce and Joe Mixon (ankle) were unavailable the last four weeks. Akers has posted modest numbers during that stretch, including a rushing touchdown, a receiving score and several red-zone touches.

White was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a foot injury.

White has yet to reach the end zone through five games this season, but he's at least been more efficient on the ground the last two contests, averaging 6.0 yards on his 20 carries. Rookie fourth-round pick Bucky Irving has been nearly as crisp all season, with 5.6 YPC and a touchdown on his 44 rushes. Now that White has made an appearance on the Buccaneers' first Week 6 practice report, his status will need to be watched as the week continues to get a sense of his odds to suit up Sunday at New Orleans.

Miller (hamstring) was listed as a full participant for Wednesday's walkthrough.

Though Miller was deemed a full participant in the Saints' final two practices for Week 5 and wasn't listed with a designation Saturday, the team downgraded him to doubtful Sunday and then ruled him out ahead of Monday's game at Kansas City. As of Wednesday, he's been without restrictions in three straight sessions, but the team still has two weeks to make a decision to activate him from injured reserve. He'll still have a chance to make his season debut this Sunday versus the Buccaneers, though the Saints would have to activate him by Saturday at 4 p.m. ET in order to be eligible to play.

White (groin) didn't practice Wednesday.

White missed this past Sunday's loss to the Broncos and could be at risk of missing a second straight contest if he's unable to increase his practice activity Thursday and Friday. If White is sidelined for this Sunday's matchup with the Steelers, Alexander Mattisonwould be in store for another turn as the Raiders' lead back, with Ameer Abdullah taking on an expanded change-of-pace role.

Edwards didn't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury.

Edwards' absence from practice comes as a surprise, considering that he wasn't known to be contending with an injury coming out of the Chargers' Week 4 loss to the Chiefs before the team went on bye for Week 5. He'll still have two more opportunities to increase his activity in practice, but if Edwards ends up missing this Sunday's game in Denver, Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal would be candidates to see complementary work behind top back J.K. Dobbins.

Chubb (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Chubb was a limited participant all of last week after the Browns opened his 21-day practice window Oct. 2. Head coach Kevin Stefanski isn't giving hints about whether the running back might actually be activated this week, merely saying "anything is possible," when he was asked Wednesday about Chubb's availability for the game at Philadelphia this Sunday, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Kamara didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough practice due to hip and hand injuries, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Kamara was listed with hip and rib issues on Saints injury reports for the past two games but still was able to suit up Weeks 4 and 5. While he handled 26 touches in Week 4 against Atlanta, he fell back to 17 touches Monday in Kansas City. Considering the Saints didn't hold a full practice to begin Week 6 prep, Kamara will have two more chances to prove his health before the team potentially tags him with a designation for Sunday's contest against the Buccaneers.

Strong (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Strong missed two games due to the hamstring injury prior to returning for the Week 5 loss to Washington. He received just one carry and one target in his return while also returning kickoffs on special teams. Jerome Ford is set to continue leading Cleveland backfield this Sunday against the Eagles, though if he's not slowed by the hamstring injury, Strong could be in position to serve as the No. 2 option. D'Onta Foreman has served as the primary complement to Ford this season but is nursing an ankle injury this week, while Nick Chubb (knee) has resumed practicing but is uncertain to be ready to make his 2024 debut Sunday.