NFL Player News

Pierce (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Houston's lead back, Joe Mixon (ankle), didn't practice. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, head coach DeMeco Ryans expects Pierce to be back in action for Sunday's game against the Patriots after the third-year back missed each of the last four games. Assuming Pierce is available Week 6, a key role could be in the offing for him if Mixon remains sidelined. With Pierce and Mixon having missed multiple games, Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have been sharing Houston's backfield duties.

Stevenson didn't practice Wednesday due to a foot issue, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Stevenson briefly left this past Sunday's loss to the Dolphins with what was referred to as a calf injury, which he downplayed afterward. Evidently, Stevenson is past that issue, but the running back is now tending to a foot concern ahead of this weekend's game against the Texans. Stevenson has two more chances to practice ahead of the contest, but unless he upgrades to full participation by Friday, he'll head into Sunday with an injury designation.

McClellan (illness) was not listed on the Falcons' injury reports Wednesday.

McClellan was sidelined for the Falcons' Week 5 win over the Buccaneers due to an illness, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. The rookie running back from Alabama has yet to make his NFL debut after recording 180 carries for 890 yards and eight touchdowns during his final collegiate season.

Estime (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday, opening a 21-day window for him to be activated from injured reserve, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

The Broncos can place Estime back on the 53-man roster any time before Oct. 30, at which point he would revert to injured reserve for the rest of the season. He injured his ankle Week 1 and has now missed the minimum of four games, potentially opening the door for a third man to get involved in a backfield that's featured Javonte Williams as the lead runner and Jaleel McLaughlin in a supporting role. Both struggled earlier this season but have been more efficient with their touches in the past two games.

Moss (foot) didn't practice Wednesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

The Bengals are now labeling Moss' injury as a foot issue, after his departure late in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 41-38 overtime loss to the Ravens was initially attributed to ankle concern. He returned to the game not long after and even took a carry, but he didn't look right and was then pulled for good, leaving Chase Brown to dominate backfield snaps at the end of the fourth quarter and into overtime. Brown should get a huge workload if Moss isn't ready to face the Giants on Sunday.

Etienne (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Etienne was a limited participant all last week before taking 58 percent of snaps and nine touches in the first half of an eventual 37-34 win over the Colts. He aggravated his shoulder injury at some point along the way and then saw just three touches and a 17 percent snap share in the second half, with Tank Bigsby taking over as the lead runner en route to 128 total yards and two touchdowns. A limited practice to start Week 6 suggests Etienne should be able to play this Sunday against the Bears in London, but the combination of a lingering shoulder injury and Bigsby's emergence has dulled some of Etienne's fantasy appeal, even though few backs can match Etienne in terms of speed and explosiveness.

Ekeler practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday due to a heel injury.

Ekeler was productive in his return from a one-game absence this past Sunday against the Browns, turning eight touches into 97 yards from scrimmage while pacing Commanders running backs with a 49 percent snap share. Meanwhile, Brian Robinson ranked second in playing time among running backs due to a lingering knee injury, finishing with seven carries for 18 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson didn't practice Wednesday, but if he's able to increase his activity Thursday and/or Friday or if Ekeler remains slowed by the heel issue, Robinson could recapture a larger share of the snaps this Sunday in Baltimore.

Robinson (knee) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Robinson appears to be following a similar practice regimen this week as he did last week, when he managed just one limited session Friday. He was listed as questionable and was ultimately active for this past Sunday's win over the Browns, but he earned a season-low 34 percent snap share while working in tandem with Austin Ekeler (49 percent) and Jeremy McNichols (22 percent) out of the Commanders backfield. Robinson took advantage of his seven carries on his way to 18 yards and two touchdowns, while Ekeler (eight touches for 97 yards from scrimmage) and McNichols (seven carries for 44 yards and one touchdown) also produced useful stat lines for fantasy purposes. Robinson may need to get back to full participation by week's end in order to regain a majority share of Washington's backfield reps for Sunday's game at Baltimore.

Sermon didn't practice Wednesday due to a collarbone injury.

Lead back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) also remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice, after Sermon helped fill in for him during Sunday's 37-34 loss to the Jaguars while handling a season-high 16 touches. The statuses of both backs are thus worth tracking as this weekend's game against the Titans approaches, but for now, Tyler Goodson is the top healthy back on the Colts' active roster. The Colts also have Evan Hull and Trent Pennix on hand on the practice squad.

Warren (knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Head coach Mike Tomlin previously labeled Warren as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Raiders, but the running back's involvement in practice in some fashion a day later is at least a positive development. Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) has already been ruled out for Sunday, so Warren would return to a complementary role behind top back Najee Harris if Warren is able to make a surprise return in Las Vegas.