NFL Player News

Hunt (shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday.

In his season debut with the Chiefs, Hunt logged a 45 percent snap share in the team's Week 4 win over the Chargers en route to carrying 14 times for 69 yards and adding two catches (on three targets) for 16 yards. As Monday night's game against the Saints approaches, Hunt's status now is worth tracking. If he's available versus New Orleans, Hunt figures to maintain a key role in Kansas City's Week 5 backfield, which also includes Samaje Perine and Carson Steele and could welcome back Clyde Edwards-Helaire from the from the reserve/non-football illness list.

Ekeler (concussion) practiced in full Thursday.

Ekeler returned to drills this week for the first time since he sustained a concussion Week 3, and he increased his activity level from limited Wednesday to all activity Thursday. Per John Keim of ESPN.com, Ekeler even was spotted without a yellow non-contact jersey Thursday, signaling that he's been cleared for contact. Still, Ekeler must gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to suit up Sunday in Seattle. Because Brian Robinson (knee) hasn't practiced this week, there's a chance Ekeler will take on a significant role this weekend, assuming he's active and the former is inhibited or sits out.

Robinson (knee) didn't practice Thursday.

Robinson has yet to take part in any drills this week as he tends to a knee injury, while top reserve RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) bumped up to a full participant Thursday. The Commanders will post their final practice report of the week Friday, at which point their respective listings may be telling for who among the duo may be available Sunday against the Browns. Robinson has dominated the Commanders backfield this season, earning 74 touches to Ekeler's 22 and Jeremy McNichols' 10. If Robinson is limited or even sidelined, an active Ekeler, McNichols and practice-squad members Chris Rodriguez, Michael Wiley and Kazmeir Allen would be the candidates to fill in for him.

Taylor (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

Taylor, who has missed two straight practices, noted Thursday that he's taking it "day by day" as Sunday's game against the Jaguars approaches, James Boyd of The Athletic reports. The running back now has one more chance to practice before the Colts issue their final Week 5 injury report, but if Taylor is limited or out this weekend, Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson are next up for backfield work.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said that Miller (hamstring) practiced Thursday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

With Miller making his return to practice for the first time since late July, the Saints will now have 21 days to evaluate him for reinstatement from injured reserve. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football previously reported last week that Miller was expected to be available for the Saints in Monday's game against the Chiefs, but Allen suggested that the running back is considered day-to-day. Allen added that the Saints will see how Miller looks during practices throughout the week before deciding on his status for the Week 5 contest.

Sanders didn't practice Thursday due to an illness, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Sanders wasn't listed on the Panthers' initial Week 5 injury report released Wednesday, so the illness is likely something that he picked up overnight. The running back's participation in Friday's session will likely provide a clearer indication of his potential availability for Sunday's game against the Bears. If Sanders cannot overcome his illness in time for Sunday, expect Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone to serve as the Panthers' top reserve running backs.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Edwards-Helaire was designated for return to practice Wednesday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Though Edwards-Helaire's 21-day evaluation window was opened Wednesday, he didn't take the field that day and instead made his return to practice Thursday for the Chiefs' first official Week 5 session. According to Derrick, Edwards-Helaire is scheduled to take part in scout-team work Thursday, and the running back's progress will be measured over the next few days before a determination is made on his availability for Monday's game against the Saints. Once activated from the reserve/non-football illness list, Edwards-Helaire could push for a role in a Kansas City backfield that currently includes Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine and Carson Steele while lead option Isiah Pacheco (fibula) is on injured reserve.

White (groin) isn't taking part in Thursday's practice, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Unless he fits in some work behind the scenes, White will take a step back in terms of activity after he was a limited participant in Wednesday's session due to the groin injury. The missed practice isn't an ideal development for White, whose starting job was already on notice after head coach Antonio Pierce said after Sunday's 20-16 win over the Browns that No. 2 back Alexander Mattison "deserved more reps," according to NFL.com. White leads the Raiders with 49 carries on the season, but he's averaging just 3.1 yards per tote.

The Ravens designated Ali (neck) for return to practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Ali remains on injured reserve, but now that he's set to practice, the Ravens will have 21 days to evaluate him before adding him to the 53-man roster. Assuming he experiences no setbacks with his neck injury while practicing, Ali will eventually provide the team with backfield depth behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill.

Robinson (knee) wasn't spotted at the open portion of Thursday's practice, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

If Robinson ends up being a non-participant for a second straight session, he'll have just one more day to test out the health of his knee before the Commanders potentially make a ruling on his status for Sunday's game against the Browns. Fellow RB Austin Ekeler is working his way through the concussion protocol, so Jeremy McNichols is the only healthy player at the position on the active roster, while Chris Rodriguez, Michael Wiley and Kazmeir Allen are the options on the practice squad.