NFL Player News

Sermon appears primed to start Sunday's divisional matchup against the Jaguars with Colts head coach Shane Steichen having announced Friday that Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is ruled out for Week 5, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Sermon, who rushed five times for eight yards during Indianapolis' win over the Steelers in Week 4, looks positioned for a significant workload as the Colts' top backfield option heading into a road matchup against Jacksonville. Tyler Goodson also will be a candidate to mix in, but he's handled only one touch (a two-yard catch against Green Bay in Week 2) in three appearances this season. Sermon, meanwhile, boasts the stature and skill set of a three-down back, and Indianapolis deployed him to the tune of 17 carries for 88 yards Week 15 of last season with Taylor sidelined.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Taylor (ankle) is ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Jaguars, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Taylor will miss at least one contest due to the right ankle sprain he sustained during Indianapolis' win over the Steelers in Week 4. The star running back didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, and he wasn't spotted at the portion of Friday's practice open to the media. Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson will be positioned to lead the Colts backfield until Taylor is healthy, with his next opportunity to retake the field coming Week 6 on the road against Tennessee.

Sanders (illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Chicago, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Sanders returned to full practice participation Friday after sitting out Thursday. He's had the same role each week this season, getting 5-to-7 carries and 2-to-4 targets on 31-42 percent snap share. Sanders figures to handle similar workloads until Jonathon Brooks (knee) is ready to return from the reserve/non-football injury list, which still may be a few weeks out given that the Panthers didn't open the rookie's practice window this week.

Pierce (hamstring) was present for Friday's practice, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pierce didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but his appearance during the early stage of Friday's session offers hope that he could be available Sunday against the Bills. Meanwhile, fellow RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is trending toward not playing this weekend, so if Pierce ends up suiting up versus Buffalo, he'd bolster a Houston backfield that's been led by Cam Akers over the team's last two contests.

Coach Dan Quinn said Friday that Robinson (knee) is "trending the right way" but will be a game-time decision Sunday against Cleveland, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Robinson's return to practice Friday gives him a chance to play, following absences Wednesday and Thursday. Backfield mate Austin Ekeler has cleared concussion protocol after missing Week 4, so one of the options for Washington is to have Robinson active but reduce his workload.

Ekeler cleared concussion protocol and will play against the Browns on Sunday, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

Meanwhile, backfield mate Brian Robinson (knee) is said to be "trending in the right direction" but could be headed for a game-time decision. A Robinson absence would set up Ekeler for his largest workload of the season, with Jeremy McNichols potentially also having a significant role again after filling in for Ekeler during last week's win at Arizona.

Taylor (ankle) wasn't spotted during the initial portion of Friday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Taylor, who is dealing with an ankle sprain, didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so his apparent absence early on Friday clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. The Colts' upcoming injury report is slated to confirm both Taylor's official participation level Friday as well as his Week 5 game status.

Singletary (groin) will return to practice Friday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

It gives him a shot to play this Sunday at Seattle. Singletary didn't have any apparent limitations in last Thursday's loss to Dallas, taking 69 percent of snaps on offense, but he's been held out of practice this week due to a groin injury. The Giants may try to get him more involved in the passing game if he ends up playing, as WR Malik Nabers (concussion) and his 38 percent target share have been ruled out for Week 5.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that Mostert (chest) could suit up Sunday versus New England on modified reps, depending on how much he's able to do in practice Friday, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Mostert has practiced in a limited capacity since his return to on-field activities Sept. 18, so it sounds like the veteran running back may need to handle a full session Friday in order to be cleared for Week 5. Even if given the green light to play in New England, though, it sounds like Mostert would remain on a snap count. McDaniel said the same for wide receiver Odell Beckham (knee), who resumed practicing Wednesday but has yet to be fully activated from the reserve/PUP list.

Robinson (knee) is present for Friday's practice and has his helmet, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

It appears Robinson will close out the week with some form of practice participation, after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. He thus has a chance to play Sunday against Cleveland, although an injury designation is likely in the wake of consecutive missed practices.