NFL Player News

Warren (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Warren had an MRI on Monday, with head coach Mike Tomlin later relaying Tuesday that he's unsure if the running back will play this Sunday against the Colts. In any case, Warren is averaging only 3.9 carries, 1.7 targets and 27.3 total yards per game while sharing backup work with Cordarrelle Patterson, leaving Najee Harris to get most of the work out of the backfield. The switch from Matt Canada to Arthur Smith at offensive coordinator seems to have been a positive development for the Steelers overall but a terrible one for Warren's fantasy value.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Ekeler (concussion) won't be available for Sunday's game at Arizona, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Ekeler was removed from Monday's win at Cincinnati due to a concussion, and Quinn revealed Tuesday that the running back also was dealing with a laceration to his ear, per Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site. With his lack of availability already confirmed for Week 4, Ekeler's next chance to suit up will come Oct. 6 against the Browns. In Ekeler's absence, Brian Robinson likely stands to handle a greater share of Washington's backfield, while Jeremy McNichols and practice-squad members Chris Rodriguez and Michael Wiley will be candidates to fill in behind Robinson.

Kamara won't practice Wednesday due to a rib injury and a hip pointer, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Kamara is nursing a pair of injuries on the heels of handling a massive workload in the Saints' loss to the Eagles this past Sunday, when he carried 26 times for 87 yards in addition to bringing in all three of his targets for 40 yards. He will have two more chances to increase his practice activity ahead of Sunday's divisional matchup against the Falcons. Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims are the Saints' top backfield options behind Kamara, though Taysom Hill (lung) -- who sat out the Week 3 loss -- will also factor into the mix for carries Sunday, if available.

The Broncos signed Badie off the practice squad Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Badie earned a permanent spot on the roster with an excellent performance in the Broncos' 26-7 win over the Buccaneers this past Sunday, when he carried nine times for 70 yards. That outing coupled with 16 rushing yards in Week 2 were enough to make Badie the team's leading rusher among running backs this season. He'll likely continue to work in a platoon with Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin in Week 4 against the Jets, and likely beyond.

Strong (hamstring) is not slated to practice Wednesday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Strong suffered the injury in Week 2 and has yet to play or practice with the team since. He'll likely need to get on the field Thursday in some form to have a chance to play Sunday against the Raiders. His current injury is compounded by Jerome Ford (knee) also missing practice Wednesday, leaving D'Onta Foreman and Gary Brightwell as the only healthy running backs currently on the Browns' roster.

Pierce (hamstring) isn't taking part in practice Wednesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Joe Mixon is also not involved in Wednesday's practice after sitting out a Week 3 loss at Minnesota with an ankle injury. Pierce missed the past two games after injuring his hamstring during a Week 2 practice, and the continued absences suggest he's in danger of missing a third straight game Saturday against Jacksonville, though Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported earlier Wednesday that Pierce is expected back this week. Cam Akers filled in as the starter and lead runner in the 34-7 loss to Minnesota, but he didn't get any snaps on third downs or in the fourth quarter, with the negative game script having a major impact on his workload.

Mixon (ankle) wasn't spotted on the field during the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Wilson suggested earlier Wednesday that Dameon Pierce (hamstring) may be closer to a return to action than Mixon, though neither running back was present for the start of the Texans' first Week 4 practice. While both backs were sidelined for this past Sunday's 34-7 loss to the Vikings, Cam Akers drew the start out of the backfield and finished with 21 yards on nine carries to go with one reception for an eight-yard touchdown.

Ford isn't expected to practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Ford played 53 of the Browns' 67 snaps on offense in this past Sunday's loss to the Giants, finishing with 10 carries for 37 yards and three catches for 33 yards in the contest. The Browns haven't revealed whether Ford's knee issue is anything that will affect his status for Week 4, but if he's unable to play Sunday against the Raiders, D'Onta Foreman would likely serve as Cleveland's lead option on the ground.

Williams played 14 snaps -- all on special teams -- in Monday's 38-33 loss to the Commanders.

Williams has been active for each of the Bengals' first three games, but he has yet to make his 2024 debut on offense while Cincinnati has turned to Zack Moss and Chase Brown to handle all the running-back snaps. His standing as a part-time kick returner and core member of the Bengals' special-teams coverage units should allow Williams to continue to suit up on a weekly basis, but he may not be guaranteed a substantial role out of the backfield even if one of Moss or Brown were to miss time.

Johnson carried three times for 18 yards and caught all three of his targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 47-10 win over the Jaguars.

Johnson ended up having his best statistical day of the young season Monday, seeing season highs in snap percentage (27), rushing yards (18), and targets (3). With that said, the veteran's statistics were not overly impressive, and his increased usage was likely the result of the Bills resting key players in the second half amid the blowout. Johnson's touchdown grab was his first trip to the end zone in 2024, but he likely won't earn many more scoring opportunities while lead back James Cook is healthy.