NFL Player News

Akers took first-team snaps at practices Wednesday and Thursday while Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) sat out both sessions, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

A healthy inactive Week 1 despite completing his recovery from the torn left Achilles' tendon he suffered last November without any setbacks, Akers could suddenly find himself in a leading role out of the backfield for a potent Houston offense two weeks later. As Wilson notes, the ankle injury that Mixon suffered in the second half of last Sunday's win over the Bears isn't regarded as a long-term concern, but the back-to-back absences at practice make it increasingly likely that he'll be sidelined for this weekend's game versus the Vikings. Wilson adds that Pierce is also close to a return after sitting out the Week 2 contest, but he appears to be trending toward missing another game this weekend. While serving as the No. 2 back behind Mixon in Week 2, Akers was productive with seven carries for 32 yards and one catch for three yards, though he lost a red-zone fumble in the win. If Mixon and Pierce are both sidelined Sunday in Minnesota, Akers should operate as Houston's lead ballcarrier, but he could cede some passing-down work to Dare Ogunbowale.

Bigsby (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Bigsby wore a non-contact jersey in Thursday's practice, per Harvey. The second-year pro sustained a shoulder injury against the Browns in Week 2, and though he managed to retake the field, that issue could be why Bigsby didn't play any offensive snaps versus Cleveland. Coach Doug Pederson said Thursday that Bigsby would play Monday against the Bills, but it sounds like the Jaguars will be careful with him at practice.

Jacobs (back) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Jacobs now has been listed as limited on five consecutive injury reports due to a lingering back issue, but the cap on his reps is merely precautionary, as evidenced by the running back racking up 32 carries for 151 yards during this past Sunday's win against the Colts. If last week is any indication, he'll be cleared once the Packers post their final report of Week 3 prep Friday.

Spears (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Spears, who didn't practice Wednesday, has expressed confidence that he'll be able to play Sunday against the Packers. Still, he'll probably need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid a Week 3 injury designation. Assuming the running back is available this weekend, offensive coordinator Nick Holz said Thursday that he hopes to get both Spears and Tony Pollard involved moving forward in a timeshare that could result in the two seeing close to even snap counts, according to Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site.

Wright carried five times for four yards in the Dolphins' 31-10 loss to the Bills in Week 2.

Wright played 18 of the Dolphins' 76 snaps on offense in the loss, but 10 of those snaps came in the fourth quarter, when the Bills already had the game well in hand. Though the absence of Raheem Mostert (chest) opened up an opportunity for Wright to suit up Thursday after he had been inactive for the Week 1 win over the Jaguars, the rookie fourth-round pick wasn't able to capture meaningful playing time while the Dolphins leaned heavily on De'Von Achane as their lead back and also sprinkled in Jeff Wilson (11 snaps). Mostert and Wilson (oblique) both opened the week as a limited participants in practice Wednesday, and it may take an absence from either of the two backs in order for Wright to suit up Sunday in Seattle.

Allgeier (hip) practiced in full Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Allgeier operated with a cap on his reps at Wednesday's session, but his return to all activity one day later paves the way for him to continue serving as Atlanta's No. 2 RB behind Bijan Robinson. Through two games, Allgeier has 13 touches to Robinson's 41, and so far the former is averaging 6.2 yards per carry on the campaign.

Spears (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Spears didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to the field a day later isn't surprising, given his previous assertion that he'd be available Sunday against the Packers, per John Glennon of NashvillePost.com. That notion would be further solidified if Spears is listed as a full participant in Thursday's session.

Strong (hamstring) is not practicing Thursday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Strong has missed back-to-back practices since suffering a hamstring injury during Cleveland's win over the Jaguars in Week 2. Coach Kevin Stefanski has labeled Strong week-to-week, so he looks like an unlikely candidate to return in time for Sunday's game against the Giants. When Strong manages to retake the field, he figures to resume working behind Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman in the Browns' backfield.

Pierce (hamstring) didn't participate in practice Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With both Pierce and Joe Mixon (ankle) poised to log back-to-back DNPs, what, if anything, they are able to do Friday will be telling with regard to their chances of facing the Vikings on Sunday. In the event that both are unavailable this weekend, Cam Akers would be in line to lead the Texans backfield versus Minnesota, according to Wilson.

Mixon (ankle) didn't participate in practice Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The same goes for top backup Dameon Pierce (hamstring), with both players also having been DNPs on Wednesday. As a result, the duo's status for Sunday's game against the Vikings is cloudy, and in the event that both Mixon and Pierce are unavailable this weekend, Cam Akers would be in line to step into an expanded role, according to Wilson.