NFL Player News

McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) remained limited at Thursday's practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

The waiting game continues for McCaffrey after he sat out Monday's win against the Jets due to a strained calf and Achilles tendinitis. The 49ers are more concerned about the second injury, but McCaffrey has looked like himself during the parts of recent practices open to the media. Still, even if he gets back to all activity Friday, McCaffrey seems like a good bet to enter the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game in Minnesota. If McCaffrey is inhibited or sidelined in that contest, Jordan Mason again would get the call at running back for the 49ers, with wide receiver Deebo Samuel also mixing in.

Wright is active for Thursday night's game against the Bills, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Wright was a healthy scratch Week 1, but he'll enter Miami's backfield mix Thursday with Raheem Mostert (chest) inactive. Meanwhile, De'Von Achane (ankle), who had been listed as questionable, is active and figures to see his share of touches in the absence of any setbacks, with Jeff Wilson also a candidate to see increased work versus Buffalo. With that in mind, it remains to be seen how many touches Wright will handle in his NFL regular-season debut, but the speedy fourth-round rookie does possess intriguing playmaking upside in Miami's offense.

Achane (ankle) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against the Bills.

Achane was listed as a non-participant on the Dolphins' first two posted practice reports following the team's 20-17 win over the Jaguars this past Sunday, but he was able return to the field for Wednesday's walkthrough and deemed a limited participant. With his active status versus Buffalo confirmed and fellow RB Raheem Mostert (chest) inactive, Achane -- who carried 10 times for 24 yards and a TD and had seven catches for 76 yards against Jacksonville -- should have an opportunity to play a key role in Miami's Week 2 game plan in the absence of any limitations or in-game setbacks. Also in the team's backfield mix Thursday are Jeff Wilson and speedy fourth-round rookie Jaylen Wright, with both players likely to mix in as Achane works through his ankle issue.

Watson is expected to be active for the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Steelers on Sunday after Audric Estime (ankle) was placed on injured reserve, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

The Broncos went with three running backs for the regular-season opener against the Seahawks, which left Watson as a healthy inactive behind Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Estime. With Estime set to miss at least the next four regular-season games while on IR, Watson will slide into the No. 3 role in the backfield behind Williams and McLaughlin for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. Watson played in all three of Denver's preseason games and turned 26 carries into 84 yards and one touchdown and added two catches for 46 yards.

Lloyd (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Dating back to last week, Lloyd has strung together three capped sessions in a row, but he continues to deal with the hamstring injury that has impacted him since Aug. 10. Friday's practice report may leave him with a designation ahead of Sunday's game versus the Colts, but the same could happen to the Packers' No. 1 RB Josh Jacobs, who has been limited this week by a back issue. Whoever among Jacobs, Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson are available this weekend has a good chance to see reps, with Malik Willis seemingly in line to be Green Bay's starting QB in place of Jordan Love (knee).

Pierce (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Pierce is a new addition to the injury report Thursday due to a hamstring issue. The extent of the backup running back's practice activity Friday will shed further light on his chances of playing Sunday night versus Chicago, as will his official injury designation for Week 2. Dare Ogunbowale, British Brooks and Cam Akers will be candidates for increased work behind starter Joe Mixon if Pierce misses any time.

Jacobs (back) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Jacobs has kicked off Week 2 prep with consecutive capped sessions due to a back issue, but there's been no indication that his status for Sunday's game against the Colts is in question. Still, his activity level will continue to be monitored, and his listing on Friday's practice report will be key for his odds to suit up this weekend. Assuming he's available, Jacobs could see heavy usage due to the fact that Jordan Love may not be able to play due to the MCL sprain that he suffered in the season opener.

McCaffrey (Achilles/calf) is in uniform and expected to participate in Thursday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

After practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday, McCaffrey looks poised to take reps for the second day in a row, but the extent of his participation won't be known until the 49ers release their second Week 2 injury report later Thursday. Inman notes that 49ers players aren't wearing full pads for Thursday's session, so McCaffrey may not be taking contact even if he increases his activity from Wednesday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier this week that McCaffrey was viewed as a long shot to play Sunday versus the Vikings, but the 49ers aren't yet ruling him out from being available in some capacity.

The Dolphins are not expected to place Mostert (chest), who has already been ruled out for Thursday's divisional matchup against the Bills, on injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Mostert will miss Week 2 due to a chest injury sustained in Miami's season-opening win over Jacksonville, but the veteran back doesn't appear to be dealing with a long-term issue. His next chance to play will come on the road against Seattle in Week 3, on Sunday, Sept. 22. Mostert didn't practice in any capacity leading up to his being ruled out against Buffalo, and in Week 1 he logged just six carries for nine yards, plus two catches for 10 yards (on three targets). If rookie fourth-round pick Jaylen Wright or veteran Jeff Wilson manages to truly impress with increased opportunity, fantasy managers may have difficulty being confident relying on on Mostert in starting lineups until he shows more of the upside he did in his 21-TD 2023 campaign.

Achane (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Bills, will have his availability determined based on how he fares in a pregame workout, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

After logging 17 touches in the Dolphins' Week 1 win over the Jaguars this past Sunday, Achane was listed as a non-participant on Miami's first two practice reports released Monday and Tuesday. He returned to the field for Wednesday's walk-through practice, albeit as a limited participant. Head coach Mike McDaniel termed Achane as a game-time decision prior to the practice session, but Rapoport relays that Dolphins came away encouraged by how the running back looked Wednesday and have optimism that he plays. Official word on Achane's status -- one way or the other -- won't arrive until the Dolphins release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. If Achane gets the green light to play, he should draw the start with Raheem Mostert (chest) already ruled out, though the Dolphins may not be keen on having Achane handle a heavy workload on a short week. Jeff Wilson and Jaylen Wright are on hand as depth options in the backfield and are likely to take on elevated roles Thursday.