NFL Player News

Barkley rushed 24 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns while corralling both of his targets for 23 yards and a third score in Friday's 34-29 win over Green Bay.

Barkley was worth every cent of his Week 1 salary after scoring a trio of touchdowns in his first game with Philadelphia after signing a three-year, $37.8 million contract this past offseason. The former Giants superstar dominated the backfield touches, ceding just one carry to backup Kenneth Gainwell. Barkley became the first player to hit pay dirt three times in a debut with the Eagles since legendary wide receiver Terrell Owens accomplished the feat in 2004.

Jacobs rushed 16 times for 84 yards and caught two of three targets for 20 yards in a 34-29 loss to the Eagles on Friday.

Jacobs started slowly, gaining just four yards on six carries in the first half. However, the Alabama product looked much more explosive after halftime, ripping off three runs of over 10 yards, including a 32-yarder early in the fourth period that helped set up a Green Bay field goal. It was an altogether promising first game as a Packer for Jacobs, who surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in three of his five campaigns with the Raiders.

Merriweather is active for Friday's game versus the Eagles in Brazil, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

Earlier Friday, Green Bay elevated Merriweather from the practice squad, and he now will be in uniform with the team opting to make rookie third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) inactive. Emanuel Wilson (hip) was limited in practice this week, and while he's available for RB reps behind starter Josh Jacobs, there's a chance Merriweather may see the first NFL action of his career. In three preseason games last month, Merriweather averaged 3.8 yards on his 26 carries.

McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) said Friday that he has no doubt he'll play Monday against the Jets, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

McCaffrey made the comment after being a limited practice participant Thursday and Friday, but he was less confident about handling his normal workload, merely responding, "I hope so," when reporters asked. While the playing time won't be entirely up to him, it sounds like McCaffrey isn't worried about missing Monday's game on account of the calf/Achilles injury that was initially reported the first week of August. He's been doing work on a side field since mid-August and rejoined practice with his teammates Tuesday.

Wilson (hip) is active for Friday's game against the Eagles in Brazil, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

There was no indication Wilson was tending to an injury before Week 1 prep, but the Packers capped his practice reps all week due to a hip issue before listing him as questionable. Now that he's active and rookie third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) isn't, Wilson should serve as the No. 2 RB behind starter Josh Jacobs for at least one contest. However, Green Bay elevated Ellis Merriweather from the practice squad Friday, meaning Wilson may be only an emergency option.

Lloyd (hamstring) is listed as inactive Friday against the Eagles in Brazil, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

Lloyd exited the Packers' preseason opener Aug. 10 at Cleveland due to a hamstring injury, which contained the rookie third-rounder to one limited practice (Thursday) during Week 1 prep. The lack of activity wasn't enough for him to make his NFL debut, leaving Emanuel Wilson (hip) and practice-squad elevation Ellis Merriweather as the available running backs behind starter Josh Jacobs. Lloyd will turn his focus to getting healthy for a Week 2 matchup with the Colts on Sunday, Sept. 15.

Guerendo (groin) remained limited in practice Friday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The rookie missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury and then hurt his groin in late August a week after returning to practice. With Christian McCaffrey (calf) on track to play and Guerendo having taken very few practice reps this summer, there's not much chance of Guerendo having a significant role Week 1 even if he ends up being healthy enough to play.

McCaffrey (calf) was a limited practice participant Friday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

He has just one more chance to progress to full participation before Monday's game against the Jets, but it does seem McCaffrey is on track to play after 49ers GM John Lynch made optimistic comments Friday morning, saying the running back is "doing great" and will "be out there and ready to go," per Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. The Niners listed McCaffrey as a limited participant Thursday as well, and he may end up being technically questionable even if the team expects him to play.

The Packers elevated Merriweather to their active roster Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The 25-year-old running back stuck around on the Packers' practice squad after failing to make the team's initial 53-man roster in late August, and he's now been elevated ahead of Green Bay's regular-season opener. Merriweather's elevation likely means that one or both of MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) and Emanuel Wilson (hip) won't suit up Friday night.

Hill had one carry for three yards and added six receptions for 52 yards on eight targets in Thursday's loss to the Chiefs.

Fantasy managers were surprised to see Hill actually out-snap Derrick Henry, 43-37. The Ravens were in a catch-up script for much of the game, however, and Hill's pass-catching chops and blitz pickup ability get him on the field in those scenarios. Henry will take on a larger share of the offense going forward, but Hill is positioned to be the passing-down back at least until Keaton Mitchell (knee) returns. With that, Hill may have some appeal for the time being in deeper leagues with full PPR scoring.