NFL Player News

Walker (calf) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Browns, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

The Seahawks were apparently just being cautious when they held Walker out of practice Wednesday and Thursday with a minor calf injury. He has a bit more competition for playing time this week with backup Zach Charbonnet cleared to return from a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury, but the rookie's presence hadn't been stopping Walker from ranking among the league leaders in carries and rushing touchdowns through the first six weeks of the season. A tough Cleveland defense is probably the bigger concern for Walker's fantasy production, though Jonathan Taylor put up 120 yards and a touchdown against the Browns last week while working in a timeshare with fellow Colts running back Zack Moss.

The Dolphins list Mostert (ankle) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Despite carrying a designation into the weekend, Mostert told Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network earlier Friday that he will play Sunday. Mostert was a non-participant Wednesday in the Dolphins' first practice of the week, but he said he was merely dealing with a minor ankle tweak. Mostert returned to the field as a limited participant Thursday and Friday, with the back-to-back days of activity seemingly backing up the running back's own optimism about his health. Though Mostert should be ready to fill his typically starting role Sunday, he could end up taking on a lighter workload than usual, especially now that Jeff Wilson has had more time to get ramped up after he was limited to just seven snaps on offense in his return from injured reserve during last week's loss to the Eagles.

Brightwell (hamstring) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game versus the Jets, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Brightwell is in line to return from a three-game absence in Week 8. With Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida both also healthy headed into Sunday's game, Brightwell figures to settle into a reserve role.

Moss (elbow/heel) didn't practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Moss sandwiched a pair of absences from practices around Thursday's limited session. Even if he suits up Sunday against a Saints defense that's allowing just 98.7 rushing yards per game, Moss could see a workload reduction after he and Jonathan Taylor operated in a near-even split of the backfield snaps over the previous two weeks. Taylor had been expected to gradually take over the lead role, and Moss's injuries could speed up that process.

Jones (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Minnesota, though head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that the running back isn't at "100 percent, by any stretch," Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jones will play for a second straight week but may again be part of a timeshare or perhaps even the No. 2 option behind AJ Dillon, who had 17 touches for 95 yards in last Sunday's 19-17 loss to Denver. In Week 7, Jones took 11 touches for 57 yards, and while it's certainly possible his role expands this week against a division rival, there's also a chance Dillon gets more than half the snaps and carries again. It's a tough situation with no clear answers for fantasy managers rostering one or both of the Green Bay running backs.

McKinnon (groin) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos after practicing fully Friday.

McKinnon sandwiched a Thursday absence between a pair of full practices and will be available as Kansas City goes for a 17th consecutive head-to-head win against the Broncos. Denver has allowed the third-most receiving yards to running backs this season, so McKinnon's pass-catching skills could prove crucial in this matchup, even with Isiah Pacheco handling the majority of snaps out of Kansas City's backfield.

Barkley (elbow) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jets, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

The lack of an injury designation isn't particularly surprising after Barkley was able to return to last Sunday's win over the Commanders after hyperextending his elbow during the contest. He finished the game with an 83 percent snap share and 24 touches, after handling 79 percent of snaps and 28 touches the week before in a loss to Buffalo in his first game back from an ankle injury. Barkley should be busy again this Sunday and will once again have quarterback Tyrod Taylor alongside him in the backfield rather than Daniel Jones (neck).

Pierce said Friday that this season has been like another rookie year for him, but he currently feels "amazing" and believes the Texans are "really close" to establishing a successful running game, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pierce doesn't exactly sound frustrated; he appears to be acknowledging that he's had a tough adjustment period under new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who has overseen a productive offense overall under the leadership of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The running back didn't mention being frustrated with his role or usage, though fantasy managers have some cause for concern after Devin Singletary received just one fewer carry than Pierce (13 to 12) in Houston's final game before its Week 7 bye. Pierce likely will remain the starter this Sunday at Carolina and anticipates the Texans having a much more efficient rushing game during the second half of the season. A healthier offensive line certainly should help, especially relative to September, when the Texans often had three or four of their five preferred starters out of the lineup.

Montgomery (ribs) isn't practicing Friday, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.

With two straight absences to begin Week 8 prep, Montgomery appears to be trending toward missing a second straight game due to a rib cartilage injury. The Lions will wait and see what Montgomery is able to do Saturday -- if anything -- before handing him a designation for Monday's game against the Raiders. If Montgomery is once again sidelined Week 8, rookie Jahmyr Gibbs would be in line for another turn as the Lions' lead back.

Ford (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Ford "surprised" the Browns with how well he ran Thursday, and with the running back having tested his ankle out during Friday's practice, he now has a chance to play this weekend. Look for added context with regard to Ford's status to arrive prior to Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. If Ford ends up on the inactive list or is available to play in only a limited capacity, added backfield reps would be available for Kareem Hunt (thigh) and Pierre Strong.