NFL Player News

Pierce (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Pierce opened Week 5 prep Wednesday as a limited practice participant, but his advancement to full activity a day later clears up any concern about the knee issue keeping him sidelined this Sunday at Atlanta. Though Pierce remains the Texans' lead back, he's perhaps shared more work than anticipated with top backup Devin Singletary through the first four weeks of the season. Even while he took on a season-high 24 carries in this past Sunday's 30-6 drubbing of the Steelers, Pierce still played fewer than 60 percent of the Texans' snaps on offense for the fourth game in a row.

Dowdle (hip) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Dowdle sat out Wednesday's session, but his return to full activity a day later suggests his absence for the Cowboys' first Week 5 practice may have been more precautionary than anything else. He looks like he'll be ready to go for Sunday's contest against the 49ers, but he could be in store for a lighter workload than normal with the Cowboys likely to lean more heavily on lead back Tony Pollard in a matchup between NFC heavyweights. Dowdle has carried 20 times for 80 scoreless yards through four games, though Dallas won three of those contests by 20 points or more.

Hill (foot/hamstring) remained limited in Thursday's practice, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Hill played just seven snaps in last week's win over the Browns, as Gus Edwards was in on 40 offensive plays as the lead back. Hill is averaging a mediocre 3.8 yards per carry on the year, totaling 22-83-2 as a rusher in three games. Back-to-back limited practices should put Hill in line to play Sunday against the Steelers.

Stevenson (thigh) remained limited at practice Thursday.

For the second straight day, Stevenson was one of 10 New England players to be deemed a limited practice participant. Unless Stevenson upgrades to full participation Friday, the team's lead back likely will approach Sunday's contest against the Saints with a Week 5 injury designation.

Mitchell (knee) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell missed the 49ers' Week 4 contest against the Cardinals and appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys. Jordan Mason played 15 percent of the offensive snaps behind Christian McCaffrey last Sunday and would be in line for RB2 duties once again if Mitchell can't play.

Ingram (neck) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Prior to sitting out Week 4 at San Francisco, Ingram didn't practice at all last Friday due to a neck injury. The issue kept him out of this Wednesday's session, too, but his return in some capacity one day later indicates he's made some progress through the health concern. Ultimately, Friday's injury report may clear up his status, one way or another, for Sunday's game against the Bengals. If Ingram is limited or sidelined, Emari Demercado likely will handle the handful of RB touches that don't go to starter James Conner.

Williams (quadricep) returned to practice Thursday, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Williams sat out Wednesday's practice, but his return to the field a day later bodes well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Jets. The Broncos' upcoming Thursday practice report will add further context on that front by clarifying whether the running back was a limited or full participant.

Brightwell (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

For the second straight day, Brightwell was unable to manage a full practice due to an ankle issue, the details of which still aren't totally clear at this point. With Saquon Barkley still working through an ankle injury of his own, the Giants' injury report Friday will be pivotal in forecasting who will be able to handle carries for them Sunday at Miami.

Taylor (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Taylor had been listed as a full participant for the team's first Week 5 session Wednesday, when the Colts opened his 21-day evaluation window for a return from the PUP list. However, since Indianapolis merely held a walk-through Wednesday, Taylor's ability to take every rep in a more traditional practice Thursday provided further confirmation that he's fully recovered from the right ankle surgery he underwent in late January. According to Stephen Holder of ESPN.com, Taylor implied that he's still committed to the Colts, despite putting in a request for a trade in August after not getting a contract extension offer to his liking earlier in the offseason. Taylor thus looks like he has a chance to play Sunday against the Titans, though the Colts may not provide clarity on that front until after Friday's practice or even until Saturday, the deadline for Indianapolis to make any additions to the 53-man roster for the team's Week 5 matchup.

Washington elevated Gore from its practice squad to the active roster ahead of Thursday's game versus the Bears.

Gore played six offensive snaps for the Commanders in Week 4, and with rookie Chris Rodriguez (illness) out again, Gore will get another chance to serve as the third option at running back. He didn't get any touches Sunday at Philadelphia, and he hasn't carried the ball during the regular season since 2021.