NFL Player News

The Commanders downgraded Rodriguez (illness) from questionable to out ahead of Thursday's game against the Bears.

Washington listed Rodriguez as a limited practice participant throughout the week while he battled the illness, and the rookie out of Kentucky ultimately didn't make enough progress as the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff approached for the team to feel comfortable activating him for Thursday. The Commanders elevated Derrick Gore from the practice squad and could make him active for Thursday's contest as a third option out of the backfield behind Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson.

Sanders (groin) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

For the third week in a row, Sanders is opening gameday prep with two straight limited practices, though he had been managing a pectoral injury Week 3 and has been tending to a groin issue for the past two weeks. Last week, Sanders sat out Friday's practice and took a questionable tag into Sunday, but he ultimately suited up in Carolina's loss to Tampa Bay while handling a season-low 43 percent snap share. If Sanders is able to practice in at least some fashion Friday, he could head into Sunday's game at Detroit without a designation, and he might also be in store for a higher snap share.

Harris (neck) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Harris opened Week 5 prep as a limited participant Wednesday, but the running back's upgrade in activity a day later paves the way for him to be available for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London. While sharing complementary duties with Latavius Murray behind lead back James Cook through the Bills' first four games, Harris has recorded 19 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown to go with two catches for 16 yards. As long as Cook is healthy and continues to lead the way in Buffalo's backfield, Harris' weekly fantasy upside is modest.

Williams signed with the Cardinals' practice squad Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Williams hasn't seen consistent NFL action since his stint with the Bears in 2021 and is probably best remembered for his two seasons with the Chiefs in 2018 and 2019. The 31-year-old spent time with the Raiders in August, but he was unable to make their 53-man roster and has remained a free agent since. He'll give Arizona some extra organizational depth at running back while Keaontay Ingram continues to recover from a neck injury.

Head coach Brian Daboll said Barkley (ankle) will remain a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Barkley will get a limited listing for the fifth consecutive practice report after having not played since suffering a right high-ankle sprain in the Giants' Sept. 17 win over Arizona. Though Daboll suggested Wednesday that Barkley is making good progress in his recovery from the injury, the running back may need to return to full participation in practice Friday in order for the Giants to feel comfortable using him Sunday in Miami. If the Giants opt to hold Barkley out for a third straight game, Matt Breida would be in store for another turn as the team's lead back.

Taylor said Thursday that he's 100 percent recovered from the right ankle surgery he underwent in late January, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

After having his 21-day window for a return from the reserve/PUP list opened Wednesday, Taylor was deemed a full participant in the team's walk-through session to kick off Week 5 prep. According to Boyd, Taylor declined to comment on his contract situation and previous trade request Thursday, but Stephen Holder of ESPN.com relays that the running back said, "If somebody wasn't committed, they wouldn't be here." With that in mind, Taylor looks set to practice fully Thursday and Friday, after which the Colts should provide clarity on whether he'll be activated ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans. If cleared to play Sunday, Taylor would likely replace Zack Moss as the team's lead back, though Taylor's workload could be more limited than usual for what would be his first game action since Dec. 17, 2022.

The Broncos promoted Washington from their practice squad to the active roster Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Washington will now join the Broncos' active roster as Javonte Williams (hip) is expected to miss time. The 29-year-old will likely have most of his snaps come on special teams but could still see some playing time on offense behind Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin.

Williams sat out Wednesday's practice with a listed quadricep injury.

Williams exited the Broncos' Week 4 win over the Bears in the first half with what was originally cited as a hip flexor, but the team is labeling his injury differently three days later. Regardless, Williams' status for Sunday's game against the Jets is unclear, but the Broncos will see what, if anything, he's able to do Thursday and Friday before ruling on his status. If Williams is sidelined this weekend, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin would be in line to see expanded roles out of the backfield.

Pierce was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Pierce was on the field for 42 of Houston's 71 snaps on offense in this past Sunday's win over the Steelers, finishing with a season-high 24 carries for 81 yards to go along with one catch on two targets for 27 yards. Though Pierce's reps were capped Wednesday, the Texans haven't suggested that the running back is in danger of missing this weekend's game against the Falcons. Even so, Pierce will likely need to practice fully by Friday in order to head into the weekend without an injury designation.

Ingram (neck) didn't practice Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Ingram has yet to practice since showing up as a limited participant on last Thursday's injury report due to a neck issue. It's fair to wonder if a multi-game absence may be on tap as a result, but as long as Ingram is sidelined, undrafted rookie Emari Demercado will serve as the Cardinals' No. 2 running back behind top option James Conner.