NFL Player News

Hill (foot/hamstring) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday,

Hill was nursing a foot injury heading into this past Sunday's 28-3 win over the Browns, and he appears to have picked up a hamstring injury in that game as well while taking on only three touches. Even if Hill is able to play through the injuries Sunday in Pittsburgh, he could face competition for touches behind Gus Edwards from rookie Keaton Mitchell (shoulder), who practiced fully Wednesday after being designated for return from injured reserve. The Ravens have 21 days to add Mitchell to the 53-man roster, though he could be a candidate to play as soon as this weekend.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said that Williams (hip) won't participate in Wednesday's practice, but the absence is precautionary, as the running back is expected to play Sunday versus the Eagles, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports

Williams is coming off a career-best performance that included 127 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns on 28 touches this past Sunday at Indianapolis. On Monday, McVay told Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site that Williams was tending to a bruised hip, which now is keeping him out of practice to kick off Week 5 prep. If McVay's comments Wednesday are taken at face value, Williams should mix into drills again Thursday and/or Friday, but there's a chance the second-year pro enters the weekend with a designation.

Mitchell (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mitchell barely played the first two weeks of the season and then suffered a knee injury when he picked up 13 touches in a 30-13 win over the Giants in Week 3. He missed the Week 4 win over Arizona and now appears in danger of missing Sunday's game against Dallas, though a report earlier this week suggested the Niners consider him day-to-day. In any case, lead back Christian McCaffrey is unlikely to come off the field much Sunday in a battle between NFC heavyweights.

Williams (hip) didn't practice Wednesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Williams suffered a hip flexor injury in this past Sunday's 31-28 win over the Bears, so the running back's status will be worth monitoring closely in advance of this weekend's contest against the Jets. If Williams is sidelined or available in only a limited capacity Week 5, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin would be in store for added reps out of the Denver backfield.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Wednesday that Gray will resume working as the team's primary punt returner in Week 5 against Miami, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

After Gray muffed a punt in the first quarter of Monday's loss to Seattle, New York turned to veteran cornerback Adoree' Jackson to work as the returner the rest of the way. Keeping Jackson in that role was likely off the table as a long-term solution given that he sprained his MCL while returning a punt last season and subsequently sat out seven games, and Daboll confirmed Wednesday that Gray won't be permanently demoted. The rookie running back has worked exclusively on special teams so far this season -- even with Saquon Barkley (ankle) missing the past two weeks -- and has yet to log an offensive snap in the NFL.

Stevenson was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a thigh injury, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

The fact that the running back was able to practice in any capacity to begin the week suggests he'll likely be available for Sunday's game against the Saints, but his activity in practices Thursday and Friday will be worth tracking nonetheless. In New England's Week 4 loss to the Cowboys, Stevenson logged 35 of a possible 55 snaps on offense, carrying 14 times for 30 yards and catching two passes for 10 yards. Meanwhile, fellow back Ezekiel Elliott played a season-high 40 percent of the snaps on offense, rushing six times for 16 yards and catching two of his three targets for six yards.

Brightwell was limited in practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

It was previously reported Wednesday by Bob Brookover of NJ.com that Brightwell was to be limited at practice Wednesday but without a specified reason. Salomone's report confirms those expectations were correct while also shedding some light on the cause, which is due to an ankle injury. Brightwell has seen his role grow over the last two weeks while Saquon Barkley recovers from a sprained ankle. If Barkley remains out and Brightwell recovers in time, he should see a continuance of that role Sunday against the Dolphins.

Taylor (ankle) was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

In light of his presence at Wednesday's walk-through session, the Colts have a 21-day window in which to activate the running back off the reserve/PUP list. As Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis notes, the Colts haven't ruled Taylor out from playing Sunday against the Titans, but head coach Shane Steichen suggested that the team will see how the running back fares in practices Thursday and Friday before deciding on his status. Either way, Taylor has seemingly moved past his ankle issue, but his relationship with the Colts organization remains a fluid situation in the wake of his previous request to be traded in August.

Harris was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to a neck injury, Chris Brown of the Bills Radio Network reports.

Despite playing fewer snaps (16) than fellow running backs James Cook (23) and Latavius Murray (19) in this past Sunday's 48-20 win over Miami, Harris is the only member of the backfield trio who appears on the Week 5 injury report. He'll have two more chances to increase his level of involvement in practice before the Bills decide whether Harris carries an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London.

Sanders (groin) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Sanders tended to a groin injury in training camp and the preseason, was affected by a pectoral issue during Week 3 prep and again had practice limitations last week due to a groin concern. Prior to this past Sunday's loss to the Vikings, his snap share ranged between 58 and 64 percent through the first three games, but it dropped to 43 percent Week 4 as he managed just 32 yards from scrimmage on 16 touches. Overall, Sanders is averaging only 2.9 yards on his 54 rushes this season, which may be the norm for him until he's able to get closer to 100 percent. The running back will have two more chances this week to prove his health.