NFL Player News

Elliott is expected to see an increased role in the Patriots' backfield Sunday against the Cowboys, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

In the Patriots' Week 3 win over the Jets, Elliott logged 27 snaps and 16 carries for 80 yards, while Rhamondre Stevenson recorded 47 snaps and 19 carries for 59 yards. This time around, Rapoport suggests that Elliott could log "starter reps" versus his former team, though it's unclear if that means he'll take New England's first RB snap or if he'll simply be in line to see an uptick in touches in Week 4.

Mason is in line to serve as the 49ers' No. 2 running back Sunday against the Cardinals with Elijah Mitchell (knee) listed as questionable but not expected to be active for the contest, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

The 49ers are also expected to have Tyrion Davis-Price suit up for the first time this season after he was a healthy inactive for the first three games, but he'll likely be ticketed for the No. 3 role while Mason operates as the top backup to lead back Christian McCaffrey. Though McCaffrey should be poised to dominate the snaps and touches while the game is competitive, the 49ers are pegged as two-touchdown favorites by most sportsbooks, meaning that Mason could be in store for plenty of playing time in the event the game turns into a runaway. While both McCaffrey and Mitchell have been available for the first three weeks of the season, Mason's opportunities have been limited almost exclusively to special teams, though he did get three carries late in the 30-12 win over the Giants in Week 3.

Achane is expected to receive an increased workload in Sunday's game against the Bills while the Dolphins attempt to use him more frequently, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter doesn't go into specifics regarding what exactly Achane's workload will look like or if starter Raheem Mostert will lose snaps as a result, but the two backs may operate in more of a timeshare Week 4 after the rookie turned in a breakout performance in his second NFL game in last Sunday's 70-20 win over the Broncos. Though Mostert turned in a strong effort in his own right with four touchdowns and 142 yards on 20 touches (13 carries, seven receptions), Achane outdid him with four scores of his own to go with 203 yards on 18 carries and 30 yards on four catches. Even if Achane doesn't unseat Mostert as Miami's lead back, the Texas A&M product has seemingly moved ahead of Salvon Ahmed on the depth chart. Ahmed, who had served as the Dolphins' No. 2 back in Weeks 1 and 2 before sitting out the Week 3 win with a groin injury, is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest.

The Colts plan to open the 21-day practice window Wednesday for Taylor (ankle), who is fully healthy after opening the season on the PUP list, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report.

Taylor, who underwent surgery on his right ankle in January, was placed on the PUP list Aug. 29, with the transaction coming just weeks after the star running back had put in a request to be traded. The Colts ended up initiating trade discussions toward the end of the preseason, but after finding no offers to its liking, Indianapolis has since held no recent talks with teams regarding a deal. According to Rapoport and Pelissero, multiple teams are still interested in swinging a trade for Taylor and signing him to a contract extension in line with the NFL's top backs, but for now, the Colts' focus is getting the 24-year-old back on the field. In recent weeks, Taylor has been conducting his rehab at the team's facility, so he presumably plans on practicing and playing with the Colts even though he prefers to be dealt elsewhere. If Taylor puts in full practices Wednesday through Friday, he could have a chance at making his season debut as soon as next Sunday against the Titans, though the Colts would have until Week 8 to add him to the 53-man roster.

Mitchell (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, isn't expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

After being listed as a non-participant in Friday's practice due to a knee injury, Mitchell will likely be inactive for the contest, with resolution on his status set to arrive prior to Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. With Mitchell likely sitting out, Tyron Davis-Price will likely be active for the first time all season as the Niners' No. 3 running back, with Jordan Mason replacing Mitchell as Christian McCaffrey's top backup.

Patterson (thigh) is active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London.

Patterson will get the chance to make his 2023 debut after missing the Falcons' first three games while recovering from a thigh injury. Though he opened the 2022 campaign as the Falcons' starting running back, Patterson finds himself third on the depth chart this season behind standout first-round pick Bijan Robinson and second-year back Tyler Allgeier, who cleared 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie. As a result, the 32-year-old Patterson may not see much involvement on the ground in Week 4, but he's expected to step in as the Falcons' top kick returner while also filling a versatile "Joker" role on offense that could result in him lining up out of the backfield and as a receiver. It's unclear what kind of snap or touch count Patterson can expect Sunday.

Sanders (groin) is expected to play Sunday versus the Vikings, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Sanders missed Friday's practice with the groin injury and is officially listed as questionable, but the health concern doesn't look as though it'll be significant enough to prevent him from playing Sunday. The Panthers will make Sanders' status official when they release their inactive list roughly 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Last week versus Seattle with Andy Dalton under center and logging 58 pass attempts, Sanders had nine carries for 24 yards and a touchdown to go with five catches for 38 yards. The Panthers will get rookie No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young back from a one-game absence to start under center Week 4.

Chubb (knee, IR) underwent surgery to repair his torn MCL and meniscus Friday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

The Browns announced Friday's surgery also repaired damage to Chubb's medial capsule. The star running back was injured back in Week 2 and will require a second surgery "in the coming months" to repair his ACL, per Kelsey Russo of the team's official site. The team believes Chubb will be able to return to play "at some point" in 2024. Cleveland recently brought back Kareem Hunt to work with Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong in its backfield. Deon Jackson also signed with the practice squad.

The Broncos elevated Washington to the active roster Saturday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Since this is the third time the Broncos have called Washington up from the practice squad, the team will have to sign him to the active roster if it wishes to play him beyond Sunday's contest against the Bears. Washington has played 39 snaps in two contests -- all on special teams -- and is likely to reprise that role should he see the field in Week 4.

Clement was elevated to the Cardinals' active roster Saturday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

The move corresponds with Keaontay Ingram (neck) being listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the 49ers. If Ingram is ruled out, Clement could fill a depth backfield role behind James Conner and Emari Demercado.