NFL Player News

Ekeler (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Ekeler, who has missed two straight games, was able to log limited practices this week, but he's trending toward another absence Sunday. Given that the Chargers are on bye Week 5, look for the team to take a cautious approach and hold Ekeler out for another game before he likely makes his return from a high-ankle sprain for a Week 6 matchup with the Cowboys on Oct. 16. Assuming Ekeler is inactive this weekend, Joshua Kelley will continue to lead the team's backfield versus Las Vegas, with Isaiah Spiller and Elijah Dotson available to handle complementary snaps.

Hunt (ribs/groin) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Hunt missed Wednesday's practice, but limited participation in sessions Thursday and Friday was enough for the running back to get the green light for Sunday. With Jerome Ford (shoulder) also healthy heading into the Week 4 game, Hunt will likely remain relegated to splitting change-of-pace duties with Pierre Strong. Hunt is set to make his second appearance of the season for the Browns after playing 14 snaps last week against the Titans in his 2023 debut following Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury.

Barkley (ankle) was a limited practice participant Friday, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Barkley now has back-to-back LP tags under his belt as he tries to avoid a second game absence this Monday against Seattle. Wise or not, the Giants being 1-2 in a tough division may be a factor here, as players typically miss multiple games after suffering high-ankle sprains. The most likely outcome at this point is a 'questionable' tag on the final injury report Saturday, with Barkley then being viewed as a game-time decision ahead of the MNF kickoff.

Hill (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

After missing the Week 3 loss to the Colts, Hill sat out Wednesday's practice before upgrading to limited participation Thursday and then full activity Friday. While the full practice wasn't enough for Hill to avoid an injury designation, he looks likely to avoid the inactive list ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Gus Edwards is averaging a strong 5.0 yards per carry on 29 rushes this season, while Hill has struggled badly at 2.6 YPC on 19 attempts. If anything, Edwards has closed the gap or even passed Hill on the depth chart, though Hill should at least remain the Ravens' preferred pass-catching back.

Homer (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 4 game against the Broncos, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Homer has mainly played special teams as the Bears' third or fourth running back, seeing just two offensive snaps. If he would need to miss Week 4, Homer's absence wouldn't be felt on offense.

Taylor (ankle) has increased the intensity of his workouts and appears to be ready to return from the PUP list when first eligible Week 5, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor was placed on the PUP list prior to the start of the season while he continued to rehab his surgically repaired right ankle, but the running back might have opened the campaign on the 53-man roster had he not put in a request for a trade upon reporting to camp. The Colts ultimately granted Taylor permission to seek out a trade a couple weeks after he submitted his request, but the offers Indianapolis received from inquiring teams apparently weren't satisfactory. Now that Taylor is a month removed from landing on the PUP list, it's unclear where his relationship stands with the Colts, but the 24-year-old looks as though he could be ready to play Week 5, whether it's with Indianapolis or another team. That being said, if Taylor is unwilling to rejoin the Colts at the start of the upcoming week or if the Colts elect to delay his activation from the PUP list while re-engaging in trade talks, it's possible his 2023 debut comes at a later date.

Barkley (ankle) is practicing Friday, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

The report notes that Barkley was "moving pretty well" during individual drills in his second day back on the practice field. He returned Thursday as a limited participant and seems to be making a bid to play in Monday's game against Seattle, though it'll nonetheless be surprising if he upgrades from limited to full Friday.

Rodriguez (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Matthew Paras of The Washington Times reports.

Rodriguez was downgraded to DNP Thursday after being limited Wednesday. With Rodriguez on the shelf, Derrick Gore looks like a prime candidate to be promoted from the practice squad to fill RB3 duties behind Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson.

Sanders (groin) didn't practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Sanders appears truly questionable after failing to practice Friday following limited showings Wednesday and Thursday. If Sanders is inactive ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Chuba Hubbard would likely start and get most of the backfield snaps, with Raheem Blackshear being the only other back on the active roster while Tarik Cohen and Jashaun Corbin reside on the practice squad. For what it's worth, head coach Frank Reich said Friday that he's optimistic Sanders will play, according to Joe Person of The Athletic.

Reynolds did not record a carry during Thursday's win over Green Bay.

Reynolds logged one offensive snap and only made an impact returning kickoffs on special teams with David Montgomery back to carry the rushing load. Especially after proving to be more than a Montgomery injury away from a notable role, Reynolds has returned to fantasy irrelevance for the time being.