NFL Player News
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Gary Brightwell RB | CIN
Gary Brightwell: Reverts to practice squad
Brightwell reverted to the Bengals' practice squad Friday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Brightwell played six snaps on special teams in Thursday night's win over the Ravens and returned three kickoffs for 59 yards. He's now appeared in two games for Cincinnati this season.
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Kimani Vidal RB | LAC
Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Set for lead role again
Vidal will be the Chargers' top running back Sunday against the Raiders after Omarion Hampton (ankle) was ruled out for that contest, Eric Smith of the team's official site reports.
The Chargers designated Hampton for return from injured reserve Tuesday, and he proceeded to be limited on all three practice reports before the team made a ruling on his status for Week 13. With Hampton still sidelined, Vidal will lead L.A's backfield for a seventh straight game. In the first six, he combined for 103 touches for 450 yards from scrimmage and three total TDs. Because Vidal is the only RB on the active roster, some combination of Jaret Patterson, Amar Johnson and Trayveon Williams will be brought up from the practice squad by Saturday afternoon.
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Omarion Hampton RB | LAC
Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Ruled out for Week 13
Hampton (ankle) won't play Sunday against the Raiders, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Hampton, whose 21-day practice window was opened Tuesday, was limited at practice this week, but he won't be activated from IR ahead of Week 13 action and thus will target a potential return to the lineup Monday, Dec. 8 against the Eagles. In Hampton's continued absence, Kimani Vidal once again is in line to pace the Chargers backfield this weekend, with Trayveon Williams, Jaret Patterson and Amar Johnson all options to come up from the practice squad. Per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, Hampton revealed Wednesday that he is bouncing back from a left ankle fracture that he sustained Week 5, and the running back was sporting a yellow (non-contact) jersey in practice Friday, per Rhim. Meanwhile, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that "it was a good week" for Hampton, "really beneficial, ramping up. Everything's on track to return, (but) not this week."
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Kenneth Walker III RB | SEA
Seahawks' Kenneth Walker: Good to go
Walker (glute) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Minnesota, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.
He played through the same injury last week and handled a season-high 67 percent snap share, continuing a recent trend of Walker taking the lion's share of Seattle's backfield work. Zach Charbonnet took only six carries last week, but he remains a threat for both goal-line carries and passing-down snaps, which often forces Walker to earn his fantasy points the hard way.
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George Holani RB | SEA
Seahawks' George Holani: Ruled out for Week 13
Holani (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.
Holani didn't practice this week and is a candidate for injured reserve after he was hurt against Tennessee last Sunday. Rashid Shaheed and Cody White will likely continue to handle kickoff-return duties for the Seahawks.
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Emari Demercado RB | ARI
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Won't play Sunday
Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Demercado has yet to practice since sustaining a high-ankle sprain Week 11, but he was spotted working on the side with the rehab group at Friday's session, per Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. Demercado's next chance for game action is Sunday, Dec. 7 against the Rams, but at least for Week 13, Bam Knight (knee, questionable) and Michael Carter are the likely candidates for reps in the Cardinals backfield with Trey Benson (knee, IR) also ruled out.
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Bucky Irving RB | TB
Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Deemed questionable, should play
Irving (shoulder/foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Arizona, with the expectation that he'll return to action after logging full practices all week, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Irving won't necessarily return to his pre-injury role but should at least be back in the mix as a significant part of Tampa Bay's offense. His impressive fantasy production late last season and into this September makes him a viable lineup option in nearly any format despite workload uncertainty in the first game back from a two-month absence. Sean Tucker supplanted Rachaad White as the lead back during that time, potentially setting up a three-headed backfield now that Irving is expected to be active ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.
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Zonovan Knight RB | ARI
Cardinals' Bam Knight: Status in question for Week 13
Knight (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
With Trey Benson (knee) and Emari Demercado (ankle) ruled out for Week 13, Knight now is the only question mark among the Cardinals' running backs that are dealing with injuries. Knight's knee issue limited him in all three practices this week, and his status will be clarified about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Assuming he's able to suit up this weekend, he and Michael Carter likely will split the backfield reps in some fashion, but Jermar Jefferson also may be on hand for his first touch of the season.
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Devin Neal RB | NO
Saints' Devin Neal: Cleared to play, should start
Neal (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Miami, setting him up as the likely starter in place of Alvin Kamara (knee).
Kamara didn't practice at all this week and could miss time beyond Sunday, although Saints head coach Kellen Moore said the 30-year-old won't be placed on injured reserve, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports. Neal played 86 percent of snaps after Kamara's early departure last week, but that was with no other running backs active for a loss to the Falcons. This week, the Saints likely will have three RBs available, with Neal joined by Audric Estime, Evan Hull and/or Ian Wheeler (all currently on the practice squad). Neal figures to get most of the snaps and touches, but it won't necessarily be an every-down role again, and Taysom Hill also will get some of the carries.
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Alvin Kamara RB | NO
Saints' Alvin Kamara: Ruled out
Kamara (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, WWL's Jeff Novak reports.
Kamara predictably didn't practice this week after suffering an MCL sprain during last week's loss to Atlanta. Rookie Devin Neal (ankle) is expected to fill in as the lead back this Sunday, and perhaps beyond, though Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Friday that Kamara won't be placed on injured reserve, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football.