NFL Player News

Ekeler (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

With Ekeler having now missed the Chargers' first two Week 3 practices, his activity at Friday's session will be crucial with regard to his chances of playing Sunday against the Vikings. If the running back remains out this weekend, Joshua Kelley would once again be in line to lead the Chargers backfield in Week 3.

Williams (hamstring) isn't taking part in practice Thursday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

After sitting out Wednesday's walk-through and going down as a non-participant on the Saints' estimated practice report, Williams doesn't look as though he'll take a step forward in terms of activity while New Orleans holds a more traditional practice session Thursday. The 28-year-old appears to be trending toward sitting out Sunday in Green Bay, with his likely absence leaving Kendre Miller, Tony Jones and Taysom Hill as the Saints' main ballcarriers for Week 3.

Sanders (pectoral) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Sanders' reps were capped for the second day in a row while he continues to nurse a pectoral injury that he may have picked up in Monday's 20-17 loss to the Saints. The running back should still be in good shape to play this weekend in Seattle if he continues to practice in some capacity Friday, though he could end up carrying a designation into Sunday. If Sanders ultimately gets the green light to play, he will likely be taking handoffs from a new quarterback in Andy Dalton, who is expected to start Week 3 with Bryce Young (ankle) considered unlikely to play.

Henry (toe), who was a limited participant Wednesday, didn't practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Henry's downgrade in practice participation makes the running back's status worth monitoring closely as Sunday's game against the Browns approaches. It's possible that Henry's absence was maintenance-related rather than indicative of a setback, but either way, Friday's injury report should provide added clarity with regard to his Week 3 status. If Henry is limited to any extent this weekend, Tyjae Spears and Julius Chestnut would be next up for added touches in the Titans backfield.

Scott (concussion) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Scott remains in the NFL's concussion protocol after he exited the Eagles' Week 2 win over the Vikings on Sept. 14. While the running back might have made progress through the five-step protocol on some level in the ensuing week, Scott evidently didn't show enough improvement to get back on the practice field. He'll have two more chances to fit in some practice activity and potentially clear the protocol before the Eagles will have to give him a designation for Monday's game at Tampa Bay.

Gainwell (rib) was spotted on the field for the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to the media, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

After sitting out the Eagles' Week 2 win over the Vikings on Sept. 14 due to a rib injury, Gainwell appears to have at least made some progress in his recovery. While the extent of his practice activity won't be known until the Eagles release their first official Week 3 injury report later Thursday, the fact that Gainwell is on the field in any capacity bodes well for his chances of playing Monday against the Buccaneers. Gainwell served as the Eagles' lead back in the team's season-opening win over the Patriots, but it's unclear how big of a role he might handle if he's fully cleared for Monday's contest. While Gainwell was sidelined Week 2, D'Andre Swift erupted for 28 carries for 175 yards and a touchdown to go with three catches for six yards. On the heels of the big performance, Swift may have made a case to poach work from Gainwell on both early downs and passing downs.

Pacheco (hamstring) was spotted on the field for the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Pacheco was sidelined for the Chiefs' first Week 3 practice Wednesday, but he looks poised to get in some work Thursday. The Chiefs will release their second practice report of the week later in the day, when it will become known whether Pacheco was a limited or full practice participant.

Hill (toe) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Hill is dealing with turf toe in the aftermath of the Ravens' 27-24 win over the Bengals this past Sunday, when he stepped into an expanded role sans J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) and finished with 53 total yards on 14 touches. Now missing from practice for the second day in a row to begin Week 3 prep, Hill's availability for this Sunday's game against the Colts appears to be uncertain. If Hill ends up sitting out this weekend, Gus Edwards would likely operate as the Ravens' clear top option on the ground, while Melvin Gordon and/or Kenyan Drake could be elevated from the practice squad to handle change-of-pace roles.

Cook (undisclosed) wasn't spotted during the open portion of Thursday's practice, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Cook wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, so it remains to be seen if the running back is dealing with an injury of some sort as Sunday's game against the Commanders approaches. Thursday's looming injury report will add some clarity on that front.

Montgomery (thigh) remained sidelined during Thursday's practice, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Montgomery also missed Wednesday's session, which sets the stage for Friday's practice to loom large for the running back in terms of his chances of suiting up Sunday versus the Falcons. If Montgomery is unavailable this weekend, Jahmyr Gibbs would be in a position to see added touches Week 3, with Craig Reynolds and Zonovan Knight on hand to serve as complementary options in Detroit's backfield.