NFL Player News

Williams sat out Wednesday's practice with a listed quadricep injury.

Williams exited the Broncos' Week 4 win over the Bears in the first half with what was originally cited as a hip flexor, but the team is labeling his injury differently three days later. Regardless, Williams' status for Sunday's game against the Jets is unclear, but the Broncos will see what, if anything, he's able to do Thursday and Friday before ruling on his status. If Williams is sidelined this weekend, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin would be in line to see expanded roles out of the backfield.

Pierce was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Pierce was on the field for 42 of Houston's 71 snaps on offense in this past Sunday's win over the Steelers, finishing with a season-high 24 carries for 81 yards to go along with one catch on two targets for 27 yards. Though Pierce's reps were capped Wednesday, the Texans haven't suggested that the running back is in danger of missing this weekend's game against the Falcons. Even so, Pierce will likely need to practice fully by Friday in order to head into the weekend without an injury designation.

Ingram (neck) didn't practice Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Ingram has yet to practice since showing up as a limited participant on last Thursday's injury report due to a neck issue. It's fair to wonder if a multi-game absence may be on tap as a result, but as long as Ingram is sidelined, undrafted rookie Emari Demercado will serve as the Cardinals' No. 2 running back behind top option James Conner.

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.