NFL Player News

Ekeler (ankle/personal) didn't practice Wednesday.

In addition to managing an ankle injury that he sustained during the Chargers' Week 1 loss to the Dolphins, Ekeler was also off the practice field Wednesday while he tended to a personal matter. Added context regarding the running back's status for Sunday's game against the Titans will arrive no later than Thursday's practice. Joshua Kelley would be next up for touches in the Chargers backfield this weekend backfield if Ekeler ends up sitting out.

Ogunbowale (hamstring) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.

Ogunbowale was unable to suit up for the team's season opener due to the injury; however, now that he's healthy, he'll have a chance to play Week 2 against the Colts. With Dameon Pierce, Devin Singletary and Mike Boone all ahead of him on the team's positional depth chart though, it's possible the Wisconsin product could be a healthy inactive.

Patterson (thigh) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Patterson was sidelined from around mid-August until last Wednesday due to a soft-tissue injury that the Falcons' Week 1 practice report later revealed as a thigh issue. He was a limited participant in all three sessions last week before being listed as questionable and then ultimately hitting the inactive list for this past Sunday's game against the Panthers. With an uncapped practice under his belt, Patterson should be set to handle his "Joker" role in Atlanta's offense, which will see him working all over the formation.

Spears (groin) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game versus the Chargers, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The exact nature of the injury he's dealing with isn't known, so it will be worth keeping an eye on Tennessee's Thursday and Friday injury reports for more clarity. If he misses time, Julius Chestnut will be in line to back up Derrick Henry.

Moss (arm) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.

Moss is on track to make his 2023 debut this Sunday against Houston and may jump right into a key role after fill-in starter Deon Jackson fumbled twice and gained just 28 yards on 18 touches and a spot in the doghouse in the Week 1 loss to the Jaguars. Also, Evan Hull (knee) suffered an injury that sent him to injured reserve. Jackson should still be involved, especially in passing situations, but a depth chart featuring him, Moss and Jake Funk leaves Moss as the favorite to get the most carries. Moss averaged 17.3 carries for 83.5 yards over the final four weeks of last season, albeit with only one touchdown and four catches for 12 yards. He likely would have started Week 1 against Jacksonville if he hadn't been finishing up his recovery from Aug. 1 surgery on a fractured arm.

Conner was limited at practice Wednesday due to a calf injury, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Conner easily paced the Cardinals backfield in the team's Week 1 loss at Washington, handling 84 percent (52 of 62) of the offensive snaps and turning 19 touches into 70 yards from scrimmage and no touchdowns. Meanwhile, backup Keaontay Ingram took on an 11 percent snap share en route to five carries for minus-4 yards. Conner is the clear-cut top back in Arizona, but his status now will be one to watch as the weekend approaches to get a sense of his availability for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Mostert didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, David Furones of the Sun Sentinel reports.

Mostert has a lengthy injury history, including knee injuries that limited him to one game in 2021 and bothered him for part of last season. His absence Wednesday was possibly a maintenance day after he served as Miami's lead back in the 36-34 win over the Chargers in Week 1 while taking on 12 touches and playing 72 percent of the snaps on offense. Fantasy managers relying on Mostert will hope to see him back on the practice field Thursday or Friday, which would clear up most of the concern about his availability for Sunday's game at New England. Salvon Ahmed was Mostert's primary backup in Week 1, but rookie third-round pick De'Von Achane (shoulder) was a full participant at practice Wednesday and could be called upon to make his NFL debut this weekend.

Penny likely will be active for Thursday's game against Minnesota after backfield mate Kenneth Gainwell (ribs) was ruled out for the contest, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

D'Andre Swift is the more desirable fantasy option in the Philadelphia backfield this week, despite logging just 27 percent of the offensive snaps off the bench and only two touches in the 25-20 win over New England in the season opener. Gainwell started that game, playing 62 percent of snaps and picking up 18 of the team's 22 running-back touches, but he came out of it with an injury that will keep him out for Week 2. Apart from the offseason acquisitions of Swift and Penny, the Eagles have another backfield option in longtime backup Boston Scott, who took two touches for 10 yards on a 13 percent snap share against New England. Since he was a healthy inactive for the Week 1 contest, Penny has seemingly fallen behind Gainwell and Swift, but Penny may still rank ahead of Scott, who may have been active as the third back against the Patriots to play special teams, where he logged 15 of his 22 snaps overall.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday that Swift is capable of handling a large workload, if needed, with Kenneth Gainwell (ribs) ruled out for Thursday's game against Minnesota, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Sirianni also said Swift will have games in which he's part of a rotation and others in which he has the opportunity to handle large workloads as the Eagles' lead back. While coming off the bench behind Gainwell in the Week 1 win over New England, Swift took on a 28 percent snap share and received just two touches. The absence of Gainwell for Week 2 removes one challenger for work from the equation, but Swift still carries risk nonetheless when it comes to his fantasy prospects. In addition to Swift, the Eagles are also expected to rely on Boston Scott -- who received two touches in the opener -- and quite possibly Rashaad Penny, a healthy scratch in Week 1.

Gainwell (ribs) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Vikings.

Gainwell was unable to practice at all during Week 2 prep due to a rib injury, and his absence Thursday will leave the Eagles backfield in the hands of D'Andre Swift, Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny. Philadelphia doesn't play again until Sept. 25 at Tampa Bay, so he'll have almost two weeks to rest and recover before the team next needs to make a decision on his availability.