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Jaylen Warren RB | PIT
Steelers' Jaylen Warren: Likely to get more work Week 3
Warren is expected to get more work in the running game in Sunday's contest in Las Vegas, Mike Garofolo of NFL Network reports.
Garofolo notes that head coach Mike Tomlin had already alluded to Warren picking up more snaps after the second-year back accounted for 86 yards on 10 touches (six carries, four receptions) in the Steelers' Week 2 win over the Browns. Through the first two contests, Warren has logged 12 total targets, but he now looks poised to cut into starter Najee Harris' workload on the ground in addition to continuing to serve as the Steelers' top pass-catching back. Garofolo relays that Harris is still "a big part" of the team's plans, so he'll likely remain the Steelers' top ballcarrier Week 3 even though he could cede a few more touches than usual to Warren.
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Isiah Pacheco RB | DET
Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Expected to face Bears
Pacheco (hamstring) is expected to suit up Sunday versus Chicago, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Pacheco is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's contest and was at one point considered a game-time decision, but he looks like he'll be on track to serve as the Chiefs' lead back for Week 3, barring any setbacks leading up to kickoff. Confirmation on Pacheco's status will arrive when the Chiefs release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the game's 4:25 p.m. ET start time. If indeed active, Pacheco could benefit from a favorable game script against a Chicago defense that has allowed 32.5 points per game through its first two contests.
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Isiah Pacheco RB | DET
Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Optimism about Week 3 status
Pacheco (hamstring) is deemed a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Bears, but the Chiefs are optimistic that he'll be able to suit up, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Pacheco's hamstring injury impacted his practice reps all week, keeping him sidelined Wednesday before he got in limited sessions Thursday and Friday. Still, he received a questionable tag entering the weekend. Kansas City doesn't kick things off until 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, so there will be less available running backs to pivot to if Pacheco ends up being inactive. The current in-house options are Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
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Xazavian Valladay RB | MIN
Xazavian Valladay: Rejoins Jets' practice squad
The Jets signed Valladay to their practice squad Saturday.
Valladay was let go by the Jets on Friday but rejoined their practice squad one day later. He'll continue to wait for his opportunity to join the active roster, though that may only come should an injury occur with Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook, Michael Carter or Israel Abanikanda.
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Dwayne Washington RB | DEN
Broncos' Dwayne Washington: Promoted to active roster
The Broncos elevated Washington to their active roster Saturday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.
Washington made his Broncos debut in Week 2 against the Commanders, and he played in 18 snaps on special teams. He'll likely resume that role for Denver's Week 3 bout against Miami on Sunday.
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Nick Chubb RB | HOU
Browns' Nick Chubb: Optimism about post-injury outlook
Chubb, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and won't return for the 2023 season, appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario regarding his left knee injury and could be ready to return to start next season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The gruesome knee injury Chubb suffered in Monday's loss to the Steelers looked to be something that could put the running back's status for this season and beyond in question, but there's growing sentiment that the four-time Pro Bowler avoided an ACL tear and dislocated knee and is instead dealing with a torn MCL. The Browns are expected to have further clarity regarding the recovery timeline after Chubb undergoes surgery to repair his knee next week, when doctors can assess the rest of the damage more closely. While a torn MCL is still a serious injury and is expected to entail a 6-to-8-month recovery, Chubb should have a good chance at being cleared ahead of training camp in 2024 if no other additional ligament damage is detected once he has his surgery.
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Kenyan Drake RB | GB
Ravens' Kenyan Drake: Bounces up to active roster
Drake was elevated to the Ravens' active roster ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Colts.
Drake and fellow practice-squad callup Melvin GordonJ.K. Dobbins (Achilles) and a problematic turf toe injury for Justice Hill, who will not play Sunday. Gus Edwards still remains the team's optimal thumper out of the backfield, but he's an unproven pass catcher. Both Drake and Gordon have had plenty of experience in the passing game throughout their careers, but it's unclear which of the two will ultimately become the team's situational spell back for Edwards.
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Melvin Gordon RB | BAL
Ravens' Melvin Gordon: Joins active roster
Gordon was elevated from the Ravens' practice squad Saturday.
This comes as no surprise given J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) is done for the season and Justice Hill (toe) has already been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup. This marks the second time Gordon has been elevated off the practice squad, but he ultimately didn't see any time in Week 2. That figures to change given the litany of injuries to the Ravens' backfield. It's possible both Gordon and fellow practice-squad callup, Kenyan Drake could spell expected starter Gus Edwards at times.
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Patrick Taylor RB | SF
Packers' Patrick Taylor: Elevated from practice squad
The Packers elevated Taylor to their active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints.
Since this is the third time that the Packers have called up Taylor from the practice squad, they will have to sign him to their roster if they wish to continue fielding him for the rest of the season. Taylor split snaps with Emanuel Wilson behind AJ Dillon in their 25-24 loss to the Falcons in Week 2. Taylor has registered six carries for 23 yards in two contests this season.