NFL Player News

Edwards could have less competition for backfield snaps and touches Sunday against the Colts, as fellow running back Justice Hill (foot) has been ruled out.

Per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, Hill suffered a toe injury in practice during Week 3 prep. Through two weeks, Hill has notched 19 carries to Edwards' 18. While Edwards is expected to handle the bulk of the rushing attempts Sunday, veterans Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake are likely to spell him in passing situations, assuming both are elevated from the practice squad.

Williams (hamstring) wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of Friday's practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Williams thus is poised to go down as a non-participant for a third consecutive session due to the hamstring issue that he picked up Monday at Carolina, and the Saints may even clarify his status ahead of Sunday's game in Green Bay upon the release of Friday's injury report. If Williams is unable to go this weekend, some combination of Tony Jones, rookie Kendre Miller and practice-squad members Kirk Merritt and Jordan Mims will handle running back reps for New Orleans, with Taysom Hill also on hand for carries.

Hill (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Colts.

With Hill -- who didn't practice this week -- unavailable, look for Gus Edwards to lead the Ravens backfield Week 3, with practice-squad members Melvin Gordon and/or Kenyan Drake candidates to be elevated and handle complementary work versus Indianapolis. Hill's next chance to suit up for game action will arrive Week 4, when Baltimore faces Cleveland.

Jones (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

On Thursday, Jones made his first appearance in practice since hurting his left hamstring Week 1 at Chicago, getting a limited tag on the Packers' second Week 3 injury report. He'll now enter the weekend with a chance to play Sunday, with his status to e determined about 90 minutes before a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If Jones is limited or out, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor and Emanuel Wilson are Green Bay's other options out of the backfield.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said Friday that Akers isn't expected to suit up Sunday against the Chargers, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Given that he was dealt from L.A. to Minnesota on Wednesday and passed a physical Thursday, Akers didn't have much time to get up to speed with his new squad, despite his previous experience working with O'Connell on the Rams in 2020 and 2021. Akers thus will set his sights on making his Vikings debut Sunday, Oct. 1 at Carolina. In the meantime, Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler will lead Minnesota's backfield.

Swift got the first practice rep Friday when the Eagles were working on handoffs, followed by Kenneth Gainwell (ribs), Rashaad Penny and then Boston Scott (concussion), Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It doesn't necessarily mean much, especially relative to Swift rumbling for 175 yards and a touchdown in the 34-28 win over Minnesota last Thursday. Gainwell missed that game, and Scott left it early, allowing Swift to dominate the backfield work after recording only two touches on 19 snaps the week before. Swift now is the favorite to lead Philadelphia's backfield Monday in Tampa Bay, though probably not to the same extent as last week with Gainwell looking on track to return and Scott closing in on making his way out of the concussion protocol.

Henry (toe) returned to practice Friday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Henry was limited in Wednesday's practice before taking the day off Thursday. His return to practice Friday puts Henry on track to play Sunday against the Browns. The 29-year-old has rushed 40 times for 143 yards and one touchdown through two games while adding five catches for 71 yards on seven targets.

Ekeler (ankle) isn't expected to practice Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Ekeler, who was inactive Week 2, also missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, and the running back's expected absence Friday clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Vikings. If Ekeler remains out this weekend, Joshua Kelley would be in line to lead the Chargers' Week 3 backfield, with Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller in reserve.

Scott cleared concussion protocol and returned to practice Friday, Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Scott is thus set to play Monday in Tampa Bay, getting some help from the extra rest period after Philly's win over Minnesota last Thursday night. Scott left that game early with a concussion, while D'Andre Swift dominated backfield work en route to 175 rushing yards and Rashaad Penny mixed in only occasionally. The big question this week is whether Week 1 lead back Kenneth Gainwell can return from the rib injury that held him out Week 2. If so, Scott likely will be marginalized and Swift's workload will be much tougher to project.

Patterson (thigh) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Detroit.

Patterson wasn't listed on the injury report Wednesday but then missed practice Thursday and was limited Friday. He was removed from the report last week before being inactive for a win over Green Bay, with his absence from the lineup possibly having more to do with the Falcons not needing him than his health. Whatever the case, Patterson apparently is bothered by his thigh again and now appears uncertain to play Week 3 for multiple reasons.