NFL Player News

Pacheco (knee) is slated to practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Pacheco last saw game action in Week 8, but the running back's looming return to practice has him trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Colts approaches. The Chiefs' upcoming practice report will clarify Pacheco's official participation level Wednesday after he missed six consecutive sessions dating back to Week 9.

Interim head coach Mike Kafka confirmed that Gray (knee) will be designated to return from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

The third-year pro from Oklahoma has missed all 11 of the Giants' games this season after tearing his MCL in the spring, but it now appears that he's nearing a return. Gray now has 21 days to be added to New York's active roster before reverting to the reserve/PUP list. Once fully healthy, he could see touches in a crowded Giants' backfield, especially with Cam Skattebo (ankle) sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Irving (shoulder/foot) is "ramping up" his reps at practice to test his availability for Sunday's game against the Rams, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Irving managed to return to practice as a limited participant in Week 11, so it's possible he'll upgrade to 'full' reps ahead of Sunday's road matchup. As Smith notes, the extent of Irving's on-field activity Thursday and Friday will be most telling. The second-year pro hasn't played since Week 4 due to a shoulder subluxation and also a sprained left foot, and it remains possible that he's eased in upon being cleared to return to the lineup. Rachaad White had led Tampa Bay's backfield during the majority of Irving's time on the sideline, though in Week 11 it was Sean Tucker who broke out with 140 yards from scrimmage and three total TDs.

Knight could be positioned for increased opportunities Sunday versus the Jaguars with Emari Demercado (ankle) ruled out, though the Cardinals have also designated Trey Benson (knee) for a return to practice from IR, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Knight will be the favorite to lead the Cardinals' backfield in a committee with Michael Carter versus Jacksonville if both Demercado and Benson are unavailable. If Benson is able to come off IR and plays in Week 12, however, he will stand to either step into the No. 1 role or force a true three-headed approach alongside Knight and Carter. As such, Knight remains worthy of a roster spot in most fantasy formats, but his actual upside for Week 12 may not become clear until Arizona has had a chance to monitor Benson at practice.

Jacobs (knee) will not practice Wednesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Matt LaFleur declined to rule Jacobs out for Sunday's game against the Vikings, calling his injury a "day-by-day thing," per Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site. The starting running back is nursing a knee contusion suffered during Green Bay's win over the Giants in Week 11. Emanuel Wilson will be in line to start Week 12 if Jacobs is unable to play, though given the blitz-heavy nature of Minnesota's defense, change-of-pace back Chris Brooks will also be a candidate to see an uptick in fantasy-friendly opportunities.

Davis reverted to the Cowboys' practice squad Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.

The Florida product has operated as the Cowboys' No. 2 running back in each of the team's last two games, rushing five times for 23 yards while rookie Jaydon Blue has been a healthy scratch. It's likely that Davis will return to Dallas' active roster before the team's Week 12 matchup against the Eagles.

The Cardinals are opening up Benson's(knee) 21-day practice window, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

When asked whether Benson -- who remains on IR -- could play Sunday against the Jaguars, coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday that the Cardinals will evaluate the running back "day-by-day." Benson last saw game action in Week 4, but when the 2024 third-rounder is deemed ready to return to the lineup, he'll be positioned to reclaim his role as Arizona's lead back. With Emari Demercado (ankle) already having been ruled out against Jacksonville, Bam Knight and Michael Carter are currently the team's top healthy RB options, but help could be on the way in the form of Benson.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday that Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Demercado will miss Week 12 while recovering from a high-ankle sprain, while Gannon also confirmed that running back Trey Benson (knee) will have his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday. It remains to be seen if Benson will be a realistic candidate to return in time to face Jacksonville on Sunday, however. In the event that Benson is unavailable again alongside Demercado, a combination of Bam Knight and Michael Carter will be positioned to lead Arizona's backfield.

Laube went without a touch while playing one snap on offense and gained 94 yards on four kickoff returns in Monday's 33-16 loss to the Cowboys.

For the first time since Week 7, Laube saw action on offense, but he went unused while Ashton Jeanty and Raheem Mostert took on all of the opportunities out of the backfield. While Laube will likely remain active as the Raiders' No. 3 back in future weeks, he'll continue to see the overwhelming share of his playing time on special teams.

Smith caught two of three targets for eight yards and failed to record a single rushing attempt in Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Broncos.

Smith continued his role as the de facto No. 2 running back in Week 11 with Isiah Pacheco (knee) sidelined, but he was not a major part of the Chiefs' offensive plans in the contest. The rookie played 12 of Kansas City's 70 offensive snaps, while teammate Kareem Hunt dominated the backfield snap share with 56 snaps. Week 11 marked just the third time this season that Smith did not handle a single carry. Despite the Chiefs praising the SMU product for his playmaking ability earlier in the season, the team has not seemed committed to using him more in Pacheco's absence. Smith remains difficult to trust for fantasy purposes, even if Pacheco remains sidelined for a Week 12 matchup against the Colts.