NFL Player News

Swift didn't practice Thursday due to hip and knee injuries.

Both Swift and fellow RB Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe) were non-participants to begin Week 5 prep, leaving question marks in the Bears backfield ahead of Sunday's contest at Green Bay. While Swift ceded 30 carries to Monangai in a Week 4 win against the Jets, the former notched 15 rushes and two catches en route to 74 yards from scrimmage. The overall situation will continue to be monitored to get a sense of who among the duo will be Chicago's lead runner this weekend.

Patterson signed with the Browns' practice squad Wednesday.

The 27-year-old running back will join his fourth different NFL organization, after stints with the Commanders, Chargers and Vikings. He saw action in six games with the Chargers in 2025, carrying 41 times for 159 yards and one touchdown to go with three catches for eight yards on four targets.

Barkley (hamstring) wasn't spotted at Wednesday's practice, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.

With Barkley already considered week-to-week coming out of Sunday's loss to the Rams, his absence from Wednesday's session is no surprise. Barkley should be considered closer to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London. Will Shipley and Dameon Pierce are currently in line to handle backfield duties after Tank Bigsby (abdomen) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

Brooks (ankle) will not practice Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Brooks was forced from last Sunday's win over the Bucs with the ankle injury, but the nature of his injury is still unknown. If Brooks is unable to play in Week 5 against the Bears, MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson would absorb his share of the snaps in what has been a three-man backfield to this point in the season.

Head coach Ben Johnson said Wednesday that Monangai's thumb injury is not an issue, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

While Johnson downplayed Monangai's thumb, he did say the running back is feeling the effects of his 30-carry workload from last Sunday's win over the Jets. The Bears could limit Monangai's snaps in practice this week, and it's fair to wonder if D'Andre Swift will step back into the clear lead role for Sunday's divisional matchup with the Packers.

Stevenson (undisclosed) is not expected to practice Wednesday, Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com reports.

Stevenson appeared to injure his leg or knee toward the end of last Sunday's win over the Bills, but it's unclear if his absence Wednesday is related to that issue. Head coach Mike Vrabel expressed some optimism that Stevenson can still play Sunday against the Raiders. If not, TreVeyon Henderson would be set up for a potential breakout week as the clear lead back for New England, though Corey Kiner and Lan Larison could also see work out of the backfield.

Head coach Aaron Glenn said Wednesday that Hall (quadriceps) remains week-to-week, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

Hall seems certain to miss at least one more game with his quad injury. After Braelon Allen played 32 of 34 offensive snaps in last Sunday's loss to the Bears, he should once again be expected to handle an every-down, bellcow role in Sunday's home date with the Browns. Allen is a locked-in fantasy RB2 with RB1 upside.

Dowdle (toe) remained off to the side with the rehab group at Wednesday's practice, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Dowdle has missed Pittsburgh's past two games due to a dislocated toe. Starting the week off to the side isn't a good sign for Dowdle's Week 5 availability, but head coach Mike McCarthy did say the running back will do more in practice this week. Jaylen Warren has taken hold of Pittsburgh's backfield and will remain a borderline fantasy RB1 if Dowdle needs to miss another game.

The Eagles elevated Pierce from the practice squad to the 53-man roster Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

With the Eagles' practice week kicking off Wednesday, Pierce is getting the nod over Jaydon Blue, as Saquon Barkley deals with a hamstring injury that he suffered in last Sunday's loss to the Rams. Tank Bigsby (abdomen) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, so there's a real chance Philly's backfield consists of Will Shipley and Pierce against the Jaguars in London on Sunday. Shipley is the hot addition off the waiver wire in fantasy this week, but it's no guarantee that he handles the majority of the rushing work ahead of Pierce, who is a prototypical early-down rusher. Shipley has been the team's preferred passing-down back this season. Pierce is certainly worth a speculative add in most fantasy formats.

The Falcons cut Jones from the practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Jones stuck around with the Falcons on the practice squad after failing to make the team's 53-man roster at the end of training camp. The undrafted rookie is now a free agent, and he should garner some interest from teams looking to add depth to the backfield.