NFL Player News

Dobbins (chest) practiced fully Thursday.

Dobbins, who made his season debut in Week 3 against the Patriots after returning from a major knee injury, was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a chest injury, but his full participation Thursday paves the way for the 2020 second-rounder to play Sunday against the Bills. After being limited to 27 snaps and seven carries in his return to action this past weekend, Dobbins could see an uptick in touches in Week 4, with Justice Hill -- who logged six carries for 60 yards versus New England -- also poised to be a factor in the Baltimore's backfield mix versus Buffalo.

Dillon (knee) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Dillon made a surprise showing on Wednesday's practice report as limited with a knee issue, but in the end it wasn't cause for concern ahead of Sunday's contest against the Patriots. His efficiency on the ground has been lacking through three games -- 3.5 YPC on 40 rushes -- but he's supplemented his stat line with eight catches (on 12 targets) for 58 yards while scoring one TD on the ground.

The Falcons withheld Patterson from a second straight practice for rest-related reasons, Ashton Edmunds of the team's official site reports.

Officially, the Falcons attributed Patterson's absence to "resting player/knee" on their Week 4 injury report, so his lack of on-field work may not have been entirely for maintenance purposes. Moreover, Atlanta held a non-padded practice Thursday, so Patterson wouldn't have taken contact even if he had participated. At this stage, head coach Arthur Smith hasn't suggested that Patterson is at risk of missing Sunday's game against the Falcons, but fantasy managers will still want to keep an eye on news pertaining to the 31-year-old as the weekend approaches. Patterson is coming off a career-best 141-yard rushing performance in last week's win over the Seahawks.

Sanders (hip) practiced fully Thursday.

One day removed from being a limited practice participant due to a hip issue, Sanders logged every rep Thursday, implying Wednesday's cap on his reps was for maintenance-related reasons. He's thus clear to lead the Eagles backfield Sunday against the Jaguars, which so far has equated to 51 touches for 235 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD in three games this season.

Taylor (toe) returned to a full practice Thursday.

After Taylor sat out Wednesday's session, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network suggested that the running back's absence was precautionary. With his return to a full practice Thursday, Taylor is now slated to continue to lead the Colts backfield Sunday against the Titans. Three games into the season, he's logged a total of 61 carries and 13 targets, while Indy's change-of-pace back Nyheim Hines has recorded seven carries and 17 targets in that span.

Montgomery (ankle/knee) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Sidelined for the second practice in a row, Montgomery is looking uncertain to play in Sunday's game against the Giants while he manages the two lower-body injuries. Unless Montgomery is able to get in some on-field work Friday, he'll likely sit out the Week 4 contest, which would pave the way for Khalil Herbert to take on a workhorse role out of the Chicago backfield.

Conner (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

For a second consecutive week, Conner is tending to a health concern, this time to his knee. So far, he's logged back-to-back capped sessions during Week 4 prep, so his listing on Friday's practice report may give a sense of his chances to suit up Sunday at Carolina. On the season, Conner is averaging a paltry 3.0 YPC on 30 rushes, hauled in 10 of 15 targets for 73 yards and scored one rushing touchdown.

McCaffrey (thigh) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice report, Ellis L. Williams of The Charlotte Observer reports.

The thigh injury kept McCaffrey off the practice field for the second day in a row, but head coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday that he wasn't concerned about the star tailback's availability for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. It's unclear if Rhule's stance has changed on the heels of another absence from practice, but more resolution on McCaffrey's status should come Friday, when Carolina holds its final Week 4 practice. If the thigh injury sidelines McCaffrey this weekend or results in him being limited, Chuba Hubbard and D'Onta Foreman would take on expanded roles out of the Panthers backfield.

Jones (illness) did not practice Thursday, Herbie Teope reports.

Jones missed his second practice in a row. Considering he is dealing with an illness, and not an injury, his inactivity may have less of an impact on his status for Sunday. More importantly, Jones is firmly behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon on the running back depth chart, and he hasn't been active for any of the first three regular-season games.

Cook (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

After being diagnosed with a dislocated left shoulder following last week's win over the Lions, Cook looked to be in legitimate danger of missing time, but his ability to practice fully Thursday largely assuages those fears. Though Cook is now on track to suit up Sunday against the Saints in London, he'll be playing with a harness to protect the dislocated shoulder. Cook isn't unfamiliar with playing through the injury, most notably doing so last season following a one-game absence and proceeding to log 27 carries for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 14 win over the Steelers. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Cook to reach those lofty heights again this weekend, but he should at least be able to handle his usual lead role while Alexander Mattison serves as his top complement.