NFL Player News

Spiller (ankle) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.

The rookie fourth-round pick is thus slated to be available for the Chargers' season opener against the Raiders, but as long as undisputed top back Austin Ekeler remains healthy, Spiller might have only a small role on offense. The Chargers also have Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel on hand as candidates to see complementary snaps and touches behind Ekeler.

Etienne and James Robinson are in line to share work in Sunday's season opener against the Commanders, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

While Etienne worked as the Jaguars' top back throughout training camp, Robinson has continued to progress from a torn left Achilles that he suffered Dec. 26. Per DiRocco, Robinson -- who isn't listed on the Jaguars' Week 1 injury report -- isn't expected to be limited Sunday, with his workload dependent on game flow and how he feels as the contest unfolds. Etienne is still expected to see his fair share of work versus Washington, and given the element of speed he brings to the table, the 2021 first-round pick remains the upside play in Jacksonville's backfield.

Ahmed was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice due to a heel injury, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Ahmed, along with Chase Edmonds (groin) and Myles Gaskin (neck), popped up on the injury report Wednesday as limited participants. Assuming Ahmed can upgrade to full participation by Friday, he should put himself in position for Sunday's season opener versus the Patriots. Even so, he could still find himself as a healthy inactive in a crowded Miami backfield.

Gaskin was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice due to a neck injury, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Gaskin finds himself as one of three Miami running backs who were listed as limited participants Wednesday, leaving Raheem Mostert as the only healthy running back to start the week. The extent of Gaskin's neck injury remains unclear, but it's hard to project what the Dolphins' backfield will look like Week 1 with the majority of their running backs currently banged up.

Robinson (Achilles) isn't listed on the Jaguars' Week 1 injury report and could have a significant role Sunday against Washington, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Doug Pederson made it sound as though Robinson has no limitations, apart from the presumption of backfield mate Travis Etienne also handling a large role. Pederson further suggested that usage of the two backs could depend on both game plans and game context, noting that there are some situations where he likes to "control the pace of play with a guy like James." While the workload distribution remains uncertain, Robinson apparently will be on the field Sunday -- a major milestone after he suffered an Achilles tear in Week 16 last season.

Dobbins (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Dobbins is "ascending quickly," while quarterback Lamar Jackson said he hoped the running back would be out on the field in "a couple of weeks." A limited designation on the first official injury report of the season was to be expected, considering Dobbins was activated from the PUP list Aug. 8 but seemingly still hasn't been cleared for contact. If Dobbins misses the season opener against the Jets this weekend, Baltimore will rely on Mike Davis, Justice Hill and Kenyan Drake in the backfield, with Davis being the favorite to draw the start.

Edmonds was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice on account of a groin injury, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Fellow Miami backs Myles Gaskin (neck) and Salvon Ahmed (heel) also were limited participants, while oft-injured Raheem Mostert managed to duck the injury report after his lengthy offseason rehab. The Dolphins hadn't previously signaled that Edmonds was managing an injury at any point this summer, but it's still worth watching to see if he upgrades to full participation ahead of Sunday's matchup with New England.

Brightwell (undisclosed) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Brightwell was sidelined for the Giants' second preseason contest but returned to action for the finale and will be good to go for the regular-season opener. The second-year return man is expected to operate as a depth running back behind Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida, but he'll get most of his snaps on special teams.

Sanders (hamstring) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.

Sanders had an interesting training camp, working with the second-team offense at one point, and after hauling in both targets for 20 yards in the Eagles' preseason opener, he didn't make another appearance during exhibition season due to a hamstring issue. The fourth-year running back finally returned to the practice field last Thursday and has progressed enough to handle all on-field activity less than a week later. How many reps Sanders may yield to the backs behind him on the depth chart (Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott and Trey Sermon) in Sunday's season opener in Detroit is still uncertain.

Sanders (hamstring) likely will be a limited practice participant Wednesday but appears on track to start Sunday in Detroit, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Speaking before Wednesday's practice, head coach Nick Sirianni said his level of concern about Sanders' hamstring injury isn't high, per Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. It's nonetheless worth monitoring Sanders' participation throughout the week, as hamstring injuries always carry the possibility of a setback even if his limitations in practice are mostly out of caution. The Eagles have Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Sermon behind him on the depth chart.