NFL Player News

Murray (ankle) wasn't spotted taking part in Tuesday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

After missing the Ravens' last two games, Murray's absence from a second straight practice in a short week doesn't bode well for his chances of suiting up for Thursday's game against the Dolphins. Barring an upgrade in his participation during Wednesday's session, Baltimore will likely turn to Devonta Freeman (13 carries last week) and Le'Veon Bell (11 carries last week) as its primary backs again in Week 10.

Rountree carried the ball one time for one yard in Sunday's 27-24 win against the Eagles.

Rountree tallied just one of the team's 21 carries as Joshua Kelly took most of the backup workload. The rookie was unable to make the most of his singular carry, continuing to show his ineffectiveness on the ground as he has averaged only 2.5 yards on 29 carries over the 2021 season thus far. With Austin Ekeler back healthy and Justin Jackson (quad) set to return from injury in the coming weeks, Rountree will continue to see a minimum workload going forward.

Barkley (ankle) was spotted working off to the side under the supervision of the Giants' training staff during the team's informal practice session Tuesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

New York is on bye this week, but the team is holding a workout Tuesday to get reps for less-established members of the roster as well as rehabbing players like Barkley, who has sat out each of the Giants' last four games. Though Barkley's presence at the practice facility is a decent sign, the fact that he wasn't mixing in for team drills means he likely would have been listed as a non-participant if the Giants had to release an official injury report for Tuesday. Because of the bye week, New York won't have to provide an official update on Barkley's practice activity until Nov. 18, three days before the Giants' Week 11 game in Tampa Bay. Given his long layoff, Barkley will need to practice in full at some point next week in order for the Giants to sign off on him playing.

Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears relayed Tuesday that Stevenson has been placed in the NFL's concussion protocol, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports. "We're on the wait-and-see program," Fears said of Stevenson.

In addition to Stevenson, lead back Damien Harris is also following the five-step concussion protocol, putting both players' statuses in question for Sunday's game against the Browns. In all likelihood, both Stevenson and Harris will be limited or non-participants in practice when the Patriots begin Week 10 prep Wednesday, leaving Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor as the only current healthy backs on the roster. Stevenson received the call over Taylor to serve as the Patriots' third back in last week's 24-6 win over the Panthers, carrying 10 times for 62 yards and adding two receptions for 44 yards before departing with the head injury.

Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears relayed Tuesday that Harris (head) has been placed in the NFL's concussion protocol, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports. "We're on the wait-and-see program," Fears said of Harris.

In addition to Harris, fellow running back Rhamondre Stevenson is also following the five-step concussion protocol, putting both players' statuses in question for Sunday's game against the Browns. In all likelihood, both Harris and Stevenson will be limited or non-participants in practice when the Patriots begin Week 10 prep Wednesday, leaving Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor as the only current healthy backs on the roster. Harris has found the end zone seven times through nine games and ranks ninth in the NFL with 547 rushing yards.

Felton tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, putting his status in question for Sunday's game at New England, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

In addition to Felton, Nick Chubb tested positive for the virus Tuesday as well, meaning that three running backs on the 53-man roster have now contracted COVID-19 after depth option John Kelly was revealed to have tested positive Monday. At this stage, D'Ernest Johnson remains the only healthy back on the roster who isn't in the NFL's COVID-19 protocols. Because Felton and Chubb are vaccinated, both will be eligible to rejoin the Browns as soon as they submit two negative test results at least 24 hours apart. Even if Felton clears all protocols prior to Sunday and Chubb remains out, Johnson would likely serve as the clear lead back Week 10, with Felton filling more of a change-of-pace role in that scenario.

Chubb tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and is uncertain to be available for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Fellow running back Demetric Felton also tested positive for the virus, but because both he and Chubb are vaccinated, the two will have a chance to be available this weekend if they're able to submit two negative test results at least 24 hours apart. Cleveland will likely place Chubb on the reserve/COVID-19 list in the near future to provide the team with more roster flexibility in the short term, but if he clears all health and safety protocols before Sunday, the 26-year-old should remain on track to lead the Cleveland ground game. If not, D'Ernest Johnson would likely step in as the Browns' feature back, though it's possible Cleveland could get Kareem Hunt (calf) back from injured reserve this week as well if he resumes practicing and proves he's healthy.

McKinnon reeled in all three of his targets for 26 yards Sunday versus the Packers.

McKinnon didn't receive any touches last week against the Giants but got a bit more involved Sunday. He's primarily a pass-catching option out of the backfield who can contribute on third downs, so his upside from a fantasy point will presumably remain limited.

Gore ran for 14 yards on three rushes and reeled in his lone target for six yards Sunday versus the Packers.

Gore didn't see anywhere near the involvement in Week 9 that he saw the contest prior, when he logged 11 touches. Gore is still firmly behind Darrel Williams in the pecking order and figures to fall further down the depth chart once Clyde Edwards-Helaire is ready to return from injured reserve.

Kelley carried the ball three times for six yards and caught his only target for four yards in the 27-24 win over the Eagles on Sunday.

Kelley became the No. 2 running back as Justin Jackson was out with a quad injury. Kelley and rookie sixth-round pick Larry Rountree have oscillated as the primary short-yardage ball carriers throughout the season without much rhyme or reason. With Jackson's status still up in the air, Kelley could be looking at more snaps in the upcoming weeks.