NFL Player News

Coach Brandon Staley relayed Friday that he's hopeful Ekeler (hip) will be able to play Sunday against the Patriots.

Staley noted that Ekeler felt a little bit sore after a strong effort at Wednesday's practice, so the Chargers held the running back out of the team's past two sessions. On the plus side, Staley indicated that Ekeler is feeling better at this stage. While that sounds promising, for now Ekeler -- who is officially listed as questionable -- can be considered a game-day call in advance of Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. If he's limited or out versus New England, added Week 8 backfield touches would be available for Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree.

McNichols will retake his previous role as Derrick Henry's backup, as Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports that Darrynton Evans (knee) has been placed on IR and will miss the remainder of the season.

McNichols and Evans split the leftovers behind Henry in Evans' lone appearance of the season last week, and McNichols was limited to just one touch in that game. With Evans out of the picture again, McNichols should see a workload closer to the 4.8 touches per game he averaged in the first five before getting injured early in Week 6. McNichols' fantasy relevance will likely remain limited to deeper leagues as long as Henry stays healthy.

Evans (knee) was placed on IR on Friday and will miss the remainder of the season, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Evans started the season on IR and missed the first six weeks due to his bothersome knee before suiting up in Week 7 against Kansas City. His knee evidently didn't feel right in that game, which is why the team has opted to shut Evans down again. Being placed on IR the second time means Evans will miss the remainder of the campaign, so receiving back Jeremy McNichols will go back to working as Derrick Henry's primary backup.

Ekeler (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots after missing practice both Thursday and Friday.

We'll look for added clarity with regard to Ekeler's status as the Chargers' 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, and ideally NFL insiders such as Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport will have added context to report by late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. If Ekeler ends up out or limited versus New England, Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree would be in line for added Week 8 backfield opportunities.

Williams (thigh) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Williams didn't show up on the Lions' Week 8 injury report until Thursday as limited due to a thigh injury, which extended into Friday. Both Williams and No. 1 RB D'Andre Swift (groin) are listed as questionable for Sunday, but the latter has gutted out his injury and played in every game this season. Assuming Williams is out there this week, he shouldn't have a problem earning double-digit touches, as he's done in six of seven games on the campaign.

Swift (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

It's the same deal as every previous week this season, with Swift a limited participant and listed as questionable due to a groin injury. He's handled at least 12 touches and 56 percent of snaps in each game nonetheless, including three straight weeks with at least 17 touches and 74 percent share. Swift should be fine for his usual workload Sunday afternoon against the Eagles.

Ekeler (hip) remained sidelined at practice Friday, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ekeler was added to the Chargers' Week 8 injury report Thursday after missing practice, and his absence from Friday's session clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Patriots. The team's upcoming injury report will reveal the running back's official injury designation, but if Ekeler ends up out or limited this weekend, Joshua Kelley, Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree would be in line for added snaps and touches.

Chubb (calf) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game versus the Steelers, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Chubb was limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday after sitting out the past two games with the calf injury, but he practiced with no limitations Friday and avoided the questionable tag. The 25-year-old should operate in a workhorse role with Kareem Hunt (calf) still on injured reserve, though D'Ernest Johnson, who had 168 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown Week 7, still should be involved as a secondary option in the backfield.

Evans (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Evans was unable to practice this week and will miss his first game of the season due to the hamstring issue. Samaje Perine will continue to work as Cincinnati's secondary backfield option behind starter Joe Mixon.

Blasingame (knee) won't play in Sunday's game against the Colts, Terry McCormick of Titans Insider reports.

Not having the fullback in there to block may be a minor setback, but Derrick Henry and the Titans' running game should be just fine in Blasingame's absence. Blasingame hasn't touched the ball this season after totaling four scrimmage yards apiece in each of his first two campaigns with Tennessee.