NFL Player News

Swift (groin) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Swift leads all running backs league wide with 391 receiving yards, which is well ahead of the next two in the rankings (Cordarrelle Patterson with 296, J.D. McKissic at 249). The development is the result of a Lions skill-position group bereft of talent and beset by injuries, and Swift has generated 653 yards from scrimmage and five TDs overall in seven appearances this season. He's done it all despite a groin injury that's lingered since early August, but his status still should be monitored to ensure he's out there Sunday against the Eagles.

Sanders (ankle/foot) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

Sanders was knocked from the Eagles' Week 7 loss to the Raiders with what was termed a low-ankle sprain. The ensuing prognosis of "week-to-week" from coach Nick Sirianni doesn't bode well for an appearance this weekend, nor does missing back-to-back practices to begin Week 8 prep. If Sanders is deemed inactive Sunday at Detroit, Philadelphia's backfield will be down to Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott, while the team may elevate Jordan Howard from the practice squad to help with early downs.

Barkley (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

The same applies to wideouts Kenny Golladay (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle), though the report notes that the trio could potentially log some practice reps Friday. If Barkley is indeed able to get some work in Friday following Thursday's absence, he'll be trending in the right direction, but at this stage his chances of returning to action Monday night against Kansas City are cloudy. If Barkley remains out or limited in Week 8, Devontae Booker would continue to see added work in the Giants backfield.

Gibson (shin) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Washington continues to place a cap on Gibson's practice reps, but the limitations haven't impacted his ability to play through a stress fracture in his shin over the last four games. During that stretch, he's combined for 66 touches for 247 yards from scrimmage and three TDs, while No. 2 running back J.D. McKissic concurrently earned 39 touches for 99 total yards and one score. Clearly, Gibson is the top back in an offense beset by injuries, making him a must play on a weekly basis.

Phillips could fill a roster vacancy after the Texans traded Mark Ingram to the Saints on Wednesday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The immediate impact of the trade centers on increased roles for David Johnson and Phillip Lindsay, two backs that have been active every game this season, but Phillips is also likely to be part of the active lineup going forward. He has been active for one game this season and recorded just two carries for nine yards in 2020 as a rookie, but Phillips becomes a person of interest. He led Houston in rushing during the preseason, and the team, at 1-6, is in full-on evaluation mode. Rex Burkhead (hip) is also in the mix for more work due to Ingram's departure.

Wilkins has recovered after being inactive with an illness in Week 7.

The running back was estimated as a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice and is expected to be active in Week 8 versus the Titans. Wilkins is still unlikely to make any offensive impact as the fourth option behind Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines and Marlon Mack.

Williams practiced in full Wednesday, and he appears to be no longer bogged down by his hamstring injury, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Williams last played in the Falcons' Week 4 matchup against Washington, tallying seven tackles. With fellow cornerback A.J. Terrell in concussion protocol, he may have to jump right into a prominent role in the secondary.

Cook wasn't listed on the Vikings' first Week 8 injury report of Week 8 released Wednesday. "I feel good. That [Week 7] bye was necessary," Cook told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "But after the [Oct. 17] game [in Carolina], I didn't feel too bad...I didn't have no setbacks or nothing."

Cook was a regular on Vikings injury reports Weeks 3 through 6, sitting out a pair of games in the process. In the team's last game before a Week 7 bye, he handled 75 percent of the snaps on offense against the Panthers en route to a season-high 31 touches for 143 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown. With a week to rest up, Cook now looks healthy ahead of Minnesota's final 11 contests of the regular season. The same is true of Cook's backup, Alexander Mattison, who practiced in full Wednesday despite a shoulder issue.

Vaughn rushed five times for 27 yards in the Buccaneers' 38-3 win over the Bears in Week 7.

Vaughn logged just eight snaps from scrimmage, but he was busy with them. The five carries were the first of the season for Vaughn, who's been active for four games overall but had only seen action on special teams until Sunday. As long as the top backfield trio of Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette and Giovani Bernard is healthy, Vaughn appears destined for the most minimal of roles on offense.

Wilson (knee) has a chance to practice next week, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wilson already has missed the requisite six games in which to be activated from the reserve/PUP list, but his recovery from meniscus surgery in late May was always expected to extend until midseason. The 49ers are closing in on the midpoint of their schedule, and a return to the practice field next week would give him three weeks to prove the health of his knee and put himself in position to join the backfield between Weeks 9 and 12. An appearance during the front end of that timetable seems unlikely, however, given that head coach Kyle Shanahan believes Wilson still is a few weeks away from being ready. In any case, the running back appears as if he'll begin the final stages of his recovery program in the near future.