NFL Player News

Brown was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.

Brown is slated to back up Chuba Hubbard and Royce Freeman after the Panthers announced Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) was shifting to injured reserve Saturday. The undrafted free agent beat out Trenton Cannon, Rodney Smith and Reggie Bonnafon for a depth back role after a solid preseason.

Hubbard is expected to operate as the lead running back for at least the next three weeks after Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

It's obviously a disappointing development for McCaffrey, who had already been ruled out ahead of the Week 6 contest, but Hubbard fantasy managers have to be giddy about the guaranteed workload, especially with three straight matchups against inferior defensive talent on tap. The rookie fourth-round pick has certainly lived up to the billing as a top-tier backup, accumulating 284 total yards on 58 touches since taking over for the injured McCaffrey in Week 3. While the Panthers will likely sign or elevate another running back from the practice squad in short order, it's hard to imagine anyone threatening Hubbard's workload at the moment.

McCaffrey (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

In hindsight, it's hard not to view last week's injury designation as a troubling omen. McCaffrey reportedly made it through Friday's Week 5 practice without any setbacks only to mysteriously be listed as doubtful for the aforementioned contest, ultimately missing last week's loss to the Eagles. Coach Matt Rhule seemed to have some optimism his star back would be available this week against the Vikings, only to see those hopes essentially dashed by back-to-back practice DNPs. While this latest development is obviously crushing for fantasy managers, it does take a bit of the guesswork out of McCaffrey's health status and ensures the multi-talented threat will have plenty of time to rehab what's obviously a lingering hamstring issue. McCaffrey will be eligible to make a return Week 9 against the Patriots, but until then expect Chuba Hubbard to continue operating as the lead back.

The Bengals did not activate Samaje Perine from the reserve/COVID-19 list meaning Mixon (ankle) is expected to carry the full workload Sunday against the Lions.

In a corresponding move the Bengals elevated Trayveon Williams from the practice with the expectation he, not Chris Evans, will operate as the backup behind Mixon. Last week, the star tailback saw his fewest touches in a game since Week 6 of the 2019 season due to a low-grade ankle sprain, but it appears as if Mixon will be more or less back to his usual workload, particularly with experienced backup Perine not in the picture. Through five weeks, the Lions have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs in the NFL.

Williams has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions.

Williams will take over for Samaje Perine, who will not be activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for Sunday's contest. The 23-year-old made a couple of brief appearances last season when Joe Mixon was sidelined, most notably tallying a 12-carry, three-catch effort as the de-facto starter in Week 14 against the Cowboys. The move essentially guarantees Mixon will be expected to handle his full workload, an important distinction considering he's currently listed as questionable with a nagging ankle injury.

Johnson is expected to be active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals as a reserve running back behind top option Kareem Hunt (wrist/knee), Jared Mueller of USA Today reports.

Nick Chubb (calf) has been ruled out of the game, which creates an opportunity for Johnson, who has played just eight snaps on offense in 2021. Hunt is slated to take the lead back role, but he was hampered by knee and wrist injuries during practice and is listed as questionable for the contest. Should those injuries hinder Hunt or prompt the Browns to ease up on his workload, Johnson and Demetric Felton are poised to step in.

Jones rushed five times for 20 yards and secured his only target for nine yards in the Buccaneers' 28-22 win over the Eagles on Thursday night.

For the third straight contest, Jones worked as a clear understudy to lead back Leonard Fournette, who garnered 28 total touches to Jones' six. The fourth-year back saw just 13 snaps from scrimmage, his fourth consecutive game under 15 plays. At this point, it appears it will take an injury to Fournette for Jones to have any fantasy relevance beyond the deepest of formats.

Gainwell caught one of his two targets for one yard in Thursday's 28-22 loss to the Buccaneers.

Gainwell wasn't a part of the running game at all in this one and has seen his carries level out over the last four weeks after garnering 15 over the season's first two games. The rookie has now seen just six totes since Week 2 ended.

Hubbard will be the Panthers' starting running back Sunday against the Vikings with Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) sidelined for a third consecutive game, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Since taking over for McCaffrey in the second quarter of a Week 3 win at Houston, Hubbard has racked up 48 carries for 210 yards and 10 catches (on 13 targets) for 74 yards. Most of Hubbard's output during that stretch came Week 5, when he reeled off 134 yards from scrimmage on 29 touches against the Eagles. With Royce Freeman the only competition for reps out of the Panthers backfield -- he has 13 touches over the last three games -- Hubbard yet again is poised to be the lead runner in Carolina.

Taylor (groin) listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Taylor was added to the Patriots' Week 6 injury report Friday after being limited by a groin injury during the team's final practice of the week. Also listed as questionable for Sunday's contest is lead back Damien Harris (ribs), leaving Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden as the team's healthiest backfield options heading into the weekend.