NFL Player News

Harris (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys after practicing in a limited fashion Thursday and Friday.

After being forced out of New England's Week 5 win over the Texans, first by a chest issue and then by a rib injury, Harris logged a DNP on Wednesday. His subsequent return to practice, albeit in a limited capacity, is encouraging, but the running back's status nonetheless should be monitored as Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff approaches. If Harris ends up limited at all or out, Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden would be next up for touches in New England's backfield. Meanwhile, reserve back J.J. Taylor also is listed as questionable after being added to the Patriots' injury report Friday due to a groin injury.

Coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Penny (calf) is expected to return to practice next week when he's first eligible to be designated to return from injured reserve, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

While Penny has been dealing with a strained calf since the season opener, the Seahawks didn't place him on IR until just before Week 4. Thus, his time away from practice started ticking at that point, and Sunday's game in Pittsburgh will mark his third that he'll be on the reserve list. Elsewhere in the backfield, starter Chris Carson (neck) himself may be going to injured reserve soon, meaning Penny could get back in the mix as soon as Week 7 against the Saints if he proves his health, beginning next Thursday. In the meantime, Alex Collins will handle early downs for Seattle, with DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer around for any RB work that lingers.

Gordon (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders after logging limited practices both Thursday and Friday.

Given the official questionable tag, Gordon's status will be worth monitoring as Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, though Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com indicates that he fully expects the running back to be available this weekend. If that's the case, Gordon will continue to split backfield work with rookie Javonte Williams, an arrangement that's resulted in Gordon averaging 56.4 rushing yards and 19.2 receiving yards to date to go along with a pair of TDs.

Evans may serve as the Bengals' No. 2 running back behind Joe Mixon (ankle) on Sunday at Detroit if Samaje Perine (illness) isn't activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Bengals placed Perine on the COVID list Tuesday after he tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, Mixon continued to have his practice reps capped due to a Week 4 ankle sprain. There's an expectation Mixon will be back to his normal self Sunday, which has equated to 19.7 touches per game in his 46 career starts. Still, Evans, a 2021 sixth-round pick, likely will get on the field as he seeks his first carry as a pro (he already has five catches for 55 yards on 16 offensive snaps).

Jacobs (illness) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos after returning to a limited practice Friday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Jacobs missed Thursday's practice session, but the running back's limited participation Friday and subsequent final listing on the Raiders' Week 6 injury report sets the stage for him to head the team's rushing attack this weekend against a stout Denver defense that has allowed an average of 85.4 rushing yards to date. Meanwhile, Peyton Barber (toe) is available to spell Jacobs in early down situations Sunday, while Kenyan Drake and possibly Jalen Richard are slated to work in change-of-pace roles versus the Broncos.

Mixon (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest at Detroit, is expected to handle a "normal" workload this weekend, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

Mixon came out of Week 4 with what was termed a low-grade ankle sprain at the time. He didn't practice at all last week, but after putting in a positive workout last Saturday he began to trend in the right direction to suit up Week 5 against the Packers. Indeed, Mixon did just that, but he also handled his fewest touches in a game (11) since Week 6 of the 2019 season. He proceeded to sandwich limited sessions around a DNP on Thursday, and on Friday coach Zac Taylor implied Mixon would be back to his usual amount of work Sunday. "I think every week you come off a sprained ankle, it gets better," Taylor said. Mixon also may not have to contend for snaps with Samaje Perine, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. If rookie Chris Evans is Mixon's primary backup, the latter could approach the amount of work from his 46 career starts (19.7 touches for 90.3 yards from scrimmage per game, 27 TDs).

Elliott (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Elliott seemingly made it through last week's game without aggravating a sore knee, but he did hurt his chest/rib area when he fell on a camera pylon on the sideline. He then managed limited practice participation Wednesday through Friday, suggesting his name won't be on the Cowboys' inactive list this Sunday. The team is scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, with Tony Pollard on hand for a three-down role in the unlikely event Elliott can't go.

Edmonds (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest in Cleveland, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

For a second straight week, Edmonds' practice reps were capped due to a shoulder issue. He was considered a game-time call for last Sunday's game against the 49ers, but he suited up and played a typical 60 percent of the offensive snaps on his way to nine touches for 34 total yards. Backup James Conner also logged a normal snap share (48 percent), turning 11 touches into 37 yards and one TD. A cloud continues to hang over Edmonds' availability, which won't be known until 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. If he's available, Edmonds likely will work in a similar 1A-1B situation with Conner to the Week 5 breakdown.

Barkley (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Barkley hasn't been placed on IR but also didn't have a shot to play this week. He missed practice Wednesday through Friday, allowing Devontae Booker to step in as the lead back -- an assignment he figures to continue this Sunday against the Rams. After that, the Giants face Carolina in Week 7 and Kansas City in Week 8.

McKinnon is slated for more touches for at least the next three games after the Chiefs placed Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Blair Kerkhoff of The Kansas City Star reports.

Edwards-Helaire was diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his left knee after his early departure from Kansas City's Week 5 loss to the Bills. During that contest, McKinnon received a season-high 32 percent share of the offensive snaps, but he managed just one carry for two yards and two catches (on two targets) for 13 yards. Meanwhile, new presumptive starting RB Darrel Williams logged 41 percent of the plays on offense en route to eight touches for 45 total yards. Williams is expected to be the early down and goal-line back in Edwards-Helaire's place, but McKinnon's pass-catching ability should result in a regular role moving forward.