NFL Player News

Coach Mike Vrabel is hopeful that Evans (knee) will be able to return to practice Wednesday, John Glennon of BroadwaySportsMedia.com reports.

Evans has been on injured reserve since the start of the season due to a knee injury, but he's eligible to return as soon as he's cleared by the team's medical staff. Whether he'll be able to do so for Sunday's Week 5 matchup against Jacksonville remains to be seen, but practicing would be a significant step in his recovery.

McCaffrey (hamstring) took part in pregame stretching prior to Sunday's loss to the Cowboys, but he appears unlikely to play Week 5 against the Eagles and is more realistically targeting a return to the lineup Week 6 versus the Vikings, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Beyond ruling out McCaffrey ahead of the Week 4 contest and stating that the running back wasn't going to go on injured reserve, coach Matt Rhule hasn't commented on McCaffrey's availability moving forward. However, when McCaffrey initially strained his hamstring in the Sept. 23 win over the Texans, Rhule suggested the star back would be out for "a few weeks," so the prevailing thought is that he'll be sidelined for a second straight contest this weekend. The Panthers could formally rule McCaffrey out for Week 5 when they reconvene for practice Wednesday.

Taylor logged four of a possible 59 snaps on offense in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Buccaneers, NESN's Zack Cox reports.

In the process, Taylor finished with one carry for zero yards and one catch for zero yards, while Brandon Bolden (19 snaps, six catches) continued to earn the bulk of the Patriots' change-of-pace looks behind lead back Damien Harris, with James White (hip) on IR. More importantly, the idea that Taylor could be destined for a higher profile in New England's offense may need to be put on hold for the short term after he recorded a costly second-half fumble in Tampa Bay territory. With that in mind, it's possible that Rhamondre Stevenson, who has been a healthy scratch of late, could reenter the team's backfield mix Week 5 versus Houston.

Bolden was on the field for 19 of 59 snaps on offense in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Buccaneers, carrying the ball once for zero yards and catching all six of his targets for 51 yards, NESN's Zack Cox reports.

Meanwhile, lead back Damien Harris logged 36 snaps, four carries and two catches in the contest, while J.J. Taylor was out there for four snaps, recording one carry, one catch and a fumble. In a game where the Patriots leaned heavily on the short passing game, the team's running backs accounted for just six carries. That's not a pattern that's likely to continue in Week 5 versus the Texans, but what can be gleaned from Sunday's box score is that for now at least, Bolden is the player who the team is primarily counting on to fill the void created by the absence of James White, who is on IR with a hip injury. Heading into Week 4, there was speculation that Taylor could see his profile in the offense expand, but his costly lost fumble in Tampa Bay territory Sunday doesn't figure to help his chances of supplanting Bolden in the short term.

Jones rushed six times for 25 yards and a touchdown and wasn't targeted in the passing game during the Buccaneers' 19-17 win over the Patriots on Sunday night.

The fourth-year back's role as just a complementary option to Leonard Fournette was never clearer than against the Patriots, when the latter outpaced Jones by 14 carries and five targets. However, Jones was the one who was able to cash in with a touchdown, notching an eight-yard score in which he was able to get just inside the right pylon late in the third quarter. Jones' unquestionably diminished role is a concern, however, as the six carries he logged Sunday equaled a season high. The 24-year-old will hope for more opportunity in a Week 5 home tilt against the highly porous Dolphins run defense, a game that may offer the right script for a heavy dose of the ground attack in the second half.

The Bears do not plan to offer an update about the health of Montgomery (knee) until after Wednesday's first official practice of the week, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Early reports are optimistic Montgomery has avoided a torn ACL, instead suggesting that he suffered a hyperextended left knee during Sunday's divisional win over the Lions. However, the standout running back still is undergoing medical testing. Backup Damien Williams also picked up a thigh bruise during Sunday's win, though the injury may not keep him from suiting up at Las Vegas in Week 5, while rookie Khalil Herbert suddenly is the only back on the depth chart at full health.

Williams suffered a thigh bruise during Sunday's win over the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Bears appear to believe Williams' injury is minor and won't impede his ability to suit up Week 5 against the Raiders, but with David Montgomery (knee) also dealing with an injury, the team's backfield picture suddenly is muddy. Montgomery still is undergoing medical evaluations, and early reports are optimistic he's avoided a torn ACL, but the severity of his injury isn't yet clear. Behind Williams and Montgomery stands only rookie Khalil Herbert, while Tarik Cohen (knee) will need to remain on the PUP list until at least Week 7.

Mixon is nursing a low-grade ankle sprain and is considered week-to-week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Bengals' coaching staff hasn't yet ruled Mixon out for Week 5, but at this point it looks like the workhorse running back will be forced to spend some time on the sideline. Coach Zac Taylor said after Thursday's win over the Jaguars he believed Mixon's injury to be minor, so if the team estimates he could return after only missing one or two games, a stint on IR might be avoided. Samaje Perine appears destined for a larger role while Mixon gets healthy, as does rookie fifth-round pick Chris Evans. Perine could be the primary recipient of carries, while Evans handles more passing-down reps.

Pollard carried the ball 10 times for 67 yards in Sunday's win over the Panthers.

While he didn't receive a target, Pollard still posted strong numbers behind Ezekiel Elliott and saw double-digit touches while topping 60 yards from scrimmage for the third straight week. The Cowboys' increased emphasis on the running game is turning Pollard into a fairly reliable fantasy asset even in a backup role, giving him some appeal Week 5 against a Giants defense that hasn't been able to contain the likes of Alvin Kamara, Melvin Gordon or J.D. McKissic this year.

Homer rushed once for five yards in Sunday's 28-21 win over the 49ers.

Homer's usage is reserved for passing scenarios. With the Seahawks leading for most of the game, he finished with just nine offensive snaps. Alex Collins out-snapped him with 22 and garnered 78 yards and a touchdown on 12 touches. Homer could have more of a role Thursday against the Rams if the game turns into a shootout, but Chris Carson is still the only dependable fantasy option in Seattle's backfield.