NFL Player News

Carter, who currently is on the Cardinals' practice squad, took the initial running back reps in practice Thursday and Friday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Following Arizona's Week 8 bye, the team released Carter on Monday and then re-signed him to the practice squad one day later. The Cardinals still have two elevations to use on Carter this season, so the transactions seemingly were procedural to open up a spot on the active roster for one of the players currently on a reserve list. Elsewhere in the backfield, Emari Demercado (ankle) returned to practice this week in a limited capacity, indicating that he's closing in on his first game action since Week 6. The order of RBs in practice has been Carter, Demercado and then Bam Knight, so the team may be preparing to run with the backfield of Carter on early downs and Demercado in obvious passing situations Monday in Dallas, assuming the latter is able to suit up.

Demercado (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Friday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Demercado has cobbled together back-to-back capped sessions to begin the week as he seeks his first game action since he suffered a left ankle injury Week 6 in Indianapolis. He'll have one more chance to practice in full Saturday, or else risk heading into Monday's contest at Dallas with a designation. If Demercado is able to return to action Week 9, he'll be in the mix for touches behind the backfield tandem of Bam Knight and practice-squad member Michael Carter.

Marks (calf) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest versus the Broncos.

Marks showed up as limited due to a calf injury on Thursday's practice report, but a full session Friday has cleared him for Week 9 action. Since the Texans' Week 6 bye, he's turned 28 touches into 146 yards from scrimmage and one TD over the last two games, while veteran RB Nick Chubb has combined for 25 touches for 80 total yards and no TDs during that stretch.

With Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, TreVeyon Henderson and Jennings are currently the only healthy running backs on the Patriots' active roster, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

In that context, Henderson, who broke out for a career-high 75 yards on 10 carries in last week's win over the Browns, a game in which Stevenson recorded 14 carries and a catch on two targets, figures to see an uptick in touches Sunday, with Jennings available to mix in. Additionally, D'Ernest Johnson, Jonathan Ward and Rushawn Baker are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad, but with Stevenson's timetable for a return not yet outlined, Jennings might be worth a speculative add by those in deeper leagues who have the roster flexibility for such a move.

Smith is poised for more work Sunday at Buffalo with Isiah Pacheco (knee) ruled out for that contest, Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star reports.

Pacheco wasn't able to practice this week due to the right MCL sprain that he sustained during Monday's win against the Commanders. Kareem Hunt is the obvious player to help fill the void in Pacheco's absence, but Smith also should benefit in what has been mostly a two-pronged Chiefs backfield this season. While Smith hasn't been very productive on the ground through the first eight games of his career (25 carries for 75 yards), the rookie seventh-round pick has hauled in 14 of 18 targets for 122 yards. He's also still in search of his first TD as a pro.

Vaki (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

With Craig Reynolds (hamstring) ruled out, Vaki could be in line to serve as the Lions' RB3 behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery if Vaki is cleared to play.

Reynolds (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Reynolds carries almost zero fantasy value and has mainly been glued to special teams this season behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

Gordon (ankle) is considered day-to-day with an ankle sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Gordon, who was forced out of Thursday's 28-6 loss to the Ravens after logging 13 snaps and two carries, should benefit from the fact that the Dolphins don't play again until Sunday, Nov. 9 against the Bills. Added context regarding the running back's Week 10 status is slated to arrive no later than next week once Miami resumes practicing, but if Gordon ends up limited or sidelined versus Buffalo, Jaylen Wright (a healthy scratch versus Baltimore) would likely rejoin the backfield mix behind De'Von Achane.

Haskins (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Tennessee.

Haskins hasn't been able to practice since he injured his hamstring during a Week 7 loss to the Colts and will miss a second consecutive contest as a result. The Chargers currently have only one healthy running back (Kimani Vidal) on the active roster with Omarion Hampton (ankle) still on injured reserve, so the team will need to bring up reinforcements from the practice squad, where Jaret Patterson, Amar Johnson and Trayveon Williams currently reside, to round out the backfield this weekend.

Jacobs (calf) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Carolina.

Jacobs remained effective while playing through the same calf injury in his past two games, though he did cede more work to backup Emanuel Wilson, relative to their respective roles earlier in the season. With the Packers heavily favored this week, Jacobs has strong odds to find the end zone even if he doesn't quite match his early season dominance of Green Bay's rushing work.