NFL Player News
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Kimani Vidal RB | LAC
Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Signed to roster
The Chargers signed Vidal to their active roster Wednesday.
He'll take the place of Omarion Hampton, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury late in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Commanders. Vidal and Hassan Haskins formed a near 50/50 split on the next drive, with Vidal then taking over on the final series once Justin Herbert and other starters had been pulled. Vidal was a practice-squad promotion for Weeks 4 and 5 -- after Najee Harris suffered a season-ending injury -- but will now reside on the active roster and have a role in the Week 6 game plan against a struggling Miami defense.
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Omarion Hampton RB | LAC
Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Placed on IR
The Chargers placed Hampton (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
With Hampton out for at least four games, the Chargers are signing Kimani Vidal to their active roster and Nyheim Hines to the practice squad. Vidal and Hassan Haskins split backfield snaps after Hampton's early exit from a loss to the Commanders this past Sunday.
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Saquon Barkley RB | PHI
Eagles' Saquon Barkley: Ready for Thursday Night Football
Barkley (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and has been cleared to suit up Thursday against the Giants.
Barkley is ready to suit up for Thursday's divisional match after having been estimated as a non-participant Monday and as limited during Tuesday's walk-through. The star running back has reportedly dealt with general soreness in his knee, and he played a season-low 72 percent of offensive snaps Week 5 while carrying the ball just six times for 30 rushing yards. Given that context, it's possible his workload could be managed Thursday night coming off a short week of practice.
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Cody Schrader RB | DEN
Jaguars' Cody Schrader: Back with Jacksonville
The Jaguars signed Schrader on Wednesday.
The third-year pro from Missouri was waived by the Jaguars on Monday, but it now appears the team had a change of heart. Schrader has appeared in one game for Jacksonville this season and failed to record a stat across four special-teams snaps. Now back with the Jaguars, he'll likely play a depth role in the team's backfield as the season progresses.
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Tyler Badie RB | DEN
Broncos' Tyler Badie: Dealing with shoulder injury
Badie (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
His participation in any capacity at the start of the week suggests Badie has a good chance to play this Sunday in London. He'll be facing a soft Jets defense, but likely in his usual role as a passing-down specialist while J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey continue to get most of the touches.
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Kene Nwangwu RB | NYJ
Jets' Kene Nwangwu: Misses practice Wednesday
Nwangwu (hamstring) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
The Iowa State product missed the Jets' last four games due to a hamstring injury sustained in the Week 1 loss to the Steelers. Nwangwu will likely carry an injury designation into the weekend if he's unable to upgrade to a full session Thursday or Friday. If the 27-year-old is sidelined for the Week 6 matchup against the Broncos, Isaiah Davis is likely to operate as the Jets' top kick returner.
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Tyrone Tracy Jr. RB | NYG
Giants' Tyrone Tracy: Cleared to face Eagles
Tracy (shoulder) does not carry an injury designation for Thursday's matchup against Philadelphia, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
Tracy was estimated as a limited participant at practice Monday and Tuesday, but he's now set to return from his two-game absence and take the field for Thursday Night Football. Rookie fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo has emerged as the Giants' lead back and has tallied at least 90 scrimmage yards in three consecutive contests, but he's also handled a tremendous workload, so Tracy could handle significant touches even if he operates in a clear reserve capacity versus the Eagles. Devin Singletary is also available behind Skattebo and Tracy.
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Keaton Mitchell RB | BAL
Ravens' Keaton Mitchell: Makes season debut in Week 5
Mitchell carried three times for eight yards and recorded a five-yard reception while returning five kickoffs for 120 yards in Sunday's 44-10 loss to the Texans.
A healthy inactive for each of Baltimore's first four games, Mitchell suited up Sunday as the Ravens looked to add some dynamism to the backfield to help compensate for the absence of dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring). Though he took the field for just four of the Ravens' 43 offensive snaps, Mitchell got the ball on each of those plays. His usage didn't come in garbage time either; three of his snaps came prior to halftime. Though he doesn't yet appear poised to leapfrog Justice Hill as the top change-of-pace option behind starter Derrick Henry, Mitchell could see his role grow slightly in subsequent weeks if the 1-4 Ravens are keen on getting another big-play threat on the field to spark an offense that has sputtered over the past two games.
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Tahj Brooks RB | CIN
Bengals' Tahj Brooks: Limited to special teams in Week 5
Brooks played all 12 of his snaps on special teams in Sunday's 37-24 loss to the Lions.
After drawing some positive buzz in the spring and during training camp, Brooks has been unable to find a role on offense through the first five weeks of the season after averaging just 3.5 yards per carry on 21 totes during the preseason. Though starter Chase Brown (2.5 YPC) has gotten off to a rough start to begin the campaign, veteran backup Samaje Perine has been serviceable as a change-of-pace option behind Brown and has the trust of the coaching staff for his pass-catching and pass-blocking skills. With that in mind, Brooks may have a difficult time seeing the field as a rookie unless one of Brown or Perine misses time due to an injury.
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Brashard Smith RB | KC
Chiefs' Brashard Smith: Four touches against Jaguars
Smith carried the ball once for four yards and caught all three of his targets for 32 yards in Monday's 31-28 loss to the Jaguars.
Smith played just six of the Chiefs 64 offensive snaps Monday, behind both Isiah Pacheco (40) and Kareem Hunt (21). The coaching staff has made an effort to give the rookie more opportunities, though his minimal playing time is limiting his ability to truly make a difference on the stat sheet. It is encouraging, however, that Smith saw four touches in his six snaps, showing that the coaching staff is making an effort to get him involved. The SMU product's playmaking ability and pass-catching skills should continue to earn him more playing time as the season goes on, especially with both Pacheco and Hunt struggling to get much going on the ground. Smith will have his next opportunity to take a step forward in Kansas City's offense when the Chiefs host the Lions in Week 6.