NFL Player News

Dowdle will start Sunday's game against the Cowboys, as David Newton of ESPN.com reports that Chuba Hubbard (calf) has been ruled out.

Dowdle was outstanding in Hubbard's absence against the Dolphins in Week 5, as the former rushed for a career-high 206 yards in a 27-24 Panthers win. Dowdle should continue to hold a near-monopoly on Carolina's backfield touches against his former team, the Cowboys, with Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas on hand to provide depth.

Hubbard (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Dallas.

Hubbard missed every practice for a second straight week, leaving Rico Dowdle as the leader of Carolina's backfield after his 206-yard rushing performance in last Sunday's win over the Dolphins. Dowdle gets another favorable matchup this coming Sunday, facing his former team in a game that's tied for the second-highest over/under (49.5) of Week 6.

Nwangwu (hamstring) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Broncos, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Nwangwu upgraded to full practice participation Friday to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game in London. He's set to reclaim primary kickoff return duties on special teams in what will be Nwangwu's first action since Week 1.

Hubbard (calf) wasn't taking part in individual drills during the early stages of practice Friday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Hubbard didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, and with the running back trending toward another DNP on Friday, David Newton of ESPN.com notes that it doesn't look promising with regard to Hubbard's status for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. If he ends up deemed out for the contest, the stage would be set for Rico Dowdle to work as Carolina's lead back versus his former team.

Demercado has been the second running back in Arizona's rotation in practice, and head coach Jonathan Gannon said Demercado won't face additional punishment for his costly fumble in this past Sunday's loss to the Titans, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.

Demercado appears set to reprise his change-of-pace role behind Michael Carter against the Colts on Sunday, which resulted in only thee touches for Demercado against Tennessee, one of which should have been a 72-yard touchdown run but instead resulted in a fumble at the goal line. Arizona could lean more on its backfield of Carter, Demercado and Bam Knight if starting quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) isn't available.

Carter has consistently been the first running back in Arizona's rotation in practice, suggesting he'll maintain the lead role Sunday against the Colts, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.

Carter turned 23 touches into 73 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the Cardinals' Week 5 loss to the Titans. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said Emari Demercado won't be punished for his costly Week 5 fumble, so Demercado likely will continue to mix in for passing situations, while Bam Knight is on hand as the third-string backfield option with James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) on injured reserve. Conner's out for the season, while Benson won't be back any earlier than Week 10 against the Seahawks.

Tracy rushed four times for six yards and wasn't targeted in Thursday's 34-17 win over the Eagles.

Tracy returned from a two-game absence due to a shoulder injury but ceded the vast majority of backfield opportunities to Cam Skattebo, who turned 21 touches into 110 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. Tracy was on the field for 21 offensive snaps compared to only four for Devin Singletary, but Skattebo led the backfield with 49 snaps in addition to getting the lion's share of rushing opportunities. With Skattebo finding success in a workhorse role, Tracy likely will be relegated to a change-of-pace role moving forward.

Skattebo rushed 19 times for 98 yards and three touchdowns and brought in both targets for 12 yards in the Giants' 34-17 win over the Eagles on Thursday night.

Backfield mate Tyrone Tracy returned from a two-game absence due to a shoulder injury, but Skattebo helped make the latter's availability a non-issue with his stellar play. The rookie was responsible for each of the Giants' last three touchdowns, recording a four-yard scoring run late in the first half and then going into the end zone from one yard out in both the third and fourth quarters. Skattebo also set a new single-game career high in rushing yards with Thursday's performance, and he notably gained 44 of his yards on the Giants' final, game-sealing drive that consumed the last 6:50 of the contest. Given his performance Thursday, Skattebo will head into another stiff challenge against the Broncos on Sunday, Oct. 19 as the unquestioned lead back.

Barkley rushed 12 times for 58 yards and brought in two of three targets for nine yards in the Eagles' 34-17 loss to the Giants on Thursday night.

Barkley was set up well on paper for a matchup against the Giants' porous run defense, but game script would eventually cap his opportunities and lead to his second-lowest carry total of the campaign. He was efficient with his opportunities, averaging an encouraging 4.8 yards per carry after posting 5.0 yards per tote in the Week 5 loss to the Broncos. Barkley has still to crack the 90-yard mark on the ground through six games, however, and he's still averaging just 3.4 yards per carry on the season thanks to a slow start to the season. Barkley will have a tough Week 7 challenge on his hands as well, considering the talented Vikings defense awaits in a Week 7 road matchup on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Homer (calf) logged a full practice Thursday.

Homer remains on injured reserve but was designated for return earlier this week, opening his 21-day practice window. Homer doesn't have much of an offensive role in Chicago when healthy.