NFL Player News

Carter is positioned alongside Emari Demercado as one of Arizona's top backfield options with Trey Benson (knee) on IR and recovering from arthroscopic surgery, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Carter, who was signed to the active roster from the practice squad Monday, now has a significant backfield opportunity with Adam Schefter of ESPN reporting that Benson will miss 4-to-6 weeks and James Conner (foot) already out for the year. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said "we'll see how the week goes" when asked whether Carter or Demercado will start Sunday's matchup against the Titans, suggesting that reps remain up for grabs. Carter appeared in three regular-season games with the Cardinals in 2024, in which span he logged 35 carries for 131 yards (3.7 YPC) and one score, while securing all 11 of his targets for 57 yards. In theory, Carter projects more for early-down work while Demercado is more suited to a pass-catching role, but if either tailback demonstrates a hot hand he could secure the No. 1 gig until Benson returns.

Nwangwu (hamstring) was estimated as a non-practice participant on Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The Jets did not hold a practice on Wednesday, so Nwangwu's lack of participation is an estimate. Nwangwu has missed the last three games. He played three snaps on special teams in Week 1, returning one kickoff for 33 yards.

Sanders (knee/ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Sanders exited this past Sunday's tie with the Packers just before halftime due to an ankle injury, but coach Brian Schottenheimer told Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News on Monday that the running back was trending toward being able to play Week 5 at the Jets. On Wednesday, Sanders himself said he had an MRI on his right ankle, and the Cowboys will have a better idea of his upcoming availability, or lack thereof, if he's able to run by Friday, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. As such, Sanders' status will be monitored as the week goes on to see if he'll be able to continue in his complementary role behind Javonte Williams on Sunday.

Spears (ankle) was officially limited in Wednesday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The Titans officially moved Spears to the designated-to-return-to-practice list Wednesday, so it's unsurprising to see him with a cap on his activity level as he practices for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain in August. Per John Glennon of NashvillePost.com, Spears said he's taking it one day at a time in regards to the possibility of his playing Sunday against Arizona. Before being eligible to suit up, Tennessee will have to officially activate Spears from IR. At that point, he'll join Tony Pollard atop the team's backfield.

Goodson (groin) did not practice Wednesday.

Goodson missed the first two games of the season with an elbow injury but injured his groin in Week 4 against the Rams. Goodson has played a total of eight offensive snaps across two appearances, rushing twice for six yards while catching one pass for no gain.

Hubbard (calf) didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough.

Hubbard capped last week with two limited practices due to a calf injury before being listed as questionable ahead of a Week 4 matchup with the Patriots. He proceeded to be active but earned a season-low 51 percent snap share on his way to 13 touches for 69 yards from scrimmage. Coach Dave Canales told Steve Reed of the Associated Press on Wednesday that Hubbard requires more time this week to recover from the calf issue and is "day-to-day." As a result, Hubbard's status bears watching as the weekend draws closer to get a sense of his odds to suit up Sunday versus the Dolphins.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Mitchell "has a chance" to play Sunday versus the Texans, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Mitchell has been a healthy scratch for each of Baltimore's first four regular-season games, but with Lamar Jackson (hamstring) expected to sit out Week 5 against Houston, the team could deploy a different backfield approach. If active Sunday, Mitchell will be in position to compete for complementary snaps behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill on offense, as well as with Rasheen Ali on special teams.

Jefferson signed with the Cardinals' practice squad Wednesday.

With both James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) being placed on injured reserve, Jefferson's signing provides a depth option at running back. He last played for the Lions in 2024, taking six carries for 22 yards over 12 offensive snaps. Jefferson could be elevated to the Cardinals' active roster as soon as the Week 5 matchup against the Titans.

The Cardinals officially placed Benson (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Arizona has lost its top two running backs in back-to-back weeks -- first James Conner to season-ending foot surgery following Week 3 and now Benson to a knee injury for at least the next four games after Week 4. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported earlier Wednesday that Benson underwent arthroscopic surgery for a meniscus injury and was slated to be out 4-to-6 weeks, so even if he isn't able to return from IR when first eligible Sunday, Nov. 9 in Seattle, he should be back in the fold not long after that. For the foreseeable future, Emari Demercado and Michael Carter line up as the best bets to pace the Cardinals backfield, while Bam Knight also is on the active roster and D'Ernest Johnson and Jermar Jefferson are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.

Spears (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The designation opens up a three-week window for Spears, who remains on IR, to practice with the team. In the meantime, he won't count against the team's 53-man roster, but barring any setbacks, Spears -- who is eligible to return to practice Wednesday -- is moving toward bolstering the Titans backfield, which has been led by Tony Pollard through the first four weeks of the season.