NFL Player News

Hunter (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Texans, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Hunter is a healthy scratch Sunday, and the rookie fourth-rounder's next opportunity to make his NFL regular-season debut is Week 2 against the Titans on Sunday, Sept. 14. Cody Schrader and Blake Corum will serve as the Rams' backup running backs behind Kyren Williams.

Brooks (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Rams.

The Texans will go with a four-man backfield that includes Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale and Woody Marks, which means Brooks will be in street clothes for Sunday's regular-season opener. Brooks' next chance to play is Week 2 against the Buccaneers on Monday, Sept. 15, though he's unlikely to play in that contest unless there's an injury in Houston's backfield.

Mullings (ankle) is listed as active for Sunday's season opener against the Broncos.

Mullings approached the contest listed as questionable after logging a limited practice Friday. With his Week 1 availability confirmed, he and Julius Chestnut are poised to see complementary snaps Sunday in a Tennessee backfield that's led by Tony Pollard.

James (finger) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

James broke his finger in early August, which limited his practice participation this past week. He won't play in Sunday's regular-season opener, but the good news for the 49ers is that Christian McCaffrey (calf) has been cleared to play, with Brian Robinson and Isaac Guerendo serving in rotation. James' next chance to make his 2025 regular-season debut is Week 2 against the Saints on Sunday, Sept. 14 in New Orleans.

McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

The Broncos will go with a three-man backfield of J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie, which means McLaughlin will observe Sunday's regular-season opener in street clothes. McLaughlin's next opportunity to play is Week 2 against the Colts on Sunday, Sept. 14, though he's unlikely to see any playing time -- if any -- unless there's an injury in the Broncos' backfield.

McCaffrey (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

McCaffrey's status heading into Week 1 was cloudy after he was limited in Thursday's practice due to the calf issue before sitting out Friday's session entirely. However, after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that McCaffrey was a "big participant' in Saturday's team walk-through, the 49ers were apparently satisfied enough with the star tailback's condition to clear him for the season opener. Though McCaffrey looks poised to handle his usual lead role out of the backfield, the 49ers could still aim to ease him with a lighter workload than initially planned if the team still has any lingering concern about the health of his calf.

Nwangwu (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Nwangwu picked up the injury in the first quarter and is being evaluated by trainers to determine the severity of the injury. Arian Smith would figure to join Xavier Gipson on kick returns if Nwangwu is unable to return.

The Texans envision Chubb serving as their "bell-cow running back" in Sunday's season opener versus the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Joe Mixon (foot/ankle) racked up 12 touchdowns and 1,325 yards in 12 games as the Texans' lead back in 2024, but he'll miss at least the first four contests of 2025 after being placed on the reserve/non-football injury list Aug. 26. With Mixon out of the picture for at least the first quarter of the season, Chubb looks poised to have an extended runway to lead the Houston backfield. Chubb's final season in Cleveland was cut short by a foot fracture that he sustained Dec. 15, but he avoided surgery and has reportedly looked healthy and effective in training camp after joining Houston on a one-year deal in June. When available, Chubb has proven to be one of the NFL's most efficient runners, though he averaged a career-worst 3.3 yards per carry over his eight games in Cleveland a season ago. He could be in line for some improvement now that he's further removed from the major knee surgery he required in September 2023, and while he looks poised to dominate the early-down work out of the Houston backfield, Chubb has never been a major contributor in the passing game and could cede most of those reps to Dameon Pierce, Woody Marks or Dare Ogunbowale.

Knight (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Knight will not suit up Week 1, as the Cardinals will roll with a three-man backfield of James Conner, Trey Benson and Emari Demercado. Knight has not played in a regular-season game since 2023 with the Lions, and his next opportunity to see the field is Week 2 against the Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Carter is inactive for Sunday's regular-season opener against Tampa Bay, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Carter made Atlanta's initial 53-man roster following a strong preseason, but he's not expected to see much work on offense this season with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier heading the Falcons' backfield. Carlos Washington, who was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, will serve as the team's third RB in Week 1.