NFL Player News

Irving rushed 21 times for 165 yards and a touchdown and brought in two of three targets for 10 yards and another score in the Buccaneers' 24-16 win over the Cowboys on Thursday.

The early portion of Irving's night offered no hint the third-year back would finish with a new career high in rushing yards, as he repeatedly scuffled for running room throughout most of the first half. However, he did put the Buccaneers' first points on the board with a five-yard touchdown catch on the second play of the second quarter, and he subsequently ripped off a nifty 72-yard scamper that saw him change direction several times within the first 10 yards on the first play of the second half. Irving would go on to cap off the next possession with a one-yard touchdown run, and he sealed Tampa Bay's victory with a 22-yard scamper on the final drive of the night that set up a pair of Jalon Daniels' kneel downs. Irving's carry total was also a season-high figure, and he's now averaging 5.3 yards per carry heading into a Week 6 home matchup against the Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 18.

The Packers signed Strong (hamstring) to their active roster from their practice squad Thursday.

Strong was tending to a hamstring injury early in the season, but now he's presumably back in game shape. Green Bay is dead last in rushing offense by a wide margin through the first four weeks of the season, so there's no great reason for the team not to give Strong a couple opportunities to tote the rock once he has acclimated himself. Over 14 games with the Browns in 2024, he carried the ball 26 times for 108 yards, and he caught 14 of 22 targets for 104 yards.

Gilliam (ankle) did not participate at the Patriots' practice Thursday.

Gilliam opened the week as a limited participant Wednesday, but he took a step backwards one day later. The fullback is nursing an ankle injury that he suffered in the team's Week 4 win over the Bills, and he'll have one more chance to practice before Sunday's contest versus Las Vegas.

McNichols (quadriceps) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.

The Commanders opened McNichols' 21-day practice window to be activated from IR Wednesday, but it's still up in the air whether that activation will happen ahead of Sunday's game versus the Giants. He'll likely at least have to manage a full practice before returning to game action, and Friday will be his last chance to do that for Week 5.

Holani (ribs) remained limited in Thursday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Holani played through the issue last Sunday against the Chargers and turned eight touches into 20 yards as the change-of-pace back behind Emanuel Wilson. He should fill a similar role again this Sunday against the 49ers. Holani has minimal fantasy appeal.

Black (illness) upgraded to a full practice Thursday, Harrison Rich of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Black was limited Wednesday but appears to be fine ahead of Sunday's Week 5 date with the Seahawks. The rookie running back has plodded to 2.5 yards per carry over the last three weeks and is merely a bench stash in fantasy as Christian McCaffrey's top backup.

Love (ankle) stayed limited at Thursday's practice, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Love emerged from a Week 4 loss at the Giants with a new ankle injury that's not related to the high-ankle sprain that he tended to in August. Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not he heads into the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game against the Giants.

The Panthers signed Tyus to the practice squad Thursday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Tyus was on the Panthers' 53-man roster for two games this season, though he didn't spend a lot of time on the field. He was waived Tuesday to clear a roster spot. However, after clearing waivers, Tyus will rejoin the practice squad.

Brooks (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

Brooks was held out of practice for a second straight day, and his consecutive absences could put his availability in jeopardy for Sunday's game against the Bears. Perhaps out of concern for Brooks' status heading into the weekend, the Packers signed Pierre Strong off their practice squad Thursday to give the team another healthy option in the backfield behind MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson. If Brooks ends up sitting out Sunday, Strong could end up handling some of Brooks' responsibilities on passing downs.

Stevenson (knee) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

A limited participant in both of the Patriots' first two Week 5 practices, Stevenson still appears to be managing the knee issue he sustained late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Bills. The fact that he hasn't been held out of practice entirely is a strong sign that Stevenson will be available for this Sunday's matchup with the Raiders, though he might need to upgrade to full participation Friday to head into the weekend without an injury designation.