NFL Player News

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that Boone will work as the No. 2 running back behind Chuba Hubbard with Jonathon Brooks (knee) out for the year and Raheem Blackshear (chest) considered day-to-day, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

Boone, who Carolina signed to the practice squad back in October, could get a chance to be elevated Week 15 against Dallas, as currently Hubbard is the only healthy running back on the Panthers' active roster. If Blackshear is forced to sit out versus the Cowboys, Boone may even be called upon to work as the top backup to Hubbard. Carolina's other most notable depth option, Miles Sanders (ankle), won't be eligible to return from IR until Week 16, at the earliest.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Guerendo has been diagnosed with a foot sprain and will be considered day-to-day heading into Thursday's game against the Rams, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Shanahan said that the team will "evaluate [Guerendo] over the next few days, to see if he'll have a shot" to suit up for Thursday Night Football, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Before exiting Sunday's 38-13 win over the Bears in the fourth quarter, Guerendo compiled 128 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns while operating as San Francisco's lead backfield option. In the event that Guerendo isn't able to play Thursday, Patrick Taylor will be the next man up at running back, with Christian McCaffrey (knee), Jordan Mason (ankle) and Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) all on IR. The 49ers also have Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Israel Abanikanda available behind Taylor.

Blackshear (chest) is considered day-to-day after suffering a blunt-force contusion during Sunday's loss to the Eagles, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Blackshear's injury was serious enough in nature that he went to the hospital after sustaining it, but he was ultimately released and it doesn't appear he'll be out on a long-term basis. According to Steve Reed of the Associated Press, Mike Boone will step into the No. 2 running back role while Blackshear is evaluated.

Hubbard has an unimpeded path to close out the 2024 campaign in a workhorse role out of the backfield for Carolina, with Jonathan Brooks (knee) having suffered a season-ending ACL tear during Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Eagles, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Hubbard has established himself as the clear No. 1 option leading the Panthers' rushing attack this season, and he rushed 26 times for 92 yards and one touchdown versus Philadelphia, but there had been an assumption that Brooks' involvement would ramp up down the stretch. With the rookie second-round pick having re-torn his right ACL, though, Carolina's roster no longer features anyone even resembling a threat to Hubbard's dominant share of reps. Raheem Blackshear (chest) is considered day-to-day, while veteran Miles Sanders (ankle) won't be eligible to come off IR until Week 16 against Arizona, at the earliest. Head coach Dave Canales said practice-squad player Mike Boone currently is in line to handle the No. 2 role behind Hubbard at practice and potentially Week 15 versus Dallas, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced Monday that Brooks suffered another tear of his right ACL during Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Eagles and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Brooks will undergo surgery to address his ACL re-injury, per Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. The rookie second-round pick had to be carted off the field in the second quarter of Sunday's loss after sustaining a non-contact injury. The development is brutal for Brooks, who made his NFL debut and returned from IR just three games ago, ultimately playing only 23 offensive snaps in his rookie campaign. Brooks now will face the task of rehabbing from his second ACL tear in 13 months, with both injuries having occurred in the same knee. With Raheem Blackshear (chest) dealing with an injury of his own, Chuba Hubbard remains in line for a clear workhorse role out of the backfield heading into a Week 15 matchup against the Cowboys.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Irving (back) had his back tighten up during Sunday's 28-13 win against the Raiders, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Bowles said Irving's availability Week 15 against the Chargers will depend on whether his back loosens up in time for the road matchup. In the event that Irving isn't able to get right in time to suit up in Los Angeles, Rachaad White will be positioned to lead Tampa Bay's backfield, with Sean Tucker handling the No. 2 role.

Patterson rushed four times for three yards while securing his lone target for minus-2 yards during Sunday's 27-14 win over the Browns.

Patterson had one of his best fantasy performances of the season during last week's high-scoring win over the Bengals, but he didn't see much playing time on offense against Cleveland in Week 14. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have seen most of the work out of the backfield this year, and Patterson's fantasy value is limited as long as those two are healthy.

Warren carried the ball nine times for 47 yards while securing two of five targets for 25 yards during Sunday's 27-14 win over the Browns.

Warren was on the field for 52 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday, outpacing Najee Harris' 42 percent and Cordarrelle Patterson's 14 percent. Warren responded by topping 50 yards from scrimmage for a seventh consecutive game, but Harris was the only Pittsburgh back to reach the end zone with a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Warren has carved out a somewhat consistent fantasy role, but his ceiling is limited as long as he's sharing the backfield with Harris.

Ford rushed the ball 10 times for 28 yards and caught three of four targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 27-14 loss to Pittsburgh.

Ford's 13 touches were his most since coming back a hamstring injury in Week 9. He was on the field for 40 snaps, more than starter Nick Chubb (26) for the second consecutive game, but that has more to do with Cleveland playing from behind. The Browns have attempted more than 40 passes six times in the seven games since Jameis Winston has taken over at quarterback. That's a situation that benefits Ford, who leads the backfield with 36 targets.

Spears recorded six carries for 21 yards in Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Jaguars. He added one reception on two targets for two yards.

Spears remained the backup to Tony Pollard in the loss, though he did see a significant increase in involvement compared to his one carry in Week 13. Spears had a strong pass-catching role to begin the season, though his current lack of involvement as a receiver further dings his fantasy value.