NFL Player News

Herbert rushed once for 14 yards in Sunday's 44-38 loss to the Steelers.

Herbert's one carry Sunday was his first since joining the Bengals at the trade deadline. The 26-year-old running back played just six offensive snaps against the Steelers after playing a total of six offensive snaps across his first two appearances. With such limited usage behind lead back Chase Brown, Herbert remains nothing more than an insurance policy for fantasy purposes. As the season progresses, it's possible the fourth-year back could continue to see his snap percentage gradually increase if the Bengals decide to lighten Brown's workload down the stretch. Herbert will look to get more involved when the Bengals visit the Cowboys in Week 14.

Chandler had two carries for two yards in Sunday's win over Arizona.

Chander played five snaps on offense as he got some extra time when Aaron Jones was given some rest after losing two fumbles. Chandler is still clearly the third running back, so he may not get many more snaps unless Jones or Cam Akers is injured.

Akers had four carries for 22 yards in Sunday's win over Arizona.

Akers played 16 of the offense's 53 snaps while Ty Chandler played only five snaps. Starting running back Aaron Jones saw 28 snaps but fumbled on twice on eight touches and sat for a long stretch at the end of the first half. Akers could take on a larger workload if Jones can't solve his ball security issues.

Ekeler said Tuesday that he's still dealing with concussion symptoms and neck pain, and he remains in the league's concussion protocol, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler said he doesn't remember walking off the field Nov. 24 against the Cowboys, or indeed anything until he got in the ambulance to go to the hospital. The veteran running back also states he had memory loss following his Week 3 concussion earlier in the season. All of these symptoms led to Ekeler's placement on injured reserve ahead of Week 13, sidelining him until at least Week 18. Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez are set to handle backfield duties while Ekeler is out.

The Saints cut Kibodi from the practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Since failing to make the Saints' 53-man roster at the end of training camp, Kibodi has been on New Orleans' practice squad for two separate stints. He could be invited back on the practice squad for the tail end of the 2024 regular season, but the 26-year-old running back has the opportunity to explore other opportunities.

The Panthers signed Bailey to their practice squad Tuesday.

Bailey was last with the Chiefs' practice squad but was cut Nov. 6. He signed with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent out of TCU earlier this year.

The Panthers placed Johnson (undisclosed) on the practice-squad/injured list Tuesday.

Johnson will be sidelined for a minimum of four games. The 23-year-old went undrafted out of Mississippi State earlier this year and spent parts of the offseason with the Titans and Panthers. He's been on Carolina's practice squad all season but has yet to appear in a regular-season contest.

San Francisco claimed Abanikanda off waivers Tuesday.

Despite being on the 53-man roster, Abanikanda was inactive for each of the Jets' 12 regular-season games before being waived Monday. With Christian McCaffrey (knee) placed on injured reserve and Jordan Mason (ankle) set to follow suit, Abanikanda should see meaningful playing time as the 49ers' backup running back behind fourth-round rookie Isaac Guerendo while Patrick Taylor is available to be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. Abanikanda appeared in six regular-season games for the Jets in 2023 and logged 22 carries for 70 yards while adding seven catches (on 11 targets) for 43 yards.

The Bears signed Felton to their practice squad Tuesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The 26-year-old running back spent part of the 2024 offseason with the Bears before being cut in August. He latched on with the Colts for a few weeks but was let go ahead of Week 1. Felton hasn't appeared in a regular-season contest since 2022 with the Browns.

The 49ers placed McCaffrey (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Just as head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Monday would be the case, McCaffrey was moved off the 53-man roster after the running back suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee during Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills. Shanahan said that McCaffrey will likely need around six weeks to recover from the injury, so he'll miss the rest of the regular season and may return to action only if the 5-7 49ers make a surprise playoff run. McCaffrey should be back to full strength for the offseason program and will be entering the final guaranteed year of his contract in 2025. After spending the first nine weeks of the season on IR while recovering from a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey appeared in just four games in 2024, failing to score a touchdown while carrying 50 times for 202 yards and recording 15 receptions for 146 yards on 19 targets.