NFL Player News

McCaffrey (Achilles) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, but he's on track to play and expressed confidence that he's take on his usual workload in his season debut, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

While he notes that the 49ers plan to keep an eye on McCaffrey's usage while he makes his return from the bilateral Achilles tendinitis that has sidelined him all season, Garafolo relays that he "wouldn't be surprised" if the star running back is "in that ballpark" of around 20 touches. Garafolo's report of the 49ers' confidence in McCaffrey's health supports what Adam Schefter of ESPN reported few hours earlier, when Schefter noted that San Francisco's coaching staff believes the 28-year-old could have played in Week 9 had the team not been on bye. Even if McCaffrey ends up under some sort of light restriction with his snaps and touches in Week 10, fantasy managers who have been stashing him on the bench or in an injured-reserve slot all season shouldn't hesitate to activate him Sunday.

Brooks (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Giants in Munich, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The Panthers brought Brooks back from the reserve/non-football injury list Wednesday, but the decision to activate him may have had more to do with the running back's 21-day evaluation window coming to a close rather than him being deemed ready for game action. Brooks proceeded to turn in a trio of full practices for the second week in a row and had been listed as questionable heading into Sunday, but before turning him loose for his NFL debut, the Panthers will give the rookie running back more time to rebuild strength in his knee from the torn ACL he suffered Nov. 12 of last year during his final collegiate season at Texas. After the Germany game, the Panthers are on bye Week 11, so assuming Brooks experiences no setbacks during Week 12 practices, he should suit up Nov. 24 against the Chiefs. Brooks is likely to begin his career in a complementary role in the backfield behind Chuba Hubbard, whom Carolina signed to a four-year extension earlier this week.

McCaffrey (Achilles), who is officially questionable for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

McCaffrey is set to make his season debut after sitting out San Francisco's first eight games due to Achilles tendinitis. The extent of McCaffrey's expected workload isn't known, but the All-Pro running back is in line to start, and the 49ers believe he could have played last week, per Schefter. McCaffrey's return should be a big boost to fantasy managers who invested substantial capital in the star ball carrier in drafts this season, and it will also result in Jordan Mason -- who ranks fourth in the NFL with 685 rushing yards -- shifting to a backup role.

Cook was not elevated from the practice squad Saturday and therefore is not eligible to play Sunday against the Eagles, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

With Ezekiel Elliott back, Dallas opted to use the practice squad roster spot on wide receiver Jalen Cropper. With Dak Prescott (hamstring) sidelined indefinitely, the offense overall might struggle, and it's not as if the veteran Cook did much in his two appearances earlier this year, tallying just eight carries for 20 total yards across 23 offensive snaps. Cook could be elevated to the active roster at another point in the season.

Edwards (ankle), who is still listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Titans, was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

As a result, Edwards will likely miss the minimum four games after injuring his ankle back in Week 4. It'll be interesting to see just how much work the 29-year-old sees due to the emergence of rookie Kimani Vidal and the established bell-cow role of J.K. Dobbins, who has 70 carries over the last four weeks.

The Commanders signed Rodriguez from their practice squad to their active roster Saturday.

Rodriguez had been elevated from the practice squad three times prior to Saturday, including in Week 9 against the Giants, when he logged his first offensive snaps of the campaign and led Washington with 52 rushing yards on 11 carries. His opportunity in that game came as a result of Brian Robinson sitting out due to a hamstring injury, and Rodriguez will perhaps play a significant role again this Sunday versus Pittsburgh with Robinson set to be sidelined again. To make room on the roster for Rodriguez, the Commanders placed tight end Colson Yankoff (hamstring) on injured reserve.

McCaffrey (Achilles) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

This was a procedural move considering McCaffrey was already confirmed to play in Sunday's contest earlier this week. The All-Pro running back is expected to be immediately inserted into the lineup, although the exact playing time split appears to be undetermined. Both head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have been coy about McCaffrey's usage, and it doesn't seem as if fantasy managers will have any resolution to the question until after the Week 10 contest against the Buccaneers.

The Steelers cut Ward on Saturday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Ward played primarily on special teams during his four games with Pittsburgh this season, though he did log five carries for 22 yards on offense. Since he was cut after the trade deadline, the veteran running back will be subject to waivers. The Steelers also cut safety Terrell Edmunds (illness) on Saturday while activating receiver Ben Skowronek (shoulder) and linebacker Tyler Matakevich (hamstring) from IR.

Taylor is expected to be on the active roster for Sunday night's game against Detroit, as Dameon Pierce has been ruled out for Week 10.

Taylor was signed to the 53-man roster ahead of last week's contest, in which Pierce was inactive, and had three carries for 23 yards in a loss to the Jets. He's expected to be third on the depth chart behind Joe Mixon and Dare Ogunbowale.

Ogunbowale is expected to serve as the top backup to Joe Mixon in Week 10, as Dameon Pierce (hamstring) has been ruled out of Sunday night's game against the Lions.

Pierce will miss a second consecutive week, ceding the depth spots in the backfield to Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor. There may not be much for either back to do, unless Mixon sustains an injury; in the Week 9 loss to the Jets, Ogunbowale and Taylor combined for four touches and three targets (no catches).