NFL Player News

The Panthers list Brooks (knee) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, but head coach Dave Canales said that the running back is unlikely to be activated from the reserve/non-football injury list prior to the Week 9 contest, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Brooks concluded his third week of practice with the Panthers on Friday after he had his 21-day evaluation window opened back on Oct. 16. He turned in a trio of full practices from Wednesday through Friday and seemingly came out of those workouts without any setbacks to his surgically repaired right knee, but the Panthers are leaning toward giving the rookie running back more recovery time before clearing him for his NFL debut. Per Newton, Canales believes that Brooks will be ready to play Week 10 against the Giants in Munich, but Carolina will first need to add the 21-year-old to its 53-man roster to make that a reality. If activated next week, Brooks is likely to be eased into action in a complementary role behind Chuba Hubbard, who has excelled as Carolina's lead back this season.

Irving (toe) isn't participating in Friday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The rookie running back will sit out a second straight practice while he continues to manage a toe issue that head coach Todd Bowles said Thursday might bother Irving for the remainder of the season. Though Irving's practice time could be affected in the ensuing weeks as a result of the injury, the Buccaneers aren't yet anticipating that he'll have to miss any games because of it. Irving will still likely need to practice in at least a limited fashion to boost his odds of playing Monday in Kansas City, and if he's active for that contest, he'll presumably be part of a timeshare out of the backfield with Rachaad White and, to a lesser extent, Sean Tucker. In Tampa Bay's Week 8 loss to Atlanta, Irving played 41 percent of snaps and finished with nine carries for 44 yards and seven catches for 40 yards, while White played 55 percent of snaps and took on 11 touches. Tucker finished a distant third among the group in both snap share (10 percent) and usage (two carries, one reception).

Taylor carried three times for 23 yards in Thursday's 21-13 loss to the Jets in Week 9.

Because the Texans were without Dameon Pierce (groin) for the game, the club signed Taylor to the 53-man roster, and he was on the field for six snaps. Dare Ogunbowale (29 snaps) moved up to second on depth chart while Taylor filled a similar role he had earlier this season when he was activated from the practice squad.

Ogunbowale had one carry for minus-1 yards and failed to catch any of his three targets in Thursday's 21-13 loss to the Jets.

Ogunbowale was Houston's top backup at running back but did little in his 29 offensive snaps. With a healthy Joe Mixon, no backup would be expected to do much on the ground, but it was as a receiver where Ogunbowale could have made an impression. However, Houston's offensive line allowed pressure to quarterback C.J. Stroud, which made for a disjointed passing attack.

Allen rushed four times for nine yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Jets' 21-13 win over the Texans on Thursday night.

Allen logged 12 carries and a rushing touchdown in Week 8 against the Patriots, but four days later, the rookie was back under 10 rushing yards and without a catch for the third time in the last four games. Allen's usage is clearly volatile from week to week despite the success he's enjoyed at times, leaving him as an unreliable option for a Week 10 road matchup against the Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Hall rushed 15 times for 74 yards and brought in two of four targets for 11 yards in the Jets' 21-13 win over the Texans on Thursday night. He also fumbled once but recovered.

Hall saw his rushing opportunities stall somewhat with the Jets trying to overcome a deficit early in the second half, but he still finished with yet another impressive rushing performance. Hall has now averaged at least Thursday's 4.9 yards per carry in three of the past four games, a marked departure from his struggles with efficiency earlier in the season. Hall next takes aim at the Cardinals' vulnerable run defense in a Week 10 road matchup on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Mixon rushed 24 times for 106 yards and a touchdown in the Texans' 21-13 loss to the Jets on Thursday night. He also threw an incomplete pass on his only attempt.

The Texans' passing game struggled throughout most of the night, with C.J. Stroud taking eight sacks and 11 hits overall. However, Mixon continued to produce to his typically high standard, recording his fourth consecutive 100-yard tally and his fifth rushing touchdown (sixth overall) in the last four games on a three-yard run late in the second quarter. The veteran back did go without a target for the first time all season, but Mixon boasts as reliable a floor at his position as there is in the league heading into a Week 10 Sunday night showdown against the Lions on Nov. 10.

Vaki (knee) was a full participant during Thursday's practice.

Vaki was held out of Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury he likely picked up during the Lions' Week 8 win over the Titans. The injury doesn't appear to be severe, however, as he was able to practice without limitations Thursday. Barring any setbacks, Vaki will suit up and play in his usual special-teams role against the Packers on Sunday.

Miller (hamstring) was listed as a DNP on Thursday's practice report, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Miller has logged consecutive DNPs this week while working through a hamstring injury he picked up during the Saints' Week 8 loss to the Chargers. Unless he can practice in at least a limited capacity Friday, Miller would be in jeopardy of being ruled out ahead of Sunday's NFC South showdown against the Panthers. If he were to be inactive, Jamaal Williams (groin) would be in line to serve as the backup running back behind Alvin Kamara (hand/ribs).

Williams (groin) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's injury report, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Williams has logged consecutive limited practices while working through a groin injury. He's faring better than fellow running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) this week, and Williams would figure to operate as the No. 2 running back behind Alvin Kamara (hand/rib) on Sunday against the Panthers if Miller cannot play. Friday's injury report will provide more clarity on the backfield trio's status heading into Sunday's NFC South clash.