NFL Player News

Jacobs (ankle) took part in practice Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Jacobs appeared to be favoring his lower body at times during this past Sunday's win at Jacksonville, and coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic on Wednesday that the running back "rolled" his ankle late in the fourth quarter. As such, Jacobs didn't practice Wednesday, but he also relayed that he intends to suit up Sunday versus the Lions. Thursday's practice report will reveal how much work he was able to handle.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that Irving (toe) may not practice until closer to the end of Week 9 preparations and that he'll likely have to deal with his toe injury all season, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Irving played this past weekend after logging a DNP-DNP-LP practice pattern, and Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports that a similar ramp-up regimen will likely be employed in advance of Monday's matchup against the Chiefs. It wouldn't ultimately be surprising to see Irving regularly practice in such a capacity throughout the season, given Bowles' comments. During Week 8's loss to the Falcons, Irvin rushed nine times for 44 yards and brought in all seven targets for 40 yards, working as part of a timeshare with Rachaad White. With Mike Evans (hamstring) out for Week 9 and Chris Godwin (ankle) done for the year, both Irving and White could play key roles in the receiving game versus Kansas City.

While head coach Andy Reid noted Thursday that Pacheco (fibula) is "doing fantastic," the running back is not ready to return to practice this week, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

The report suggests that Pacheco -- who injured his fibula Sept. 15 -- is unlikely to practice next week, either, but that's not especially surprising, considering the initial estimate that he'd miss 6-to-8 weeks. With that context, as well as Reid's encouraging comments Thursday, in mind, it does seem that Pacheco could start inching toward a return to action in a couple of weeks or so, but for the time being Kareem Hunt will continue to lead Kansas City's backfield.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that Tracy (concussion) will be a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Tracy will don a red no-contact jersey during the session, but the running back appears to have advanced to the fourth phase of the five-step concussion protocol after not practicing in any fashion Wednesday, two days after he suffered a concussion late in Monday's loss to the Steelers. In order to make himself available for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Tracy will still need to be cleared for contact in addition to receiving clearance from an independent neurologist, but Daboll suggests that the rookie out of Purdue is "trending in the right direction" to play this weekend. After amassing 419 yards from scrimmage and scoring two touchdowns over the past four games, Tracy appears to have established himself as the Giants' lead back over Devin Singletary, who opened the season as the team's starter.

Mitchell (knee) was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday's injury report.

Keaton began the regular season on the reserve/PUP list while in the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACL in his left knee that he sustained in Week 15 of the 2023 campaign. His 21-day practice window opened Oct. 23, and while he was a limited participant all of last week, he was able to practice without restrictions Wednesday. If he's able to log full practices over the next two days, there's a chance he could be activated off IR and make his 2024 regular-season debut against the Broncos on Sunday. If he does return, Mitchell would serve as the Ravens' No. 3 running back behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill.

Ford (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Ford has missed two straight games, but his limited participation in practices last Friday and to kick off Week 9 prep suggest that he has a chance to suit up this weekend against the Chargers. That said, with Nick Chubb having reclaimed the top job in Cleveland's backfield, Ford's fantasy upside will have taken a notable hit whenever he makes his return to action.

The Giants cut Johnson from the practice squad Wednesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Johnson last appeared for the Giants in Week 4 against the Cowboys, during which he played 15 snaps (seven on offense, eight on special teams) and did not record a stat. The veteran fullback will look to join a team in need of blocking out of the backfield.

The Texans signed Taylor off the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday.

Taylor was elevated by the Texans to the active roster three times this season, and by being signed to the 53-man squad, he'll be able to suit up for Houston again. He'll serve as the Texans' No. 3 running back behind Joe Mixon and Dare Ogunbowale for Thursday's game against the Jets due to Dameon Pierce being ruled out with a groin injury. Taylor has logged seven carries for 21 yards while adding two catches for no gain across his three regular-season outings.

Ali (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

The rookie running back from Marshall has been sidelined for each of the Ravens' last two games due to an ankle issue, and Wednesday's DNP suggests he could be in jeopardy of missing even more time. Ali likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to suit up for Baltimore's Week 9 matchup against the Broncos.

White was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a quadricep injury.

White's injury doesn't seem to be a major concern, considering he was still able to practice in some fashion after head coach Antonio Pierce expressed a desire earlier Wednesday to get the third-year running back some more work moving forward. Pierce said Wednesday that Alexander Mattison remains the starter but could cede more snaps to White, who showed "some positives last year" and now has "got to get out of his funk," according to Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site. Realistically, both are better suited for backup roles, but it's possible the pendulum swings back to White at some point in the coming weeks.