NFL Player News

Spears (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Spears has missed the Titans' last two games, but head coach Brian Callahan noted Wednesday that the running back "should be good to go" Sunday against the Patriots, per Wyatt. While Spears seemingly has a good chance to play this weekend, it's notable that fellow running back Tony Pollard missed Wednesday' session with a foot injury. The activity of both of the Titans' top two running backs will thus warrant monitoring over the next two days before Tennessee determines whether either or both carries an injury designation into Sunday's game.

Miller (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday.

Miller suffered a hamstring injury early in the second half of this past Sunday's game against the Chargers, which was severe enough for him to be ruled out for the rest of the contest. Miller will have two more chances to practice in at least a limited capacity before Sunday's game against the Panthers. If Miller is unable to suit up, Jamaal Williams would step into the backup role behind lead back Alvin Kamara.

Williams (groin) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday's injury report.

Williams played 30 snaps (21 on offense, nine on special teams) during the Saints' Week 8 loss to the Chargers and finished with just two carries for four yards. It was his highest snap count since Week 1, but that was due to Kendre Miller suffering a hamstring injury early in the second half. Miller was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's injury report, and if he cannot play against the Panthers on Sunday, Williams would reprise his role as the No. 2 running back behind Alvin Kamara, assuming Williams is able to overcome his groin injury.

Gibson was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a toe injury.

In this past Sunday's 25-22 win over the Jets, Gibson logged 13 snaps on offense, while rushing five times for seven yards in the contest. As long as Rhamondre Stevenson -- who finished with 20 carries in the Week 8 win -- is available, Gibson's fantasy value is limited while he continues to handle a complementary role out of the backfield.

Pollard sat out Wednesday's practice with a foot injury, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The Titans provided no indication that Pollard was nursing an injury during Sunday's 52-14 loss at Detroit, as he took 24 touches for 117 yards while playing 80 percent of the snaps on offense. Even if the foot injury doesn't keep him from playing Week 9 against New England, Pollard faces a risk of his role being scaled back, as fellow running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) managed a limited practice Wednesday after missing the past two games.

Etienne (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Etienne was a limited practice participant throughout the past two weeks and ended up missing both games, but the Jaguars seem to have more optimism that he'll be able to play this Sunday in Philadelphia. Fellow running back Tank Bigsby (ankle) was also a limited practice participant Wednesday, listed with a new injury that he likely picked up during the Week 8 loss to Green Bay. It's unclear how backfield work will be divided once both players are healthy; Bigsby has done well in the lead runner, but head coach Doug Pederson has said multiple times he still views Etienne as the team's starter.

Dowdle (illness) isn't listed on the Cowboys' first Week 9 practice report issued Wednesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Prior to this past Sunday's game at San Francisco, Dowdle was reported to have an illness that left him questionable to suit up. He was inactive for the Week 8 loss, but the backfield trio of Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook and Hunter Luepke didn't fare well in his stead, combining for 17 carries for 46 yards (2.7 per) and two catches (on two targets) for 14 yards. Dowdle told Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he had a fever of 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit to go with chills Sunday, but his lack of listing Wednesday indicates he's past the ailment and is in line to retain his No. 1 role out of the Cowboys backfield Week 9 in Atlanta.

Bigsby was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury.

Both of the Jaguars' top two running backs were limited to begin Week 9 prep, as Travis Etienne (hamstring) also operated with a cap on his reps after missing the past two games. Head coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday that he "feels good" about Etienne's chances of playing Sunday against the Eagles, which could set the stage for a backfield timeshare between Bigsby and Etienne in Week 9, provided Bigsby's ankle issue doesn't affect his availability. While Etienne was sidelined the past two weeks, D'Ernest Johnson operated as the Jaguars' primary passing-down back, but Bigsby served as the clear lead runner (44 carries for 196 yards and two touchdowns).

Vaki (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.

Detroit's No. 4 running back recorded one total tackle across 22 special-teams snaps in Sunday's blowout win, however, it appears he sustained a knee injury in the process. The rookie from Utah could be in jeopardy of missing Week 9's matchup against the Packers if he doesn't upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday.

Kamara (hand/rib) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Kamara has been tending to fractured ribs since Week 3 and a broken right hand Week 5, which have regularly resulted in a cap on his practice reps in the meantime. In six games during that span, he's racked up 522 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns on 119 touches, but he's averaged only 3.6 yards per carry and 6.5 yards per catch. Kamara has a pair of sessions remaining this week to get back to full participation or else potentially risking entering the weekend with a designation for Sunday's visit to the Panthers.