NFL Player News

Pierce (groin) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It's a new injury for Pierce, as he previously battled hamstring issues earlier in the season. Pierce rushed one time for four yards in Sunday's Week 8 win over the Colts. If Pierce can't play in Thursday night's date with the Jets, Dare Ogunbowale would handle change-of-pace duties behind Joe Mixon.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Mason aggravated his existing left shoulder sprain in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Cowboys and is viewed as day-to-day, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Shanahan said Mason could have returned to the game after he went to the locker room just before halftime. Mason, however, never played another snap, as Isaac Guerendo handled backfield duties the rest of the way. With Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) trending toward a return from injured reserve after the 49ers' Week 9 bye, Mason's days as San Francisco's lead back appear to be either numbered or over.

Johnson carried once for three yards and caught one of two targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Packers.

The 28-year-old totaled 20 touches in the previous two games with Travis Etienne (hamstring) unavailable, but both of those contests were blowouts. Tank Bigsby dominated the backfield work Sunday as Jacksonville nearly took Green Bay to overtime. Johnson likely won't be a fantasy-relevant option but should continue to see some chances in passing situations until Etienne is back.

Hill had two carries for five yards and added a 14-yard reception Sunday against the Browns.

Hill played one of his higher snap shares of the season but didn't make much of an impact in the box score with three total touches for 19 yards. The common theme of Hill's useful fantasy games this season has been target volume. In the five games in which Hill had fewer than three targets, he has averaged 4.08 PPR points. Additionally, it's difficult to predict the game scripts where the running backs will be active in the passing game. Baltimore hosts a tough Denver defense in Week 9.

The Steelers signed Ward to their active roster ahead of Monday night's matchup against the Giants, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Ward has joined the Steelers' active roster for the fourth consecutive week ahead of Monday night's contest. He's expected to add depth to a Steelers running back room missing Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) again in Week 8, while also likely contributing on special teams.

Chestnut rushed the ball seven times for 32 yards in Sunday's 52-14 loss to the Lions.

Tyjae Spears (hamstring) was sidelined for a second consecutive week, which allowed Chestnut to see the highest carry total of his career. All of his rushing attempts came in the fourth quarter of the blowout loss, and he'll return to a special-teams role when Spears can return.

Brooks had four carries for 16 yards and one reception for one yard in Sunday's 30-27 victory over the Jaguars.

Brooks was the third Packers running back to get work Sunday, but he finished with just one fewer touch than fellow reserve Emanuel Wilson, and he also wound up playing 17 snaps to Wilson's 12. There hasn't been an official changing of the guard behind starter Josh Jacobs, and another ball carrier -- MarShawn Lloyd (ankle) -- could be back soon, but Brooks is more than an afterthought in the Green Bay backfield at this point.

Wilson had four carries for five yards and two receptions for minus-2 yards in Sunday's 30-27 victory over the Jaguars.

Wilson's snap count has been trending down for weeks, and he did not even finish second among Packers running backs in that department Week 8, as Chris Brooks took the field for 17 snaps while Wilson was out there for only 12. Green Bay figures to lean on top back Josh Jacobs in Week 9 before going on bye in Week 10, so those who have held onto Wilson should be evaluating other options.

Estime rushed once for four yards in Sunday's 28-14 win over the Panthers.

Estime continued to be an afterthought in Denver's offense, playing just five offensive snaps for the second straight week and handling just one carry in the contest. Meanwhile, teammates Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin played 42 and 23 snaps, respectively. Barring an injury to either Williams or McLaughlin, the 21-year-old Estime remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 9 matchup against the Ravens in which the rookie should continue to see minimal usage as Denver's No. 3 running back.

Wright carried the ball twice for 18 yards during Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Cardinals.

Wright continues to look explosive in limited opportunities, but it's De'Von Achane (10 carries) and Raheem Mostert (nine carries) who are entrenched as the leaders of Miami's backfield. Without one of Achane or Mostert missing time, or the Dolphins seeing a positive game script the likes of which has evaded the team this season, Wright's usage will remain limited.