NFL Player News

Dallas (toe) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

When Minnesota has all of its key backfield options available, Dallas is expected to play exclusively on special teams, but he'll likely be needed to serve as a passing-down or change-of-pace option at the very least during Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, provided the toe issue doesn't keep him from playing. Jordan Mason (thumb) won't be eligible to return from injured reserve until Week 7, and Aaron Jones -- who handled 23 touches and an 81 percent snap share in the Week 2 win over the Bears -- joined Dallas as a limited participant in Thursday's practice. If Jones ends up sitting out Sunday or has his snaps managed more carefully, Dallas could be in store for a more prominent role after he was limited to eight offensive snaps and three touches in Week 2.

Miller was a non-participant in Thursday's practice due to an illness, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

After being a healthy inactive Week 2 win over the Ravens while the Saints welcomed Alvin Kamara (knee) back from a one-game absence, Miller will now have to overcome an illness as he looks to re-enter the backfield mix Sunday versus the Raiders. Even if he makes a full recovery from the ailment, Miller may need No. 1 back Travis Etienne (hamstring) to sit out the Week 3 game in order to avoid another inactive status. Etienne has been limited in both of the Saints' practices this week, clouding his availability for Sunday.

Barkley (shoulder) said Thursday that his MRI "went well" when asked about his chances of playing in Monday's game at Chicago, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Barkley departed after the Eagles' first offensive snap this past Sunday at Tennessee and was diagnosed with a stinger, but he returned after halftime and finished Week 2 with four carries for nine yards and one catch (on two targets) for 11 yards. Because the Eagles play the Bears on Monday Night Football in Week 3, Philadelphia didn't hold practice until Thursday this week, and Barkley was seen wearing a protective device on his shoulder and neck area during the open portion of that session, per Zach Berman of The Athletic. Barkley's activity level will become known once the team posts its first injury report of the week.

Jones (knee) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Jones opened Week 3 prep with no practice reps Wednesday due to a knee injury, but his ability to mix into some drills one day later is a positive step as the Vikings prepare for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. Friday's practice report will unveil whether or not he has a designation ahead of that matchup.

Coleman (ankle) was spotted on the field for the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Coleman was sidelined for the Broncos' first practice of the week Wednesday due to an ankle sprain, but he looks poised to take a step forward in terms of activity a day later. He's one of three Denver running backs on the Week 3 injury report, though Coleman, J.K. Dobbins (hip) and RJ Harvey (hamstring) all appear set to practice in some fashion Thursday.

Harvey (hamstring) was spotted on the field for the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

After sitting out the Broncos' Week 2 win over the Jaguars, Harvey opened Week 3 prep as a limited participant Wednesday. If he can upgrade to full activity Thursday, it would clear up any concern about his status heading into Sunday's game against the Rams. He's one of three Denver running backs on the injury report this week, as J.K. Dobbins (hamstring) was limited and Jonah Coleman (ankle) didn't participate in the team's first practice of the week.

Dobbins (hip) was spotted on the field for the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Dobbins opened Week 3 prep as a limited participant Wednesday, so if he can upgrade to full activity Thursday, it would clear up any concern about his status heading into Sunday's game against the Rams. He's one of three Denver running backs on the injury report this week, as RJ Harvey (hamstring) was limited and Jonah Coleman (ankle) didn't participate in the team's first practice of the week.

Pollard (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Both Pollard and Tyjae Spears sat out the Titans' first Week 3 practice Wednesday while tending to sore ankles, but the former was able to log some reps a day later, while the latter remained a non-participant. Pollard thus appears to be in a better spot on the health front of the two running backs, potentially setting him up to handle a workhorse role in Sunday's game against the Giants if Spears remains unable to practice Friday and gets ruled out heading into the weekend.

Dowdle (toe) didn't practice Thursday, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reports.

Dowdle has been sidelined for Pittsburgh's first two practices leading up to Sunday's Week 3 matchup against the AFC North rival Bengals, though he at least managed to shed his walking boot Thursday. Jaylen Warren (shoulder) was listed as limited both Wednesday and Thursday. If Dowdle's unable to practice Friday, he'll likely sit out Sunday, which could lead to more touches for Warren in a Steelers backfield that started out close to an even split when both running backs were healthy.

Warren (shoulder) was a limited participant at practice Thursday while Rico Dowdle (toe) didn't practice, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reports.

For a second consecutive day, Warren mustered up some level of practice participation while Dowdle didn't practice at all. Dowdle shed his walking boot Thursday, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, but the veteran running back appears to be fighting an uphill battle to suit up Sunday against the Bengals. If Warren ultimately gets the green light to play and Dowdle doesn't, the former could be in for a busy day. Third-stringer Eli Heidenreich has been practicing without limitations.