NFL Player News

Etienne (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Etienne was listed as a limited participant in practice all of last week before sitting out the Jaguars' 32-16 win over the Patriots in London. Though head coach Doug Pederson termed Etienne as day-to-day Monday after previously considering the running back week-to-week, Etienne hasn't yet taken a step forward in terms of practice activity. A return to full participation in practice Friday would alleviate much of the concern about Etienne's status for Sunday's game against the Packers, but the extent of the running back's role would still be difficult to project if he plays. After Tank Bigsby stepped in as the lead runner Week 7 and piled up 118 yards and two scores on 26 totes to bring him up to 6.2 yards per carry on the season, he may have earned himself a larger share of the backfield touches moving forward, regardless of whether Etienne plays or not.

Taylor (ankle) practiced fully Thursday.

Taylor, who hasn't seen game action since suffering a right high-ankle sprain Week 4, returned to a limited practice Wednesday, with his full participation a day later presumably setting the stage for the Colts' top running back to be available for Sunday's game against the Texans. Assuming no issues with his increased activity level during Thursday's session, Taylor will be in a position to head into the weekend minus an injury designation.

Brooks (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Brooks sandwiched a pair of capped practices around a scheduled day off last Thursday, so his ability to put together back-to-back limited sessions to kick off this week is a good sign for the rookie second-round pick as he gets back into football shape. The Panthers may make a ruling on his status for a Week 8 matchup in Denver on Friday's injury report, but in order for him to be available for game action, the team will need to activate him from the reserve/non-football injury list.

Ali (ankle) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Jonas Shaffer of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Ali, a rookie fifth-round pick, came off IR on Oct. 12 after missing Baltimore's first five games due to a neck injury, but he then sustained an ankle issue after suiting up Week 6 against the Commanders. He'll have one more opportunity Friday to get back on the practice field prior to Sunday's road game against the Browns.

Ford (hamstring) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Unless he's able to get back on the field in some capacity Friday, Ford will likely be ruled out for a second straight game heading into Sunday's matchup with the Ravens. Before exiting the Browns' Week 6 loss to the Eagles with the hamstring injury, Ford had been serving as Cleveland's lead option out of the backfield, but he'll likely have to settle for a secondary role behind the now-healthy Nick Chubb once he's ready to play again.

Stevenson (foot/personal) returned to practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Stevenson didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to the field a day later has the running back trending toward suiting up Sunday against the Jets. The Patriots' second Week 8 injury report will be released later Thursday and will reveal whether Stevenson was a limited or full participant.

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

Irving has opened Week 8 prep with two straight absences from practices, potentially putting his availability for Sunday's game against the Falcons in peril. The Buccaneers went with a three-man committee at running back in the team's Week 7 loss to the Ravens, but if Irving ends up sitting out against Atlanta, more snaps and touches would be available for both Rachaad White and Sean Tucker.

The Ravens designated Mitchell (knee) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.

Mitchell -- who has been recovering from an ACL tear suffered last December -- took part in his practice of the 2024 season Wednesday, participating in a limited fashion. Head coach John Harbaugh has already ruled out Mitchell for Sunday's game against the Browns, but Wednesday's transaction officially opens the running back's 21-day evaluation window. Assuming Mitchell is eventually added back to the 53-man roster before the 21-day window closes, it's unclear what his role will be with Derrick Henry and Justice Hill both performing exceptionally as the one-two punch out of Baltimore's backfield. Unless Henry and/or Hill succumb to an injury, Mitchell could struggle to find enough snaps to deliver fantasy utility.

Walker didn't take part in Wednesday's practice due to an illness, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Walker came down with an illness this past weekend that left him questionable for the Week 7 game. He ended up suiting up Sunday in Atlanta, and while his snap share of 47 percent was below his norm (between 60 and 70 percent) on the season, he still had 14 carries for 69 yards and one touchdown and gathered in both targets for 24 yards and another score. Meanwhile No. 2 back Zach Charbonnet earned a 55 percent snap share and tallied eight touches for just nine total yards. Because Walker remains under the weather at the beginning of Week 8 prep, he has plenty of time to put the ailment behind him ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Hines (knee) won't be activated from the reserve/non-football injury list and will remain sidelined for the rest of the 2024 season, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Hines resumed practicing Oct 2, but with his 21-day evaluation window officially coming to an end Wednesday, the Browns didn't have a spot available for him on the 53-man roster. The running back had been working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in July 2023, and though Hines experienced no reported setbacks since he resumed practicing, the Browns already had four other backs on the roster and weren't willing to clear room for him. Though Hines will remain on the NFI list for now, he would be able to play for another team this season if he and the Browns are able to reach an injury settlement.