NFL Player News

Haskins carried the ball twice for five yards in the 23-17 win over the Broncos on Sunday.

There was some thought the 24-year-old could take over for the injured Gus Edwards (ankle) given Haskins had been active all five games, but rookie Kimani Vidal stepped in immediately and effectively ended that speculation with 51 total yards and a touchdown on six touches. Expect Haskins to remain on the active roster but used specifically on special teams.

The Vikings acquired Akers and a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick from the Texans on Tuesday in exchange for a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Minnesota has now traded for Akers for the second season in a row, as the Vikings previously acquired him from the Rams last September. He made six appearances for the Vikings in 2023 before rupturing his right Achilles' tendon in November and requiring surgery, but Akers recovered quicker than anticipated from the major injury. After joining Houston on a one-year deal in the offseason, he made the Texans' Week 1 roster and suddenly found himself in a lead role out of the backfield by Week 2, when Joe Mixon exited a win over the Bears with an ankle injury. Dameon Pierce also missed time with a hamstring injury to free up snaps for Akers, who carried 31 times for 116 yards and a touchdown and added three receptions for 13 yards and another score between Weeks 3 and 5. However, with both Mixon and Pierce returning to action for the Week 6 win over the Patriots, Akers was limited to just two snaps. With its top two backs healthy and Dare Ogunbowale offering value on special teams and passing downs as a No. 3 option, Houston deemed Akers expendable and opted to move him to Minnesota, where he'll presumably compete with Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin for a depth role behind lead back Aaron Jones (hip).

Kamara (hand) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's walk-through practice,

At this stage, the Saints haven't suggested that Kamara's status for Thursday's game against the Broncos is in peril, but even if he's available, he could still be subject to a lighter workload than normal on a short week. Kamara has played at least 70 percent of the snaps in each of the Saints' last four games, and he handled 18 touches (13 carries, five receptions) in this past Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers.

Kansas City activated Edwards-Helaire from the reserve/non-football illness list Tuesday, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.

Edwards-Helaire had missed the team's first five games after landing on the NFI list following the preseason, but he resumed practicing with the team earlier this month and has now been deemed ready to play coming out of a Week 6 bye. With Isiah Pacheco (fibula) still on injured reserve, Edwards-Helaire could carve out a role in the backfield, though Kareem Hunt has fared well as Kansas City's lead back the past two games and should retain top slotting on the depth chart. Rather than presenting a threat to Hunt, Edwards-Helaire could more realistically challenge Samaje Perine for the change-of-pace/passing-down role.

The Titans signed Kelley to the practice squad Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Kelley spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Chargers, and he finished the 2023 regular season with 107 carries for 405 yards and two touchdowns while adding eight catches (on 12 targets) for 32 yards. He spent most of the offseason as a free agent before signing with the Giants during training camp, but the 2020 fourth-round pick was unable to make the 53-man roster. Kelley could be elevated to the Titans' active roster as early as Week 7 against the Bills due to Tyjae Spears being listed as week-to-week with a hamstring injury he suffered against the Colts on Sunday. If Kelley is indeed elevated from the practice squad to the active roster, he would serve as the Titans' No. 3 running back behind Tony Pollard and Julius Chestnut.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday that he's optimistic Cook (toe) will be available to play Sunday against the Titans, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

Though Cook was listed as questionable heading into Monday's game against the Jets, reports leading up to the contest suggested he was on track to play. However, Cook didn't make enough progress in his recovery from a toe injury and ended up on the inactive list for the first time all season, with the Bills turning to rookie Ray Davis and veteran Ty Johnson to fill the backfield in a 23-20 win. Davis (20 carries for 97 yards, three receptions for 55 yards) was impressive in his first extended NFL action to date, and his big performance could prompt the Bills to take a cautious approach with Cook during practice this week. McDermott indicated that a decision on Cook's status may not be made until closer to game day, per Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News.

The Browns cut Brightwell from the practice squad Tuesday.

Brightwell's departure from the practice squad opens up a spot for wide receiver James Proche. Brightwell was signed to the Browns' active roster Sept. 21 to provide backfield depth behind Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. However, Brightwell was limited to a special teams role in Week 3 and 4, and he was let go from the 53-man roster Oct. 1. The 2021 sixth-round pick will explore his options and attempt to catch on with a team in need of backfield depth and special teams experience.

McLaughlin rushed three times for eight yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Chargers. He added two receptions on two targets for 17 yards.

McLaughlin continued to operate as Denver's No. 2 running back in the contest, playing 14 of the Broncos' 55 offensive snaps. Meanwhile, starter Javonte Williams played a healthy 37 snaps but saw just three more carries than McLaughlin. The Denver backfield has failed to become a strong unit so far in 2024, as play has been inconsistent and unimpressive through five games. With rookie Audric Estime rejoining the team after a four-week stint on injured reserve, the running back situation could become more muddied as the coaching staff tries to get the ground game going. The 24-year-old McLaughlin remains difficult to trust for fantasy purposes with his limited role in Denver's offense. The Broncos will visit the Saints in Week 7.

Estime rushed twice for 13 yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Chargers.

Estime made his return to the field Sunday after being activated from injured reserve for the ankle injury he suffered in Week 1, however, the rookie running back played just two of the Broncos' 55 offensive snaps in the contest. It's likely Denver's coaching staff wants to ease Estime back into a more substantial workload, but he'll still face an uphill battle for playing time behind both Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin moving forward. The 21-year-old Notre Dame product could challenge for an expanded role in a backfield that has failed to impress consistently thus far. Estime will look to be more involved when the Broncos visit the Saints in Week 7.

Allen rushed three times for eight yards and didn't catch either of his two targets in Monday's 23-20 loss to the Bills.

After shaking up their coaching staff, the Jets recommitted to Breece Hall as their clear No. 1 running back, and he finished with 169 scrimmage yards on 23 touches. Allen still notably got a look near the goal line and converted it for a go-ahead four-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, only to have the score called back on a holding call away from the play. The rookie running back will look to make the most of his limited opportunities behind Hall in Pittsburgh on Sunday.