NFL Player News

Estime (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday, opening a 21-day window for him to be activated from injured reserve, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

The Broncos can place Estime back on the 53-man roster any time before Oct. 30, at which point he would revert to injured reserve for the rest of the season. He injured his ankle Week 1 and has now missed the minimum of four games, potentially opening the door for a third man to get involved in a backfield that's featured Javonte Williams as the lead runner and Jaleel McLaughlin in a supporting role. Both struggled earlier this season but have been more efficient with their touches in the past two games.

Moss (foot) didn't practice Wednesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

The Bengals are now labeling Moss' injury as a foot issue, after his departure late in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 41-38 overtime loss to the Ravens was initially attributed to ankle concern. He returned to the game not long after and even took a carry, but he didn't look right and was then pulled for good, leaving Chase Brown to dominate backfield snaps at the end of the fourth quarter and into overtime. Brown should get a huge workload if Moss isn't ready to face the Giants on Sunday.

Etienne (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Etienne was a limited participant all last week before taking 58 percent of snaps and nine touches in the first half of an eventual 37-34 win over the Colts. He aggravated his shoulder injury at some point along the way and then saw just three touches and a 17 percent snap share in the second half, with Tank Bigsby taking over as the lead runner en route to 128 total yards and two touchdowns. A limited practice to start Week 6 suggests Etienne should be able to play this Sunday against the Bears in London, but the combination of a lingering shoulder injury and Bigsby's emergence has dulled some of Etienne's fantasy appeal, even though few backs can match Etienne in terms of speed and explosiveness.

Ekeler practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday due to a heel injury.

Ekeler was productive in his return from a one-game absence this past Sunday against the Browns, turning eight touches into 97 yards from scrimmage while pacing Commanders running backs with a 49 percent snap share. Meanwhile, Brian Robinson ranked second in playing time among running backs due to a lingering knee injury, finishing with seven carries for 18 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson didn't practice Wednesday, but if he's able to increase his activity Thursday and/or Friday or if Ekeler remains slowed by the heel issue, Robinson could recapture a larger share of the snaps this Sunday in Baltimore.

Robinson (knee) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.

Robinson appears to be following a similar practice regimen this week as he did last week, when he managed just one limited session Friday. He was listed as questionable and was ultimately active for this past Sunday's win over the Browns, but he earned a season-low 34 percent snap share while working in tandem with Austin Ekeler (49 percent) and Jeremy McNichols (22 percent) out of the Commanders backfield. Robinson took advantage of his seven carries on his way to 18 yards and two touchdowns, while Ekeler (eight touches for 97 yards from scrimmage) and McNichols (seven carries for 44 yards and one touchdown) also produced useful stat lines for fantasy purposes. Robinson may need to get back to full participation by week's end in order to regain a majority share of Washington's backfield reps for Sunday's game at Baltimore.

Sermon didn't practice Wednesday due to a collarbone injury.

Lead back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) also remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice, after Sermon helped fill in for him during Sunday's 37-34 loss to the Jaguars while handling a season-high 16 touches. The statuses of both backs are thus worth tracking as this weekend's game against the Titans approaches, but for now, Tyler Goodson is the top healthy back on the Colts' active roster. The Colts also have Evan Hull and Trent Pennix on hand on the practice squad.

Warren (knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Head coach Mike Tomlin previously labeled Warren as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Raiders, but the running back's involvement in practice in some fashion a day later is at least a positive development. Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) has already been ruled out for Sunday, so Warren would return to a complementary role behind top back Najee Harris if Warren is able to make a surprise return in Las Vegas.

Singletary (groin) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

A groin injury contained Singletary to one limited session (Friday) last week, resulting in a doubtful designation and eventual inactive status for this past Sunday's game at Seattle. Rookie fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy paced the Giants backfield with a 62 percent snap share and 19 touches for 130 yards from scrimmage, while Eric Gray handled seven touches for 54 total yards on 36 percent of plays. Head coach Brian Daboll told Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com on Wednesday that Singletary is "trending in the right direction," but the sixth-year pro will have two more chances this week to get back to full participation before the team potentially clears him for Sunday's contest against the Bengals.

Pierce (hamstring) was spotted at practice Wednesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Pierce, who hasn't played since Week 1, returned to practice last Friday, and his presence at Wednesday's session is a positive indicator with regard to his Week 6 status. While Joe Mixon (ankle) remained sidelined for the Texans' opening practice this week, head coach DeMeco Ryans told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston that he expects Pierce to be back in the fold for Sunday's game against the Patriots. Pierce thus could move into a key role in Houston's backfield this weekend if Mixon is unavailable.

Mixon (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Mixon hasn't played since Week 2 and has managed just one limited practice since then (Friday of Week 4). Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans admitted Monday that he isn't sure if the running back will return for Sunday's game at New England, and Mixon's continued absence from practice to begin Week 6 prep isn't the most encouraging sign. Dameon Pierce (hamstring) returned to practice at the end of last week, potentially giving Houston a new candidate to lead the backfield after Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale took on most of the work in the past three games.