NFL Player News

Ekeler is poised to operate as the Washington's lead back after Brian Robinson (knee) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Though he's on the downslope of his career, Ekeler has a pedigree as a three-down workhorse, so he should be in store for an uptick in carries even if he can't completely replicate Robinson's bludgeoning rushing style. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez are on hand as depth options and could spell Ekeler on occasions Sunday, but the 29-year-old should nonetheless have a path to his largest workload of the season. He hadn't earned more than 11 touches in any of his first four appearances with Washington.

Tracy is expected to see the lion's share of the snaps out of the backfield Sunday against the Bengals with Devin Singletary (groin) ruled out for Week 6.

The 2024 fifth-round pick has another big opportunity ahead of him after he shined in his first extended NFL action in the Giants' Week 5 win over the Seahawks. Though Eric Gray seemed to operate as the team's preferred option early in the Week 5 contest, his fumble on the opening drive opened the door for Tracy, who blasted through to the tune of 7.2 yards per carry on just 12 attempts. The 24-year-old is a bit slight (210 pounds) for his 5-foot-11 frame, and while he doesn't profile as a true three-down workhorse, there's reason to believe the converted collegiate wide receiver could be used more in passing situations as well. With Malik Nabers (concussion) out again, the Giants might be forced to get creative offensively, which would be a boon for Tracy's fantasy prospects.

Singletary (groin) has been downgraded ahead of the Sunday night game against the Bengals and will not play in the contest.

Head coach Brian Daboll was noncommittal when asked about Singletary's status earlier in the week, which said all fantasy managers probably needed to know entering the primetime contest. As a result, rookie fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy is set to operate as the team's starting running back in a juicy matchup against a Bengals defense that has been pitiful all year long. A converted collegiate receiver, it's entirely possible Tracy will get more involved through the air after seeing only two targets in the Week 5 win.

Estime (ankle) was activated off injured reserve Saturday. The rookie running back is still listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Chargers, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

The Denver backfield appears to have a bit more of a cadence than it did early on, with Javonte Williams averaging about 33 snaps per game and Jaleel McLaughlin mixing in somewhere in the range of 17 to 23 snaps most weeks. Estime probably won't play much to start, but he does profile as more of a thumper than anyone currently on the depth chart and could earn more opportunities as the season progresses.

Ali (neck) was activated off injured reserve Saturday.

Ali landed on IR in early September due to a neck issue and sat out Baltimore's first five games. He was designated to return Oct. 3 but remained on IR until his activation Saturday. If he's cleared to suit up Sunday, Ali -- who is officially questionable for the contest -- could make his NFL regular-season debut, but he probably won't get many offensive snaps behind a healthy Derrick Henry and Justice Hill.

The Commanders elevated Rodriguez from their practice squad to their active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's Week 6 clash with Baltimore.

Rodriguez was previously elevated ahead of Washington's Week 4 game against Arizona, but he didn't get any offensive snaps in the contest (though he did log six snaps on special teams). His elevation ahead of Week 6 comes as a result of starting tailback Brian Robinson being ruled out for the game due to a knee injury. Rodriguez could thus get some work against the Ravens on Sunday, though he's still behind Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols on the depth chart.

Robinson (knee) was downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday's game Ravens.

Robinson failed to practice all week, so the Commanders' decision to downgrade him isn't a major surprise. With Robinson out of the mix, Austin Ekeler will take over as the team's No. 1 back and should see plenty of work as both a pass catcher and runner. Jeremy McNichols should serve as Ekeler's primary backup, while Chris Rodriguez was elevated from the practice squad to provide a third option out of the backfield.

Edwards (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Edwards' workload had tailed off in Weeks 3 and 4, as he recorded nine carries for 28 yards in the two prior weeks before the bye. J.K. Dobbins has been a revelation as the team's preferred starting running back, but with Edwards out, it's possible rookie sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal will see his first significant action at the NFL level.

Miller (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. The second-year back still remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football in a second report suggested Miller likely won't see a significant role right out of the gate, which makes sense given the young back's history of injuries throughout his career. Expect Alvin Kamara to be the main focal point on offense, with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler making his first career start in replacement of the injured Derek Carr (oblique).

Brown (quadricep), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Giants, is expected to play, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Head coach Zac Taylor said as much when he touched on Brown's status following Friday's practice, but fantasy managers should have some extra assurance about the running back being cleared to play ahead of Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Expect Brown and Zack Moss to continue operating in a tandem out of the backfield that has proven beneficial for both players, who have three touchdowns apiece on the season.