NFL Player News

Robinson (knee) is listed as active Sunday against the Browns.

Robinson tended to a knee injury during Week 5 prep, capping him to one limited practice (Friday) and a questionable listing for Sunday's contest. The issue won't stop him from being available to the Commanders backfield, but with Austin Ekeler (concussion) back after one game missed and Jeremy McNichols faring well Week 4 (eight carries for 68 yards and two TDs), Robinson may have a scaled-back role. Still, Robinson hasn't lacked for work (18.5 touches per game) in the first four outings of the season, so there's a chance he'll retain such a gig.

Jones (hip) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Jets in London, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Jones spent about 10 minutes in the medical tent in the first half before trying to loosen his right hip on the sideline. He initially was deemed questionable to return before his day was considered over after halftime. Jones will finish Week 5 with 53 yards from scrimmage on eight touches, while Ty Chandler, and to a lesser extent, Myles Gaskin, are poised to handle work out of the Vikings backfield for the rest of Sunday's contest.

Jones exited late in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Jets with a hip injury and is questionable to return, Stacey Dales of NFL Network reports.

Jones tried to loosen up and run on the sideline, but he felt some discomfort and had to shut it down. Ty Chandler replaced Jones to begin the second quarter, and the team will presumably have more information regarding Jones' status after halftime. Jones carried seven times for 29 yards and added a 24-yard reception before checking out of the game.

Gibson is slated to draw the start at running back for the Patriots on Sunday against the Dolphins, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Rhamondre Stevenson, who signed a four-year, $36 million extension this past offseason, has been operating as the team's lead back, but with four fumbles on 74 touches through the first four weeks, head coach Jerod Mayo has elected to turn to Gibson as the team's starter Sunday. That said, Mayo noted that Stevenson, who is averaging 4.1 yards per carry on the season, will play versus Miami, but his ball-security issues of late have opened the door for Gibson (5.3 yards per carry on 29 attempts) to see added snaps, at least in Week 5. With that in mind, Gibson offers a fantasy lineup alternative for those currently in need of running back help due to bye weeks or injury issues.

Pierce (hamstring) is listed as questionable but isn't expected to play in Sunday's game versus Buffalo, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Pierce hasn't played since Week 1, when he logged just nine offensive snaps and carried three times for 16 yards against Indianapolis. His return Sunday would be well-timed since Joe Mixon has been ruled out for a third straight week due to ankle injury, but Pierce doesn't look as though he'll be able to help buoy the Texans' running back corps. Cam Akers is likely to lead Houston's backfield again, with Dare Ogunbowale serving as his primary backup. Official word on Pierce's status will arrive when the Texans release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

McCaffrey (Achilles/calf) won't return when eligible Week 6 against the Seahawks, but he did on-field work this week and didn't experience any flareups, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

The workouts marked McCaffrey's first on-field activity since landing on injured reserve Sept. 14 and came less than two weeks after he visited a specialist in Germany. Schefter notes that while McCaffrey is dealing with bilateral Achilles tendinitis, the issue is concentrated mainly to one of his legs at this stage, and the running back's lack of a flareup this week was viewed as "mild encouragement." Even so, McCaffrey's return will be dependent on how he fares in practice, and Schefter relays that the 28-year-old may be ready to play as soon as Oct. 20 versus Kansas City if he steers clear of setbacks. Schefter also acknowledges the possibility that San Francisco could opt to sit McCaffrey out through the team's Week 9 bye in order to give him an extra week of recovery, so an actual target date for a return remains hazy. Jordan Mason will continue to start at running back for the 49ers for as long as McCaffrey remains out.

The Giants elevated Miller from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Devin Singletary (groin) is doubtful to play Sunday against the Seahawks, so the Giants will bring up Miller to provide insurance in the backfield behind Tyrone Tracy and Eric Gray. Miller opted to stick around with Big Blue on the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp.

Robinson (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, is "good to go," Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The Commanders haven't officially changed Robinson's injury designation, but the third-year back should be cleared to play upon the release of Washington's inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The third-year back missed practices Wednesday and Thursday before participating in limited fashion Friday. Washington will also have top backup Austin Ekeler at its disposal after the veteran missed the Week 4 win over the Cardinals due to a concussion.

The Vikings elevated Gaskin from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Gaskin was on the Vikings' active roster for the first four games of the regular season, but he was released Thursday to make room for tight end Robert Tonyan. Gaskin chose to stick around on the practice squad, and he will serve as the No. 3 running back behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Pittsburgh elevated Ward from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Ward didn't make the Steelers' 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but the 27-year-old running back opted to stick around on the practice squad. This will be his first elevation of the season, and he could see immediate work Sunday against the Cowboys due to Jaylen Warren (knee) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) both being ruled out for that game. Ward will serve as the Steelers' No.3 running back behind Najee Harris and Aaron Shampklin.