NFL Player News

Akers is preparing to be the Texans' lead back Week 5 against the Bills, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Akers is poised to be the No. 1 back for a third consecutive game, as both Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) have been non-participants this week. Meanwhile, Akers, Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor haven't been listed on Houston's injury report. Akers has 106 yards on 29 carries (3.7 YPC) and caught two of four targets for 11 yards and a touchdown this season. That includes two red-zone carries and one target inside the 20-yard line, on which he scored.

Hines (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Hines, who was designated to return from the non-football injury list earlier this week, was limited for a second consecutive day. It's unlikely he'll be ready to go for Sunday's road game against the Commanders.

Strong (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice.

Strong was a limited participant for the second straight day as the Browns prepare for a Week 5 matchup on the road at Washington. Both Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee) were designated to return this week, but it's looking like neither will play Sunday. If Strong is ready to go, he could join D'Onta Foreman behind starter Jerome Ford in a backfield that's off to a slow start. Strong could also see opportunities as a returner.

Irving rushed nine times for 44 yards and brought in both targets for 12 yards in the Buccaneers' 36-30 overtime loss to the Falcons on Thursday night. He also returned one kickoff for 39 yards and lost a fumble.

Irving logged one fewer carry than backfield mate Rachaad White, who gained 28 additional rushing yards and also had one more catch on the night. Additionally, Irving had an especially untimely fumble following a seven-yard run with just under three minutes remaining, with Jessie Bates stripping the rookie of the ball as it appeared Tampa Bay could potentially be moving into position to either run out the clock, or at minimum, add three points to a 30-27 lead. Despite the miscue, Irving did have yet another efficient rushing performance, but with White also impressing while averaging over 7.0 yards per carry, it appears to the two will continue in a near-even timeshare during a Week 6 road divisional contest against the Saints on Sunday, Oct. 13.

White rushed 10 times for 72 yards and secured all three targets for minus-6 yards in the Buccaneers' 36-30 overtime loss to the Falcons on Thursday night.

White notably logged one more carry and target apiece than surging rookie backfield mate Bucky Irving, who also had a costly fourth-quarter fumble. White also posted a season-best rushing yardage total by a wide margin, and after averaging a minuscule 2.1 yards per carry over the first three games of the season, the Arizona State product has bounced back to compile 121 rushing yards on 20 carries over the subsequent pair of contests. The third-year back has yet to find the end zone as either runner or receiver, however, a matter he next gets a chance to rectify during a Week 6 road tilt against the Saints on Sunday, Oct. 13.

Robinson rushed 12 times for 61 yards and brought in all three targets for 16 yards in the Falcons' 36-30 overtime win over the Buccaneers on Thursday night.

Robinson was disappointingly limited to his second-lowest carry total of the season, although he at least saw an appreciable uptick from the seven rush attempts he'd logged in Week 4 against the Saints. The second-year back did extend his season-opening streak of games with multiple receptions, but after five games in new coordinator Zac Robinson's offense, many of the same frustrations related to sub-optimal leveraging of Bijan's skill set persist as he awaits his first 20-carry game. The Falcons did take an unusually pass-heavy approach Thursday night -- Kirk Cousins put the ball up 59 times -- so perhaps Robinson will see a larger workload in a highly favorable Week 6 road matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 13.

Walker (oblique) was limited in practice Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Walker opened Week 5 prep with a full listing following Wednesday's walkthrough, but he fell back to a capped session one day later. The limitations likely are maintenance-related after he sat out Weeks 2 and 3 due to an oblique injury and then returned Monday at Detroit, where he had 16 touches for 116 yards from scrimmage and three rushing TDs on a 59 percent snap share. In the end, Friday's practice report will unveil whether or not Walker goes into the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game against the Giants.

McClellan (illness) is inactive ahead of Thursday's game against the Buccaneers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

McClellan popped up on the Falcons' injury report Wednesday due to an illness, and it appears to be severe enough to keep him sidelined for Thursday's contest. His next chance at suiting up will be Week 6 against the Panthers. The rookie sixth-round pick has yet to play in a regular-season game this year.

Bigsby (shoulder) remained limited at practice Thursday.

As did fellow RB Travis Etienne (shoulder), which sets the stage for Friday's practice to add key context regarding the duo's Week 5 availability. Unless he manages to practice fully, however, Bigsby will presumably carry an injury designation into the weekend.

Mostert (chest) remained limited at practice Thursday, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Mostert, who has missed three straight games, continues to practice in a limited fashion as Sunday's game against the Patriots approaches. He'll presumably need to upgrade to full participation Friday in order to avoid an injury designation heading into the weekend.