NFL Player News

Bigsby (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL 92.5 FM Jacksonville reports.

Bigsby has been playing through the shoulder injury since it limited him to only special-teams snaps in a Week 2 loss to Cleveland. He received just seven snaps on offense and two carries Week 3 at Buffalo, but an opportunity opened up Week 4 at Houston, when Travis Etienne suffered a shoulder injury of his own. Although Etienne ultimately returned to the game and led the backfield with 52 percent snap share and 11 carries, it was Bigsby who had the more productive outing, turning 17 snaps into seven carries for 90 yards. Both running backs are now listed as limited practice participants due to shoulder injuries, suggesting that both should be able to play this Sunday against the Colts, albeit perhaps at less than 100 percent. Etienne is faster, quicker and has superior pass-game skills, but Bigsby is making a strong case for a steady role of his own with three gains of 20-plus yards among his 21 carries this season.

Robinson was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury.

Robinson is dealing with his first known health concern of the campaign, coming on the heels of the running back handling a season-high 24 touches for 113 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown this past Sunday at Arizona. The increased workload may stem from the fact that the Commanders didn't have Austin Ekeler (concussion) available to the backfield. In any case, Ekeler returned to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday, so the status of the team's top two backs now is up in the air ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.

Etienne (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL 92.5 FM Jacksonville reports.

The same goes for Tank Bigsby, who suffered his shoulder injury in a Week 2 loss to Cleveland and was limited to special teams for the rest of the game. Bigsby then played Weeks 3 and 4, taking on a bigger role this past Sunday after Etienne suffered a shoulder injury of his own early in the first quarter against Houston. Etienne returned later in the first half and ended up leading the Jacksonville running backs in snap share (52 percent) and carries (11), but Bigsby made the most of his seven carries with 90 rushing yards, including a 58-yard run in the second half. Etienne's limited practice participation to start the week tentatively puts both running backs on track to play this Sunday against the Colts.

McClellan (illness) is listed as questionable ahead of Thursday night's game against the Buccaneers.

McClellan popped up on the Falcons' injury report Wednesday as a limited participant in practice due to an illness. The rookie running back out of Alabama has been a healthy scratch for all four of Atlanta's games this season, so it wouldn't be a significant loss if he's forced to miss Thursday night's contest because of this illness.

Ekeler (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

Ekeler left midway through the Commanders' Week 3 win at Cincinnati due to a concussion, and he was unable to practice at all last week before he missed this past Sunday's contest at Arizona. Head coach Dan Quinn told John Keim of ESPN.com earlier Wednesday that the "arrows are pointing up" for Ekeler, and his return to practice, even in a capped fashion, has set him on a path to suiting up again. In the end, though, Ekeler must gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to be able to play Sunday against the Browns.

Warren (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Warren missed this past Sunday's loss to the Colts with the knee injury and doesn't appear to be trending in the right direction for this weekend's game against the Cowboys. He'll still have two more opportunities to increase his practice activity and potentially make himself available for this Sunday's contest, but if Warren remains out, Najee Harris would likely be in store for another hefty role on the ground and as a pass catcher.

Patterson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Neither did Jaylen Warren, who missed Sunday's loss to Indianapolis with a knee injury. Patterson took advantage early on with six carries for 43 yards before halftime, only to miss the second half after injuring his ankle. He's now uncertain for Week 5 against Dallas, potentially leaving Aaron Shampklin as the No. 2 running behind Najee Harris, who would then be expected to take on another huge workload after playing 92 percent of snaps post-halftime in Sunday's loss.

Robinson (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game against the Buccaneers.

Robinson was listed as a limited practice participant on Monday's estimated injury report due to a hamstring injury and followed it up with a cap on his reps at Tuesday's walkthrough. However, he was able to end Week 5 prep with a full session Wednesday and thus is ready to play Thursday. Through four games this season, Robinson has racked up 70 touches for 359 yards from scrimmage and one rushing score.

Chubb (knee) returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant and was fifth through the line for handoffs among the team's running backs, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Though the Browns have declined to comment on expectations for Chubb's return to games, their decision to open his 21-day practice window Wednesday suggests they expect him back no later than Week 8. Until he's placed on the active roster, Chubb won't be listed with an official gameday status on the team's final practice report of a given week, which means further updates will come from coaches or plugged-in reporters. Chubb's spot at the back of the hand-off line Wednesday might be taken as a hint that Jerome Ford will get at least one more game as the Browns' lead back Sunday at Washington.

Pierce (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pierce was present at practice and wearing a jersey, but he didn't have his helmet and didn't end up participating in drills. With Joe Mixon (ankle) also absent again Wednesday, the Texans had Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor taking backfield snaps, as was the case during Sunday's win over Jacksonville.