NFL Player News

Pierce (hamstring) isn't taking part in practice Wednesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Joe Mixon is also not involved in Wednesday's practice after sitting out a Week 3 loss at Minnesota with an ankle injury. Pierce missed the past two games after injuring his hamstring during a Week 2 practice, and the continued absences suggest he's in danger of missing a third straight game Saturday against Jacksonville, though Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported earlier Wednesday that Pierce is expected back this week. Cam Akers filled in as the starter and lead runner in the 34-7 loss to Minnesota, but he didn't get any snaps on third downs or in the fourth quarter, with the negative game script having a major impact on his workload.

Mixon (ankle) wasn't spotted on the field during the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Wilson suggested earlier Wednesday that Dameon Pierce (hamstring) may be closer to a return to action than Mixon, though neither running back was present for the start of the Texans' first Week 4 practice. While both backs were sidelined for this past Sunday's 34-7 loss to the Vikings, Cam Akers drew the start out of the backfield and finished with 21 yards on nine carries to go with one reception for an eight-yard touchdown.

Ford isn't expected to practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Ford played 53 of the Browns' 67 snaps on offense in this past Sunday's loss to the Giants, finishing with 10 carries for 37 yards and three catches for 33 yards in the contest. The Browns haven't revealed whether Ford's knee issue is anything that will affect his status for Week 4, but if he's unable to play Sunday against the Raiders, D'Onta Foreman would likely serve as Cleveland's lead option on the ground.

Williams played 14 snaps -- all on special teams -- in Monday's 38-33 loss to the Commanders.

Williams has been active for each of the Bengals' first three games, but he has yet to make his 2024 debut on offense while Cincinnati has turned to Zack Moss and Chase Brown to handle all the running-back snaps. His standing as a part-time kick returner and core member of the Bengals' special-teams coverage units should allow Williams to continue to suit up on a weekly basis, but he may not be guaranteed a substantial role out of the backfield even if one of Moss or Brown were to miss time.

Johnson carried three times for 18 yards and caught all three of his targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 47-10 win over the Jaguars.

Johnson ended up having his best statistical day of the young season Monday, seeing season highs in snap percentage (27), rushing yards (18), and targets (3). With that said, the veteran's statistics were not overly impressive, and his increased usage was likely the result of the Bills resting key players in the second half amid the blowout. Johnson's touchdown grab was his first trip to the end zone in 2024, but he likely won't earn many more scoring opportunities while lead back James Cook is healthy.

Johnson rushed twice for 12 yards in Monday's 47-10 loss to the Bills.

Johnson played 12 of the Jaguars 71 offensive snaps in the contest, behind Travis Etienne (49) and ahead of Tank Bigsby (9). Like the entire Jaguars offense, the veteran running back was unable to produce in his opportunities. Johnson should remain far off the fantasy radar moving forward, and it's unclear if he would be prioritized ahead of Bigsby if Etienne were to miss time at any point.

Bigsby rushed twice for nine yards in Monday's 47-10 loss to the Bills.

Bigsby was mostly an afterthought in what ended up being a rough day for the Jaguars offense. The second-year running back played just nine of Jacksonville's 71 offensive snaps in the contest, far behind starter Travis Etienne, who played 49 snaps. Though Bigsby is tough to rely on for consistent fantasy production, he remains a solid insurance policy to stash in deeper leagues in the event that Etienne were to miss time at any point.

Tucker rushed once for four yards and returned one kickoff for 27 yards in the Buccaneers' 26-7 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.

Tucker did log a carry on his only snap from scrimmage, and he put in another 13 plays on special teams. Tucker's cameo on offense at least represented an improvement from a Week 2 win over the Lions in which he did not see the field in that capacity, but the second-year back doesn't seem to have a path to any meaningful playing time as long as Rachaad White and Bucky Irving are healthy.

Head coach Dan Quinn said that Ekeler sustained a concussion as well as a laceration to his ear during Monday's 38-33 win over the Bengals, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

The team had already confirmed that Ekeler entered the NFL's concussion protocol after a blow to the head during the third quarter Monday, resulting in his early exit from the contest. The ear laceration hadn't been reported, but clearing the five-step protocol will be Ekeler's chief concern as he aims to be available for the Commanders' Week 4 game Sunday in Arizona. If he is ruled out for Week 4, the Commanders would likely lean more heavily on lead back Brian Robinson in the passing game, while No. 3 back Jeremy McNichols could also carve out a more substantial change-of-pace role.

The Giants released Johnson on Tuesday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson has been and up down between the Giants' active roster and practice squad since the end of training camp, and it's possible that the 29-year-old running back could stick around with Big Blue. Johnson has played 36 snaps (31 on special teams, five on offense) across two games with the Giants this season and has not accrued a carry or tackle over that span.