NFL Player News

Walker, who has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona due to an ankle injury and a calf issue, did not suffer a setback this week and could return to action next Sunday versus Green Bay, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Walker went from a limited practice Wednesday to no participation in practices Thursday and Friday, but Schefter suggests that the downturn in activity wasn't the result of a setback. While Walker won't be able to take the field in Sunday's clash with the Cardinals that has huge implications for the NFC playoff picture, the third-year running back appears to have a chance of returning to action for another critical contest in Week 15. With Walker out this week, Zach Charbonnet will likely lead Seattle's backfield, with Kenny McIntosh and George Holani working behind him.

Swift (quadriceps), who is questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, is expected to suit up, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Swift entered the weekend deemed with a designation after logging just one limited practice this week. He looks like he'll be able to take the field Sunday, taking aim at a San Francisco defense that gave up 220 rushing yards -- albeit in a snowstorm -- against Buffalo last week. If Swift is indeed cleared to play prior to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, he'll be looking to break out of a two-game slump during which he's totaled a meager 69 rushing yards on 24 carries without a score. The veteran running back has been fine as a receiver in that span, however, tallying 70 yards on five catches.

Mattison (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, isn't likely to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Mattison logged a trio of limited practices this week, but he doesn't appear ready to return to action. Assuming he's made inactive ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, it will be the veteran tailback's third straight absence. Zamir White (quadricep) has already been ruled out for Week 14, so Las Vegas' backfield will likely be lead by Sincere McCormick on the ground, while Ameer Abdullah serves as the top change-of-pace option.

The 49ers elevated Vaughn from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Vaughn was signed to the 49ers' practice squad Monday due to Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) both being placed on injured reserve. Vaughn will be the Niners' No. 4 running back behind Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor and Israel Abanikanda for Sunday's game against the Bears. Vaughn appeared in six regular-season games for the Buccaneers in 2023 and logged 24 carries for 42 yards while adding two catches for two yards.

McIntosh could handle additional reps in Sunday's game versus the Cardinals because Kenneth Walker (ankle/calf) has been ruled out.

Zach Charbonnet is expected to be the primary back, much like he was in Weeks 2 and 3 when Walker was inactive. During those games, McIntosh played 11 offensive snaps and carried the ball three times for 11 yards. Thus, McIntosh still shouldn't be started in most formats, but he's worth keeping an eye on in deeper leagues in case Walker's injury lingers.

Irving (hip), who is questionable for Sunday's game against Las Vegas, is in line to play, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Irving missed Tampa Bay's first two practices of the week but was able to return as a limited participant Friday. Though he was deemed questionable entering the weekend, the rookie running back looks like he'll be officially cleared to play when Tampa Bay releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Irving is coming off the best game of his career last week against Carolina, as he logged career-high totals of 25 carries for 152 yards along with a rushing touchdown while adding three catches for 33 yards.

Charbonnet appears set to lead Seattle's backfield Sunday versus Arizona with Kenneth Walker III (ankle/calf) downgraded to out for the game.

Walker has been a workhorse for the Seahawks this season, relegating Charbonnet to a minor role as the team's backup running back. However, Walker will be unable to suit up for Sunday's matchup -- a game that will determine which of the two teams assumes control of the the division -- and Charbonnet will almost certainly be thrust into a bigger workload than usual as a result. When Walker missed two games earlier this season (in Weeks 2 and 3), Charbonnet stepped in and averaged 16 carries for 64.5 yards while scoring three total rushing touchdowns across the pair of contests, and he could be headed for a similar carry count against the Cardinals. Kenny McIntosh could be in the mix for an increase in offensive snaps as well, but he's unlikely to be given a large workload given that he hasn't logged a snap on offense in any of Seattle's past five games.

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

It was announced earlier in the week Mason would be placed on injured reserve, but the team waited to officially make that move until the end of the week. Isaac Guerendo will get the first crack at filling in for both Mason and Christian McCaffrey (knee), who was also placed on injured reserve following his Week 13 injury, but pass-catching specialist Patrick Taylor also figures to have some role too. San Francisco plucked a couple of known names to at minimum operate as depth given the myriad of injuries to its running backs, with Israel Abanikanda and practice-squad callup Ke'Shawn Vaughn joining the team earlier this week.

The Chargers elevated Patterson from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Patterson signed with the Chargers' practice squad in early September after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. It's his first elevation of the 2024 campaign, though he'll likely be restricted to a special teams role, if he plays, as the Chargers already have Gus Edwards, Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins in the backfield. Patterson last saw NFL regular-season action in 2022 with the Commanders, and across three games he turned 17 carries into 78 yards.

Miller (hamstring), who is still listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Giants, was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Miller is expected to make his return after a four-game absence come Sunday. The second-year running back has been injured frequently during his career and was reportedly in the former coaching regime's "doghouse," but interim head coach Darren Rizzi made a point of saying in a press conference that it doesn't apply to his tenure in the position. It's unclear what that all means in terms of playing time for Miller, but the Saints should be invested in seeing what they have in the 2023 third-round pick.