NFL Player News

Robinson (knee) was downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday's game Ravens.

Robinson failed to practice all week, so the Commanders' decision to downgrade him isn't a major surprise. With Robinson out of the mix, Austin Ekeler will take over as the team's No. 1 back and should see plenty of work as both a pass catcher and runner. Jeremy McNichols should serve as Ekeler's primary backup, while Chris Rodriguez was elevated from the practice squad to provide a third option out of the backfield.

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

Edwards' workload had tailed off in Weeks 3 and 4, as he recorded nine carries for 28 yards in the two prior weeks before the bye. J.K. Dobbins has been a revelation as the team's preferred starting running back, but with Edwards out, it's possible rookie sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal will see his first significant action at the NFL level.

Miller (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. The second-year back still remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football in a second report suggested Miller likely won't see a significant role right out of the gate, which makes sense given the young back's history of injuries throughout his career. Expect Alvin Kamara to be the main focal point on offense, with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler making his first career start in replacement of the injured Derek Carr (oblique).

Brown (quadricep), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Giants, is expected to play, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Head coach Zac Taylor said as much when he touched on Brown's status following Friday's practice, but fantasy managers should have some extra assurance about the running back being cleared to play ahead of Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Expect Brown and Zack Moss to continue operating in a tandem out of the backfield that has proven beneficial for both players, who have three touchdowns apiece on the season.

Mixon (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, is still on track to play, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston echoed the same sentiment Friday, but it's good to see that the star running back hasn't suffered any setbacks coming out of the Texans' final practice of the week as he sets his sights on a return to the lineup following a three-game absence. Dameon Pierce -- who doesn't have an injury designation after missing the last four games with a hamstring issue -- along with Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale will be on hand as depth options behind Mixon, who will presumably start and see the bulk of the carries if he's active Sunday.

Jennings was elevated from the Patriots' practice squad to their active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's Week 6 matchup versus Houston, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Jennings will get his first elevation -- and potentially his first NFL action -- as a result of New England's starting running back, Rhamondre Stevenson, being ruled out for Week 6 due to a foot injury. Jennings played college ball at Florida A&M and was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in May. He'll likely work behind Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty in New England's backfield Sunday.

Ward was elevated from the Steelers' practice squad to their active roster Saturday.

This marks Ward's second elevation of the season -- he was first active Week 5, and he tallied two carries for nine yards on three offensive snaps versus Dallas while also logging 14 snaps on special teams. Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) has been ruled out for this Sunday's game against Las Vegas, but with Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Aaron Shampklin all slated to suit up, Ward isn't likely to see much work on offense.

Hull was signed to the active roster by the Colts on Saturday.

With Jonathan Taylor (ankle) out another week, Hull was always going to be on the roster in some capacity come Sunday. The 2023 fifth-round pick didn't play any snaps last week in the loss to Jacksonville, but Hull does represent quality depth behind the likes of Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson.

Akers could be in line for a drop in touches and snaps in Sunday's game against New England, as Dameon Pierce (hamstring) carries no injury designation into the and Joe Mixon (ankle) is listed as questionable on the Texans' injury report.

Mixon is the Texans' clear lead back when healthy, and if the team saw enough from him to keep him active Week 6, he should start after sitting out the last three games. Even if the Texans opt to give Mixon another game off, Pierce -- who had missed the previous four games -- could still work ahead of Akers as the top option on the ground. While Mixon and Piercer were both sidelined each of the previous three weeks, Akers earned at least nine carries in each contest, but he averaged just 3.7 yards per tote and scored two touchdowns while offering meager contributions in the passing game (three catches for 13 yards).

Ford is expected to maintain the lead backfield role Week 6 against Philadelphia, as both Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee) are ruled out on the Browns' injury report.

Ford will top the backfield for a sixth consecutive game, but it hasn't gone well for him or the Browns. He's gained a healthy 5.2 yards per carry but has fewer than 10 carries per game and one touchdown. The team's play caller -- head coach Kevin Stefanski -- has led a game plan thus far that tilted toward the passing game, and the results aren't pretty. Perhaps the coach will shift focus and lean on Ford and the ground game against the league's 20th-ranked rushing defense (128.8 yards per game).