NFL Player News

Brooks (knee) has exited Sunday's game against the Bills.

Brooks has primarily worked on special teams, but he has seen a few snaps on offense with Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) out of action. His absence may lead to extra opportunities for J.J. Taylor

Akers is expected to serve as the Texans' starting running back due to Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) being inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.

While Mixon and Pierce remain sidelined for their third and fourth straight games, respectively, Akers appears poised to lead the Houston backfield once again, with Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor on hand behind Akers for change-of-pace work. In the team's 24-20 win over the Jaguars last weekend, Akers carried 13 times for 53 yards and was not targeted in the passing game. Meanwhile, Taylor logged six carries for 18 yards and Ogunbowale rushed twice for seven yards and caught all four of his targets for 47 yards and a touchdown.

Wilson (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday in New England.

With Raheem Mostert (chest) available for the first time since Week 1, Wilson will don street clothes while De'Von Achane, Mostert and rookie fourth-rounder Jaylen Wright man the Dolphins backfield Week 5. Miami has a Week 6 bye, so it remains to be seen if this will be Wilson's reality moving forward.

Pierce (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Pierce practiced Friday for the first time since sustaining a strained hamstring ahead of Week 2 action and approached the contest listed as questionable. With both Pierce and Joe Mixon (ankle) still sidelined, look for Cam Akers to continue to lead Houston's backfield versus Buffalo, with Dare Ogunbowale a candidate to see change-of-pace work and J.J. Taylor and British Brooks available to provide the Texans with Week 5 backfield depth.

Strong (hamstring) is active Week 5 against the Commanders.

While Strong will return from a two-game absence, he'll still presumably be behind Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman on the running back depth chart. When he did suit up in Weeks 1 and 2, Strong saw more work on special teams than he did on offense, so the fantasy upside is limited.

Robinson (knee) is listed as active Sunday against the Browns.

Robinson tended to a knee injury during Week 5 prep, capping him to one limited practice (Friday) and a questionable listing for Sunday's contest. The issue won't stop him from being available to the Commanders backfield, but with Austin Ekeler (concussion) back after one game missed and Jeremy McNichols faring well Week 4 (eight carries for 68 yards and two TDs), Robinson may have a scaled-back role. Still, Robinson hasn't lacked for work (18.5 touches per game) in the first four outings of the season, so there's a chance he'll retain such a gig.

Jones (hip) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Jets in London, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Jones spent about 10 minutes in the medical tent in the first half before trying to loosen his right hip on the sideline. He initially was deemed questionable to return before his day was considered over after halftime. Jones will finish Week 5 with 53 yards from scrimmage on eight touches, while Ty Chandler, and to a lesser extent, Myles Gaskin, are poised to handle work out of the Vikings backfield for the rest of Sunday's contest.

Jones exited late in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Jets with a hip injury and is questionable to return, Stacey Dales of NFL Network reports.

Jones tried to loosen up and run on the sideline, but he felt some discomfort and had to shut it down. Ty Chandler replaced Jones to begin the second quarter, and the team will presumably have more information regarding Jones' status after halftime. Jones carried seven times for 29 yards and added a 24-yard reception before checking out of the game.

Gibson is slated to draw the start at running back for the Patriots on Sunday against the Dolphins, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Rhamondre Stevenson, who signed a four-year, $36 million extension this past offseason, has been operating as the team's lead back, but with four fumbles on 74 touches through the first four weeks, head coach Jerod Mayo has elected to turn to Gibson as the team's starter Sunday. That said, Mayo noted that Stevenson, who is averaging 4.1 yards per carry on the season, will play versus Miami, but his ball-security issues of late have opened the door for Gibson (5.3 yards per carry on 29 attempts) to see added snaps, at least in Week 5. With that in mind, Gibson offers a fantasy lineup alternative for those currently in need of running back help due to bye weeks or injury issues.

Pierce (hamstring) is listed as questionable but isn't expected to play in Sunday's game versus Buffalo, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Pierce hasn't played since Week 1, when he logged just nine offensive snaps and carried three times for 16 yards against Indianapolis. His return Sunday would be well-timed since Joe Mixon has been ruled out for a third straight week due to ankle injury, but Pierce doesn't look as though he'll be able to help buoy the Texans' running back corps. Cam Akers is likely to lead Houston's backfield again, with Dare Ogunbowale serving as his primary backup. Official word on Pierce's status will arrive when the Texans release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.