NFL Player News

Watson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Seahawks.

Watson is clearly behind Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie fifth-round pick Audric Estime on the running back depth chart, making his inactive status for the opener unsurprising. The undrafted rookie beat the odds to make the final 53-man roster, but Watson will likely need an injury to one of his aforementioned trio of teammates to garner active status in the foreseeable future.

Elliott is expected to have a "pretty even split" of the reps out of the backfield with Rico Dowdle in Sunday's season opener in Cleveland, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Though the Cowboys could end up riding the hotter hand of the two backs as the game goes along, both Elliott and Dowdle look set to be part of the team's game plan to begin the contest. Pelissero adds that practice-squad member Dalvin Cook could factor into Dallas' backfield mix as soon as Week 2 against the Saints, but the Cowboys chose not to elevate Cook for Week 1, leaving Deuce Vaughn as the No. 3 option behind Elliott and Dowdle. With the threat of a timeshare with Dowdle on the table for at least Week 1, Elliott might not make for an especially enticing option in fantasy lineups outside of deeper leagues.

Dowdle is expected to have a "pretty even split" of the reps out of the backfield with Ezekiel Elliott in Sunday's season opener in Cleveland, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Though the Cowboys could end up riding the hotter hand of the two backs as the game goes along, both Dowdle and Elliott look set to be part of the team's game plan to begin the contest. Pelissero adds that practice-squad member Dalvin Cook could factor into Dallas' backfield mix as soon as Week 2 against the Saints, but the Cowboys chose not to elevate Cook for Week 1, leaving Deuce Vaughn as the No. 3 option behind Dowdle and Elliott. With the threat of a timeshare with Elliott on the table for at least Week 1, Dowdle might not make for an especially enticing option in fantasy lineups outside of deeper leagues.

Cook won't play Sunday against the Browns after the Cowboys didn't elevate him from the practice squad ahead of Saturday's deadline for Week 1 roster moves, Mauricio Rodriguez of AToZSports.com reports.

Cook missed all of training camp and the preseason since he didn't sign with Dallas' practice squad until the final week of August, so he may need more time to familiarize himself with the Cowboys' offensive system before he's added to the roster. The Cowboys will head into Sunday's season opener with Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott and Deuce Vaughn as their available running backs.

Gibson (hip) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Gibson finished up the practice week with limited participation in both Thursday and Friday's sessions before being listed as questionable. With his Week 1 availability confirmed, Gibson is in line to work in a change-of-pace capacity behind Rhamondre Stevenson, a role that could result in the 26-year-old yielding a degree of fantasy utility in deeper PPR formats over the course of his first campaign with New England.

Wright (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Though the Dolphins invested a fourth-round pick into him during April's draft and he impressed out of the backfield in Miami's preseason finale, Wright will have to wait at least another week to make his NFL debut. With starter Raheem Mostert and change-of-pace dynamo De'Von Achane both entering the season healthy, the Dolphins won't have much of a role on offense available for Wright. The Tennessee product also didn't lock down a special-teams role coming out of the preseason, so Jeff Wilson will dress ahead of Wright as the Dolphins' No. 3 back.

McClellan (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

The rookie sixth-round pick out of Alabama's NFL regular-season debut will have to wait, after he was a healthy scratch for Week 1. The Falcons will have three active running backs versus Pittsburgh, with Tyler Allgeier and Avery Williams operating as backups to Bijan Robinson.

Akers (coach's decision) is inactive Week 1 against the Colts.

Akers was given steady carries throughout the preseason, but looking back, that likely wasn't a great sign for his playing time prospects. The Texans will move forward in Week 1 with Joe Mixon as the presumed starter, and Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale available in a backup capacity. Even undrafted rookie free agent British Brooks made it to the active roster, although that's most likely due to work on special teams.

Johnson (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Titans.

The Bears placed a cap on Johnson's practice reps Wednesday and Thursday due to a toe injury, but after Friday's full session, he didn't carry a designation into the weekend. No matter, he won't be available to the Bears offense Week 1, leaving Khalil Herbert and Travis Homer as the reserve running backs behind D'Andre Swift. Johnson will turn his focus to making his season debut next Sunday at Houston.

Gibson (hip), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, plans to play, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Gibson was a limited participant in practice Thursday and Friday, but the Patriots apparently saw enough from the running back to be convinced that he'll be ready to go. Assuming he avoids the inactive list -- which will be released 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff -- Gibson will likely work in a complementary role behind Rhamondre Stevenson. Most of Gibson's usage is expected to come on passing downs.