NFL Player News

Merriweather reverted to the Packers' practice squad Saturday following Friday's 34-29 loss to the Eagles, per the NFL's transaction log.

Merriweather was active for Friday's game due to MarShawn Lloyd being ruled out with a hamstring injury, though the former didn't end up playing a snap. Merriweather could be elevated from the practice squad again for Week 2 against the Colts if Lloyd is unable to suit up for that contest.

Guerendo (groin) practiced in full Saturday and doesn't have an injury designation for Monday's Week 1 contest against the Jets.

Guerendo was a limited participant in each of San Francisco's first two practices of the week after missing all of last week due to a groin injury. He is in line to make his NFL debut Monday, though, after returning to a full practice session Saturday. Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) is listed as questionable for the opener against the Jets but has stated that he's definitely suiting up, so Guerendo will likely see limited work in the running game behind the star tailback and backup Jordan Mason.

McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Jets, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

McCaffrey said Friday that he will be available for the season opener, and while the expectation remains that he'll be cleared ahead of Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, his questionable designation could hint that the 49ers plan to manage his workload. Regardless of McCaffrey's availability and touch count in Week 1, Jordan Mason should be primed for some work as the primary backup to the star running back.

The Panthers elevated Boone to the active roster Saturday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

With Jonathon Brooks (knee) set to miss at least the first four games of the regular season while on the NFI list, Boone will serve as the fourth running back on the Panthers' depth chart for Sunday's game against the Saints behind Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders and Raheem Blackshear. Boone appeared in nine regular-season games for the Texans in 2023, finishing with five carries for 23 yards and seven catches (on nine targets) for 40 yards.

Gaskin was elevated to the Vikings' active roster Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

This had been widely assumed after Gaskin failed to make the initial 53-man roster, leaving the Vikings with just two active running backs ahead of Week 1. At minimum, the 2019 draft pick figures to be a potential return specialist, and he could see some playing in the passing game spelling both Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler.

Wilson had four carries for 46 yards and two receptions for two yards in Friday's 34-29 loss to the Eagles.

A hip injury left Wilson's status for Week 1 uncertain, but he suited up and filled the backup spot behind starter Josh Jacobs and ripped off several quality runs. Rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) could be back for Week 2, but he has not gotten in much work since the start of training camp, so Wilson could continue working in the No. 2 role.

Barkley rushed 24 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns while corralling both of his targets for 23 yards and a third score in Friday's 34-29 win over Green Bay.

Barkley was worth every cent of his Week 1 salary after scoring a trio of touchdowns in his first game with Philadelphia after signing a three-year, $37.8 million contract this past offseason. The former Giants superstar dominated the backfield touches, ceding just one carry to backup Kenneth Gainwell. Barkley became the first player to hit pay dirt three times in a debut with the Eagles since legendary wide receiver Terrell Owens accomplished the feat in 2004.

Jacobs rushed 16 times for 84 yards and caught two of three targets for 20 yards in a 34-29 loss to the Eagles on Friday.

Jacobs started slowly, gaining just four yards on six carries in the first half. However, the Alabama product looked much more explosive after halftime, ripping off three runs of over 10 yards, including a 32-yarder early in the fourth period that helped set up a Green Bay field goal. It was an altogether promising first game as a Packer for Jacobs, who surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in three of his five campaigns with the Raiders.

Merriweather is active for Friday's game versus the Eagles in Brazil, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

Earlier Friday, Green Bay elevated Merriweather from the practice squad, and he now will be in uniform with the team opting to make rookie third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) inactive. Emanuel Wilson (hip) was limited in practice this week, and while he's available for RB reps behind starter Josh Jacobs, there's a chance Merriweather may see the first NFL action of his career. In three preseason games last month, Merriweather averaged 3.8 yards on his 26 carries.

McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) said Friday that he has no doubt he'll play Monday against the Jets, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

McCaffrey made the comment after being a limited practice participant Thursday and Friday, but he was less confident about handling his normal workload, merely responding, "I hope so," when reporters asked. While the playing time won't be entirely up to him, it sounds like McCaffrey isn't worried about missing Monday's game on account of the calf/Achilles injury that was initially reported the first week of August. He's been doing work on a side field since mid-August and rejoined practice with his teammates Tuesday.