NFL Player News

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that McCaffrey (Achilles) may "start hitting the rehab here harder on Monday," Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

McCaffrey has returned from his trip to Germany to see a specialist for his Achilles tendinitis. He won't be eligible to return from injured reserve until Week 6 and still may be out much longer than that, but it sounds like he's at least gotten clearance to increase his activity level within the next few days.

Bigsby (shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Texans and is expected to play.

Bigbsy has been playing through the shoulder issue the last couple weeks. On the year, he has produced a 14-82-0 rushing line behind Travis Etienne in Jacksonville's backfield. Bigsby has yet to draw a single target in the pass game. Bigsby is little more than a fantasy bench stash.

Mostert (chest) was a limited practice participant Friday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

For a second consecutive week, Mostert is operating with a cap on his practice reps due to the chest injury that has plagued him since a Week 1 win against the Jaguars. Per Furones, Mostert expressed optimism Friday about returning to action Week 4, but the main hindrance for him at the moment is pain tolerance. Considering the Dolphins don't play until 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, there won't be many backfield options to pivot to if he eventually goes down as inactive. On the other hand, if Mostert is available, he likely will wear some extra padding to help avoid any sort of aggravation of the issue. Whenever he's back, though, there's a good chance he'd play second fiddle to fellow Miami RB De'Von Achane.

Patterson is expected to see more playing time Sunday against the Colts with Jaylen Warren (knee) ruled out, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Patterson is coming off his most productive game of the young season last week, rushing four times for 33 yards against the Chargers while adding three catches for 15 additional yards on five targets. Najee Harris likely will get all he can handle as the early-down back versus Indy, but Patterson may approach Warren's usage (6.3 touches per game so far) as the backup. It's likely not enough to make Patterson a worthwhile fantasy play.

Irving (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest versus the Eagles.

Irving sandwiched a pair of limited practices around a DNP on Thursday due to a hamstring injury this week, leaving his status up in the air heading into the weekend. Through three games to start his career, the rookie fourth-rounder has been a regular in the Buccaneers offense, turning 30 touches into 182 yards from scrimmage. Irving's status won't be confirmed until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but if he's available he may continue to make inroads in Tampa Bay's backfield, which currently is led by Rachaad White and his 2.1-yards-per-carry average.

Mixon (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after returning to a limited practice Friday.

Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Mixon looked good in his return to practice and had a solid day of work Friday. Added context regarding the running back's Week 4 status should arrive either late Saturday or early Sunday via national reporters such as Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, but fortunately for those considering Mixon in fantasy lineups, the Texans kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. If Mixon ends up limited or out versus Jacksonville, Cam Akers would be in line for added backfield touches because Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is slated to to miss his third straight game.

Kamara (hip/ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Atlanta, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

He managed limited practices Thursday and Friday after sitting out Wednesday. That would seem to make Kamara better than 50/50 to play, but fantasy managers will still want to prepare for the alternative ahead of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff this Sunday. Fellow Saints RB Jamaal Williams will take on a larger role if Kamara is inactive or limited, with rookie Jordan Mims and versatile weapon Taysom Hill also candidates to get some carries.

Pierce (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Pierce, who didn't practice this week, thus is slated to miss his third straight game. Meanwhile, top back Joe Mixon (ankle) returned to a limited practice Friday and is questionable for the contest. Pierce's next chance to see game action will arrive Sunday, Oct. 6 against the Bills.

Walker (oblique) was limited at Friday's walkthrough, Corbin K. Smith of SI.com reports.

After donning pads at Thursday's practice, Walker was able to go down as a limited participant for a second day in a row. He appears to be closing in on a return to action since suffering an oblique injury Week 1, which has sidelined him the last two games. Ultimately, Saturday's practice report will reveal whether or not he heads into Monday's contest at Detroit with a designation. Zach Charbonnet would stand to benefit if Walker is inhibited or sidelined again for Week 4 action.

Robinson (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Saints.

The Falcons added Robinson to the injury report Thursday as a limited participant, but it's apparently not a significant concern after he logged a full practice Friday and avoided a game designation. He should be fine to handle his usual heavy workload in Atlanta's first divisional game of the year, facing a Saints defense that won't have star linebacker Demario Davis (hamstring).