NFL Player News
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MarShawn Lloyd RB | GB
Packers' MarShawn Lloyd: Sitting out Friday
Lloyd (hamstring) is listed as inactive Friday against the Eagles in Brazil, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
Lloyd exited the Packers' preseason opener Aug. 10 at Cleveland due to a hamstring injury, which contained the rookie third-rounder to one limited practice (Thursday) during Week 1 prep. The lack of activity wasn't enough for him to make his NFL debut, leaving Emanuel Wilson (hip) and practice-squad elevation Ellis Merriweather as the available running backs behind starter Josh Jacobs. Lloyd will turn his focus to getting healthy for a Week 2 matchup with the Colts on Sunday, Sept. 15.
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Isaac Guerendo RB | SF
49ers' Isaac Guerendo: Remains limited
Guerendo (groin) remained limited in practice Friday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
The rookie missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury and then hurt his groin in late August a week after returning to practice. With Christian McCaffrey (calf) on track to play and Guerendo having taken very few practice reps this summer, there's not much chance of Guerendo having a significant role Week 1 even if he ends up being healthy enough to play.
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Christian McCaffrey RB | SF
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Listed as limited Friday
McCaffrey (calf) was a limited practice participant Friday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
He has just one more chance to progress to full participation before Monday's game against the Jets, but it does seem McCaffrey is on track to play after 49ers GM John Lynch made optimistic comments Friday morning, saying the running back is "doing great" and will "be out there and ready to go," per Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. The Niners listed McCaffrey as a limited participant Thursday as well, and he may end up being technically questionable even if the team expects him to play.
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Ellis Merriweather RB | GB
Packers' Ellis Merriweather: Joins active roster
The Packers elevated Merriweather to their active roster Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
The 25-year-old running back stuck around on the Packers' practice squad after failing to make the team's initial 53-man roster in late August, and he's now been elevated ahead of Green Bay's regular-season opener. Merriweather's elevation likely means that one or both of MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) and Emanuel Wilson (hip) won't suit up Friday night.
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Justice Hill RB | BAL
Ravens' Justice Hill: Active in passing game Thursday
Hill had one carry for three yards and added six receptions for 52 yards on eight targets in Thursday's loss to the Chiefs.
Fantasy managers were surprised to see Hill actually out-snap Derrick Henry, 43-37. The Ravens were in a catch-up script for much of the game, however, and Hill's pass-catching chops and blitz pickup ability get him on the field in those scenarios. Henry will take on a larger share of the offense going forward, but Hill is positioned to be the passing-down back at least until Keaton Mitchell (knee) returns. With that, Hill may have some appeal for the time being in deeper leagues with full PPR scoring.
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Christian McCaffrey RB | SF
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Looking healthy at practice
McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) is practicing Friday and appears to be moving well and without issue, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
49ers GM John Lynch said Friday morning that McCaffrey looks like his usual self and is expected to play in Monday's game against the Jets. McCaffrey was listed as limited Thursday on San Francisco's first official injury/practice report of the season, but it sounds like he may progress to full participation Friday or Saturday. His calf injury initially was reported the first week of August, about five weeks before San Francisco's season opener this coming Monday.
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Jaylen Warren RB | PIT
Steelers' Jaylen Warren: Cleared to play Week 1
Warren (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Warren was a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday, suggesting that he has fully recovered from the hamstring injury he picked up in mid-August. Despite an offseason overhaul that included a new quarterback in Russell Wilson (questionable, calf) and a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh is expected to deploy its backfield duo of Najee Harris and Warren in similar proportions to last season. Warren had 149 carries and 74 targets in the 2023 regular season to Harris' 255 carries and 38 targets.
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Antonio Gibson RB | NE
Patriots' Antonio Gibson: Questionable but optimistic
Gibson (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, but Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports that the running back is optimistic he'll be able to play.
Gibson closed out the week with limited participation in practice Thursday and Friday. If he's able to play, Gibson is expected to work in a change-of-pace role behind Rhamondre Stevenson, mixing in primarily for passing situations. JaMycal Hasty would be the next man up for backup duties if Gibson has a setback.
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Roschon Johnson RB | CHI
Bears' Roschon Johnson: Cleared for Week 1
Johnson (toe) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans.
Johnson missed a lot of practices and preseason games in August but isn't in any doubt for Week 1 after upgrading to full practice participation Friday. His role is less clear, as D'Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert figure to take most, if not all, of the carries, and Swift may also be preferred over Johnson in passing situations.
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Carson Steele RB | PHI
Chiefs' Carson Steele: Rushes twice in NFL debut
Steele logged two carries for three yards during Thursday's 27-20 win over the Ravens.
Steele also returned one kickoff for 28 yards. The undrafted rookie played just five offensive snaps Week 1 despite Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) not being available behind starter Isaiah Pacheco, but there's room for Steele's involvement to grow as he better acclimates to the Chiefs offense. Edwards-Helaire won't be eligible to come off the reserve/non-football injury list until at least Week 5, so Steele will get another opportunity to handle a key depth role Week 2 versus the Bengals.