NFL Player News

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.

Wilson (hip) is active for Friday's game against the Eagles in Brazil, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

There was no indication Wilson was tending to an injury before Week 1 prep, but the Packers capped his practice reps all week due to a hip issue before listing him as questionable. Now that he's active and rookie third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) isn't, Wilson should serve as the No. 2 RB behind starter Josh Jacobs for at least one contest. However, Green Bay elevated Ellis Merriweather from the practice squad Friday, meaning Wilson may be only an emergency option.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.