NFL Player News

Ekeler may be in line to lead the Commanders backfield Sunday against the Steelers due to Brian Robinson (hamstring) being ruled out for the contest, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.

With Robinson sidelined Week 9 at the Giants, Ekeler started and paced Washington running backs with 47 percent of the snaps, while Jeremy McNichols took 39 percent and Chris Rodriguez handled 32 percent. The breakdown of touches was a different story, at least for the reserves. Ekeler earned 11 touches (for 83 yards from scrimmage and a rushing TD) to Rodriguez's 11 (all carries for 52 yards) and McNichols' eight (all rushes for 20 yards). Rodriguez has been elevated three times this season, so he'll need to be signed to the active roster Saturday in order to vie with Ekeler and McNichols for work Sunday.

Mason (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Coming out of a bye week, Mason was a full practice participant Wednesday and Friday, sandwiched around a limited session Thursday. His time as a prime fantasy asset nonetheless seems to be nearing an end, with coach Kyle Shanahan saying Friday that only an unexpected late setback would prevent running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) from playing this Sunday. Mason may still get some snaps and touches but won't dominate carries the way he did for much of the past two months.

Chestnut (foot) was limited in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Chestnut popped up on Thursday's injury report due to a foot issue, which limited him over the last two practices. If Chestnut cannot play Sunday, the Titans may elevate Jabari Small to serve as the No. 3 running back behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears.

Irving (toe) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against San Francisco, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Irving has been playing through the injury for weeks, with Bucs coach Todd Bowles revealing that it's a recurring problem that dates back to college. It doesn't seem to have impacted the rookie much during games, and he did more in practice this week after managing just one limited session the week before.

Johnson (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Vikings.

Johnson likely sustained a hamstring injury during practice this week and is now in jeopardy of missing Jacksonville's Week 10 game. He practiced in a limited fashion both Thursday and Friday, but if he's unable to play through the issue Sunday, expect Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby to handle all of the Jaguars' running back duties.

McCaffrey (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, with coach Kyle Shanahan saying Friday that the running back will play, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 49ers will need to activate him from injured reserve by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday if he's indeed going to make his season debut this Sunday. Shanahan said Thursday that he expected McCaffrey to play, then reaffirming the plan after Friday's practice. McCaffrey may not jump right back into his accustomed every-down role, but even somewhat lesser usage could be enough to produce a big stat line against Tampa Bay's struggling defense.

Pollard (foot) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chargers after returning to a limited practice Friday.

Fellow RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring) doesn't carry a Week 10 injury designation, either, and thus is set to return from a three-game absence. Pollard, who is coming off a 28-carry, 128-yard effort in a Week 9 overtime win over the Patriots, is on track to remain the Titans' lead back this weekend. The return of Spears should allow the team to ease Pollard's workload to a degree, but presumably not to an extent that would prevent him from maintaining fantasy utility versus Los Angeles.

Pierce (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Pierce will miss his second straight game, allowing Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor to handle backup duties behind workhorse Joe Mixon.

Bigsby (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest against the Vikings.

Both Bigsby and Travis Etienne (hamstring) were limited in practice all week, but both running backs will be available to the Jaguars offense this weekend. During this past Sunday's defeat at Philadelphia, Bigsby earned 52 percent of the snaps en route to eight carries for 22 yards, while Etienne handled a 31 percent snap share and turned five touches into 30 yards from scrimmage. The breakdown between the pair should be somewhat similar Week 10.

Etienne (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game versus the Vikings.

Both Etienne and Tank Bigsby (ankle) were limited in practice all week, but both running backs will be available to the Jaguars offense Week 10. During this past Sunday's loss at Philadelphia, Etienne earned a 31 percent snap share and had five touches for 30 yards from scrimmage, while Bigsby handled 52 percent of the snaps en route to eight carries for 22 yards. The breakdown between the two should be somewhat similar this weekend.