NFL Player News

Blue might be pushed for the role of No. 2 running back for the Cowboys after committing a fumble in a Week 8 loss to the Broncos, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. "I'm always going to go back to the consistency," coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the loss. "You can't put the ball on the ground. You have to be on top of your blitz pick-ups. You have to do those things."

Dallas was able to recover the fumble, so it didn't end up costing the team a possession, but Schottenheimer's quote suggests there's a lot more that Blue needs to work on than just ball security. The 2025 fifth-round pick has seen 15 carries over the last two games, gaining 58 rushing yards on 3.9 yards per carry, and it might only be a lack of organizational depth that's keeping him in the top backup spot behind Javonte Williams. Veteran Malik Davis has been bouncing between the gameday roster and the practice squad and has only one activation left before he'll need to be signed to a full contract, while Blue's fellow rookie, Phil Mafah (shoulder), remains on the IR without a timeline for his NFL debut.

Bryant is the lone healthy tight end on the 53-man roster after Houston announced that Dalton Schultz (knee, shoulder) did not practice Wednesday, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Schultz's injury coupled with the health of wide receivers Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) -- both of whom were limited participants Wednesday -- raises Bryant's profile leading up to Week 9's home game against Denver. Of course, there's still time for Schultz to get on the practice field, and he didn't appear to be hurt last week, when he played to the final snap in Week 8's win over San Francisco. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans didn't sound too concerned, indicating that he expects to get Schultz back as the week goes on. Bryant has one reception on four targets for five yards while playing 26 percent of the offensive snaps in the six games he's played this season.

Latu recorded two tackles (zero solo), including 0.5 sacks, in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans.

Latu helped end the Titans' first offensive possession, taking down Cam Ward on third down for a six-yard loss. He now has 2.5 sacks, 17 total tackles and two interceptions across seven games for the season. The 2024 first-rounder is consistently seeing between 50 and 73 percent of defensive snaps.

Franklin recorded two tackles (zero solo) in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans.

Franklin was among many of the Colts' defensive starters to see their snap rate cut due to the game script. He logged a season low in tackles as a result. While this result was largely out of his control, Franklin has been among the most disappointing IDP options around the league halfway through the campaign.

Pratt recorded eight tackles (three solo), including one for a loss, in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans.

Pratt led the team in tackles despite seeing his snap rate decrease for the third straight game, this time likely due to game script. He has 23 total tackles in three contests since joining the Colts and should continue to work alongside Zaire Franklin in the middle of the team's defense.

Blackmon recorded three tackles (three solo) with one pass defensed in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans.

Most of the Colts' defensive starters sat late in the game due to the blowout game script, and Blackmon was no exception. He logged his lowest tackle total since Week 1 as a result, though he should bounce back in Week 9 against the Steelers.

Stone logged nine tackles (seven solo) in the Bengals' loss to the Jets on Sunday.

Stone finished second on the team in tackles behind Demetrius Knight's 12. Stone is on pace to set a new career-high total in tackles, having already recorded 51 tackles (32 solo) across just eight games played. The 26-year-old will look to keep producing in the Week 9 matchup versus the Bears.

Jones tallied two solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in Tennessee's loss to the Colts on Sunday.

Jones was one of the Titans' few bright spots during the blowout loss, as he recorded one of the team's two sacks. The 28-year-old has now registered a sack in three consecutive games and will look to keep the streak going during the Week 9 matchup versus the Chargers.

Barton logged three tackles (two solo) during the Titans' loss to the Colts on Sunday.

Barton played every defensive snap for Tennessee in the loss, a feat he has accomplished in all eight games to start the season. The 28-year-old has recorded 45 tackles (25 solo) so far this campaign and will look to add to his totals in the Week 9 matchup against the Chargers.

Sweat tallied two solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in Tennessee's loss to the Colts on Sunday.

Sweat has now recorded a sack in back-to-back games since returning from the ankle injury he suffered in the Week 1 loss versus the Broncos. The 24-year-old will look to build on this strong performance and keep producing in the Week 9 matchup versus the Chargers.