NFL Player News

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Friday that he's already decided between Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard as the lead runner for Sunday's game against the Jets but won't reveal his plan, Steve Reed of The Associated Press reports.

Hubbard missed the previous two games due to a calf injury but has been cleared to return after practicing this week. In Hubbard's absence, Dowdle became one of a handful of running backs in NFL history to exceed 230 yards from scrimmage and score a touchdown in consecutive games. The recent success makes Dowdle at least a slight favorite to lead Carolina's backfield Week 7, though not necessarily beyond that.

Hendrickson (hip) is optimistic that he'll be ready to return against the Jets in Week 8, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Hendrickson was pushing to play in Thursday's 33-31 win over the Steelers before ultimately being deemed inactive. With more than a week to recover, Hendrickson could make his return in Week 8, though his practice participation level will offer insight as to how well-founded the standout pass rusher's optimism is.

Lamb (ankle) said Thursday that he plans to play in Sunday's game against the Commanders without any snap limitations, Clarence Hill Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.

Lamb said he could've played last week at Carolina but would've been limited. He returned to practice this week, listed as limited Wednesday and Thursday, with the expectation that he'll partake again Friday in some capacity. It remains to be seen if the Cowboys agree with Lamb's optimism about his Week 7 status.

Hubbard (calf) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at the Jets, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

The remaining question is how the Panthers split work between Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, the latter of whom ran for 389 yards over the past two games (both wins) while Hubbard was out. Head coach Dave Canales hasn't been helpful on that front, merely noting that Dowdle has earned the right to maintain a role. Dowdle already had a role, of course, getting between seven and 11 touches in Weeks 2 through 4 when Hubbard was the starter. In light of his consecutive big performances, Dowdle could take on a larger portion of the workload, but the Panthers probably won't provide hints on the specifics before Sunday's game.

Diggs (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Commanders, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Diggs had an incident in his home Thursday night that landed him in concussion protocol. He will need to clear the protocol to have a chance to return against the Broncos in Week 8. Diggs' absence Sunday will make a Cowboys secondary that has been the worst in the league at defending wide receivers even more vulnerable, though Washington may not have the personnel to capitalize given Terry McLaurin's (quadriceps) absence and the uncertainty over Deebo Samuel's (heel) availability.

Bears coach Ben Johnson said Friday morning that Swift's groin injury isn't something new from practice, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

It sounds like Swift's addition to the injury report Thursday (as a limited participant) was a matter of maintenance rather than anything that might impact his Week 7 availability, but it's still worth keeping an eye on the situation unless he avoids a designation on the final injury report Friday afternoon.

McLaurin (quadriceps) is ruled out for Sunday's game at Dallas, Commanders writer Ben Standig reports.

McLaurin was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimate, but he didn't participate Thursday when the Commanders actually held a practice. He then warmed up for practice Friday, before moving to a side field once his teammates started going through drills. Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Friday that McLaurin is getting closer to a return, but it doesn't seem the wideout was all that close to playing this Sunday. Next week could be a different story, with the benefit of an extra rehab day before facing the Chiefs on Monday Night Football (Oct. 27).

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said Friday that Nolen (calf) won't be activated for Sunday's game against the Packers, Bo Brack of PHNX Sports reports.

Nolen practiced Wednesday, opening his three-week window to come off the PUP list, but he won't be activated for Sunday's game against the Packers. The rookie first-round pick's next chance to make his NFL debut will come Nov. 3 in Dallas following the Cardinals' Week 8 bye.

Harrison (concussion) remains in concussion protocol Friday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

The Cardinals listed Harrison as a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday, following his early exit from the Week 6 loss at Indianapolis. A full practice Friday would have fantasy managers feeling better, although Harrison still will need final clearance from a neurologist even if everything goes well on the practice field.

Dulin (chest) will remain a nonparticipant in practice Friday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Dulin has not practiced at all this week, suggesting he will likely be ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers. The same is true for Josh Downs (concussion), so Adonai Mitchell has a nice opportunity to take on an increased role alongside Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce if Mitchell can get back in the coaching staff's good graces. Anthony Gould rounds out the wide receiver depth chart.