NFL Player News

Gainwell is likely to serve as the Steelers' starting running back during Sunday's game against the Vikings in Dublin, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Though lead back Jaylen Warren (knee) was listed as questionable heading into Sunday, he had generally been expected to play until the Steelers made him inactive after he didn't respond as well to pregame warmups as the team had hoped. Warren should be ready to play following the Steelers' Week 5 bye, but his absence for the Ireland game clears the way for Gainwell to step into a more pronounced role. Gainwell served as the Steelers' clear No. 2 running back through the first three weeks of the season and has accrued a 16-55-1 rushing line and 7-30-0 receiving line on 10 targets, though he had seen his snap share trend down in each successive game. Expect Gainwell's playing time to dramatically increase out of necessity Sunday, though he could operate as the lead option of a committee rather than a true three-down back. The Steelers have made both Kaleb Johnson and Trey Sermon active for Week 4, and both could see some involvement on early downs in order to keep Gainwell fresh on passing downs.

Smith (hip) is active for Sunday's game against the Vikings in Dublin, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Smith wasn't able to practice fully at any point during Week 4 and took a questionable tag into Sunday, but his hip issue isn't expected to limit him in Ireland. The tight end has seen ample involvement through the Steelers' first three games, playing at least 55 percent of snaps in every contest while accruing a 12-65-1 receiving line on 13 targets.

Warren (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Vikings in Dublin, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Though Warren had been listed as questionable heading into Sunday after he was a limited participant in practice all week due to a right knee injury, the prevailing belief heading into gameday was that he would be ready to handle his usual duties as the team's lead back. Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Warren was spotted warming up with a sleeve on his right leg earlier Sunday, but the 26-year-old ultimately didn't display enough progress for the Steelers to sign off on him playing. With Warren out of the mix, the Steelers will have Kenneth Gainwell, Kaleb Johnson and Trey Sermon as their available running backs in Week 4. With the benefit of a Week 5 bye, Warren should have sufficient time to heal from the knee issue and headline the Pittsburgh backfield in the team's next game Oct. 12 versus the Browns.

Stingley (oblique) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans and will work out prior to the contest before a determination on his availability is made, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

An oblique injury kept Singley off the practice field Wednesday and Thursday, but a limited session Friday allowed him to take a designation into the weekend. Per Rapoport, Stingley is pushing to suit up, and if he checks out well, he likely will be excluded from the Texans' inactive list that will be posted about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Through three games this season, Stingley has recorded eight tackles and three passes defensed.

Swift (hip) is slated to play Sunday at Las Vegas, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Swift has operated with a cap on his practice reps the last two weeks, first due to a quad injury during Week 3 prep and then a hip issue prior to Week 4 action. He was able to handle 61 percent of the snaps during last Sunday's win against the Cowboys on his way to 16 touches for 78 yards from scrimmage. Swift's status wil receive clarity once the Bears post their inactive list about 90 minutes before this Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Jennings (ankle/shoulder) is expected to suit up for Sunday's game versus the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Jennings finally got back on the practice field Friday for the first time since Week 2 prep, logging a limited session in the process and being listed as questionable for Sunday. While he and fellow WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) are in line to play this weekend, Jennings likely will have his snaps monitored as QB Brock Purdy (left shoulder/toe) sees his first game action since Week 1.

Pearsall (knee) is slated to play Sunday versus the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Pearsall followed up Wednesday's absence from practice due to a knee injury with back-to-back limited sessions to cap Week 4 prep, leaving him questionable for Sunday's contest. Fellow WR Jauan Jennings (ankle/shoulder) also was listed as questionable, and while both players are expected to be available this weekend, Jennings likely will have his snaps monitored. As a result, Pearsall should serve as one of Brock Purdy's (left shoulder/toe) top targets in the quarterback's first game action since Week 1.

Croskey-Merritt (knee) is in line to play Sunday in Atlanta, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Croskey was held out of all drills Wednesday and Thursday due to a knee injury, and despite his return to all activity Friday, the Commanders tagged him as questionable for Week 4 action. Assuming he avoids the inactive list about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, he'll resume his backfield committee work with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez in the wake of Austin Ekeler's season-ending torn Achilles from Week 2.

Likely (foot) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play in Sunday's game at Kansas City, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

After missing the first three contests of the campaign due to his recovery from foot surgery, Likely is poised for his first game action since Jan. 11, 2025 following a full practice Friday. His status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but Likely is expected to play second fiddle to fellow tight end Mark Andrews while he gets eased back in following a long layoff.

Cropper was elevated from the Cowboys' practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

With CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and Jonathan Mingo (knee) both sidelined for the Week 4 matchup against the Packers, Cropper's elevation provides the Cowboys with depth at wide receiver. The Fresno State product posted 83 catches for 1,086 yards and five touchdowns during his final collegiate season in 2022. Cropper could also contribute on special teams by potentially returning punts and kicks, per Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News.