NFL Player News

Nwangwu (knee) is inactive against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Nwangwu drew the questionable tag for Sunday's game after logging a full practice Friday. However, the sixth-year pro has not been cleared by medical staff to play, so Isaiah Williams will operate as the primary returner on both punts and kickoffs. Nwangu's next opportunity to suit up is Week 8 against the Raiders on Nov. 1.

Allen will remain the Jets' No. 1 back for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Dolphins, as Breece Hall has been declared inactive for the contest.

With Hall unavailable for a fourth straight game Sunday, Allen will have a chance to build on the averages of 18.3 rush attempts, 84.3 rushing yards, 1.7 receptions and 11.3 receiving yards he's generated in the lead role over his teammate's first three absences. Despite their winless record, the Dolphins have been respectable defending the run, allowing 4.0 yards per carry to running backs, albeit while also conceding a 25-197-5 receiving line to the position.

Hall (quadriceps) is inactive for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Dolphins.

Early Sunday reports indicated Hall was unlikely to play, and a fourth straight absence for the star running back is now official. With Hall sidelined again Sunday, Braelon Allen, who's averaged 18.3 carries, 84.3 rushing yards, 1.7 receptions and 11.3 receiving yards over the past three games while serving in the lead role, will once again helm the Jets' ground attack. Meanwhile, Hall will target a return to action in a Week 8 home matchup against the Raiders next Sunday.

Claiborne (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Claiborne is a healthy scratch for Week 7 due to the return of Jordan Mason. Mason has recovered from his thumb injury and is all set to resume his role as the backup running back to Aaron Jones, making Claiborne largely obsolete for the Vikings' offense.

Spears (knee) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Browns.

Beginning during Week 3 prep, Spears has experienced practice restrictions most weeks due to first an ankle injury and currently a knee issue. He's been able to suit up for each of the last four games but played second fiddle to Tony Pollard out of the Titans backfield, turning eight carries and 11 catches (on as many targets) into 47 yards from scrimmage. Now that Spears is confirmed to be unavailable, though, the active RBs behind Pollard on Sunday are Julius Chestnut, Michael Carter and Kalel Mullings.

Jacobs is expected to start in his season debut Sunday against the Lions, but the extent of his role is likely to be decided upon as the game unfolds, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.

While he spent the first six weeks of the season on the commissioner's exempt list, Jacobs was still allowed at the Green Bay facility and was able to stay on top of his conditioning, but he wasn't cleared to resume practicing with the team until Wednesday. After a full week of drills, the Packers were comfortable enough with activating Jacobs for Sunday, but the team plans to "keep an eye on him" and may not be ready to hand him his normal workload right off the bat. In the weeks to come, Jacobs shouldn't have much trouble reclaiming a three-down workhorse role, given the struggles of Green Bay's other running backs in generating production over the first six games of the season.

Donaldson (shoulder) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris, Jeff Nowak of The Big 870 New Orleans reports.

Donaldson sustained a shoulder injury during the first quarter of Sunday's game, and the injury is severe enough for him to be sidelined for the rest of the contest. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller will be the Saints' two remaining running backs the rest of the way in Donaldson's absence.

Donaldson (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris.

Donaldson picked up the injury during the first quarter and has been taken to the locker room to undergo more tests on his shoulder injury. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller would be the remaining, healthy running backs on the Saints active roster for the rest of Sunday's game if Donaldson is not cleared to return.

Cam Skattebo is expected to reclaim duties as the Giants' starting running back in Sunday's game against the Texans, but Tracy is expected to remain "heavily in the mix," Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

After receiving at least 15 touches in each of the Giants' first five games, Skattebo had his playing time scaled back dramatically in the Week 6 loss to the Saints, logging no carries or receptions while playing just six snaps on offense. The main beneficiary of Skattebo's role reduction was Tracy, who carried six times for 18 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for 27 yards and another score across a season-high 29 offensive snaps. The Giants' decision to pare back Skattebo's workload looks to be a one-time arrangement as a result of his fumble issues in the prior five contests, and while Skattebo should take back an increased workload in Week 7, Tracy won't be phased out of the game plan entirely. Raanan speculates that the Giants will proceed with "close to a 50/50 split" between the two backs Sunday, with Devin Singletary picking up any of the remaining snaps out of the backfield.

Dowdle (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Saints in Paris, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.

After missing three straight games due to a dislocated toe, Dowdle made his return to action in last week's overtime win over the Buccaneers, finishing with 40 yards on seven carries and nine yards on three receptions. However, he seemingly emerged from that contest with a new knee issue, which limited his participation in Week 7 prep and resulted in him being listed as questionable heading into Sunday. The Steelers were apparently encouraged enough by how Dowdle looked in pregame warmups to clear him to play against the Saints, and the 28-year-old should be ready to work in his usual complementary role behind lead back Jaylen Warren.