NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports C.J. Spiller (knee) will not play in Week 1 at Arizona.
RapSheet indicates Spiller should miss just one game, and be "good to go after that," meaning he'll likely play in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. A previous report stated Spiller would likely miss Weeks 1-2, so this qualifies as good news. Mark Ingram should operate as a workhorse against the Cardinals, with Khiry Robinson and perhaps Tim Hightower or rookie scatback Marcus Murphy taking on bigger roles. When Spiller returns, he should immediately take over the Darren Sproles/Pierre Thomas role as Sean Payton's passing-game back.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports C.J. Spiller (knee) will not play in Week 1 at Arizona.
RapSheet indicates Spiller should miss just one game, and be "good to go after that," meaning he'll likely play in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. A previous report stated Spiller would likely miss Weeks 1-2, so this qualifies as good news. Mark Ingram should operate as a workhorse against the Cardinals, with Khiry Robinson and perhaps Tim Hightower or rookie scatback Marcus Murphy taking on bigger roles. When Spiller returns, he should immediately take over the Darren Sproles/Pierre Thomas role as Sean Payton's passing-game back.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Todd Gurley (knee) isn't expected to play at least the first three weeks of the season.
Per RapSheet, the Rams want to be "sure he’s back fully" from his torn ACL. The recommended timetable for full recovery is 10 months, and the Rams can afford to wait with Tre Mason, Benny Cunningham, and Isaiah Pead available to carry the rock the first month. Gurley should be back by October at this rate.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and executive VP Stephen Jones both "admit they have not yet decided who will start" at running back in Week 1 against the Giants.
Joseph Randle is listed No. 1 on the Dallas depth chart, but that is subject to change. Jones said Tuesday that the starter "will likely be decided in practice this week." Most signs point toward Randle getting the first crack, but there seems to be a sense at Cowboys headquarters that Darren McFadden is the team's best all-around back. Lance Dunbar "has a clearly defined role as the team's third-down back." Even in a plum matchup versus a weak Giants run defense, Cowboys running backs are going to be dicey fantasy investments. "Obviously, last year, we did it with one back," Jones said, referring to DeMarco Murray. "This year, I see a lot of people contributing to our success."
FOX Sports' Alex Marvez cautions to "not be surprised" to see Bryce Brown "receive a good chunk of playing time" Week 1 against the Colts.
Marvez cites "injuries" in the Bills' backfield as the reason for Brown's snaps to rise. LeSean McCoy (hamstring) and Karlos Williams (abdominal) are working their way back from ailments, but are believed to be on track for the opener. It's possible the Bills won't push them for their normal workloads, but it's hard to see Brown getting significant reps unless McCoy or Williams misses the game.
ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim said the coaching staff "really likes" rookie RB Matt Jones "more than they ever liked Roy Helu," and Jones will get "plenty more" carries than Helu.
Helu got 40 carries last season as the sparingly-used change-of-pace, third-down back to Alfred Morris. It sounds like Jones could more than double that number coming off his impressive preseason. Handpicked by this coaching staff, Jones will likely get the chance to steal more carries each week from Morris and should have an immediate role as the Redskins' third-down, pass-game back. Jones showed do-it-all, lead-back ability averaging 6.95 YPC in the preseason.
Alfred Blue is listed as the No. 2 to Arian Foster on the Texans' latest depth chart.
With Foster (groin) out for at least Week 1, Blue is expected to get the start against the Chiefs. The Chiefs may be without NT Dontari Poe (back), but we're not all that confident in Blue's talent. He averaged 2.75 YPC over the final two preseason games and 3.1 as a rookie. Chiefs-Texans has one of the lowest over-under totals of Week 1. Blue may see some volume but little results.
Coach Rex Ryan said LeSean McCoy (hamstring) will practice in full Wednesday and be "ready to roll" for Sunday's Week 1 opener against the Colts.
McCoy took part in individual drills Tuesday and will progress to the next step Wednesday, putting him on track for Sunday after sitting out the past three-plus weeks of action. It's unclear if McCoy will handle his normal full workload, and the Bills project to be trailing, so it could mean fewer carries. McCoy is an RB2.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Clarence Hill calls Darren McFadden the "likely starter" for the Cowboys' Week 1 opener against the Giants.
This comes as a mild surprise after signs continued to point toward Joseph Randle getting the "start" Sunday night. According to Hill, the Cowboys "don't have a pitch count" for McFadden and could conceivably ride him for the game's entirety. That seems unlikely, and both Randle and Lance Dunbar should get work, but this further proves this is a situation to avoid Week 1.
Harvin's been battling a hip issue all summer and didn't play during the preseason. A walking injury, Harvin's status for Week 1 against the Colts is uncertain.
Duke Johnson (concussion) has been cleared to practice.
Johnson was concussed in the Browns' third preseason game, his first action of the summer following a hamstring strain. He's had very little practice time since being drafted back in May, but with the trade of Terrance West and ongoing consistency issues from Isaiah Crowell, the path is pretty clear for Johnson to carve out a role in the Browns' backfield. He's expected to play Week 1.
ESPN Giants reporter Dan Graziano "believes" there's a "good chance" Victor Cruz (calf) doesn't play before Week 4.
Cruz has been battling a calf issue that could be related to his surgically-repaired knee for about three weeks now and is idle at Giants practice Wednesday. It doesn't sound like he's close to returning to the field after coach Tom Coughlin was unable to provide an update earlier this morning. Cruz is becoming increasingly-harder to roster in regular-sized 12-team leagues. Rueben Randle and Preston Parker will take on bigger offensive roles while Cruz is out.
Mike Evans (hamstring) remained sidelined at practice Wednesday.
Doubt is starting to creep in whether Evans will be ready for Sunday's opener against the Titans. He's going to need to practice this week. If Evans can't go, Louis Murphy will play starter's snaps opposite Vincent Jackson.
Coach Chuck Pagano said Frank Gore will be on a "pitch count" to open the season in order to keep him fresh for a playoff run.
Gore touched the ball just two times in the preseason and will likely have his practice snaps dialed back over the course of the year. He should still flirt with 20 touches weekly, but the Colts are going to work in their backups Josh Robinson and Tyler Varga here and there, especially if they jump out to big leads. Gore still has RB1 upside, but it's clear he'll be taken care of at age 32.
Dez Bryant (hamstring) is practicing in full for Week 1.
The Cowboys took a cautious approach with Bryant's hamstring, holding him out of the final two preseason games. His status for Sunday night's opener was never in doubt. Bryant will be a high-end WR1 against the Giants secondary.
Michael Floyd (dislocated fingers) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Floyd remains day to day, but it's a good sign for his Week 1 chances. He'll likely still need to graduate to a full practice to get cleared. Floyd is four-plus weeks removed from his hand injury.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Wednesday he still hasn't decided on a starter at running back for Week 1.
Perhaps more notably, Garrett suggested the nominal starting tailback "truly doesn't matter" because Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, and Lance Dunbar will all play against the Giants. Per beat writer Clarence Hill, "the bottom line is the Cowboys will truly be a running back by committee and the person who starts might not get the most carries." Randle and McFadden will both offer a lot of upside in Week 1, but also have low floors because their workloads are so uncertain. The Cowboys seem to be planning to use in-game "feel" to determine who gets the most carries.
