NFL Player News

Starks’ preseason struggles and a turf toe injury left him inactive for the first five games of the year. But now that Cedric Benson (foot) is out at least eight weeks, he’ll be back in the mix. Last year, Starks averaged 4.34 yards per carry and scored one touchdown while operating in a strict timeshare with Ryan Grant. Expect a similar committee approach now involving Starks and second-year man Alex Green. Brandon Saine has been a mere special teamer so far this season.

Howard returned to the practice field Friday after missing both sessions to start the week, keeping the door open for him to clear concussion protocol in time for Sunday’s game against the Steelers. Howard will need to remain asymptomatic and gain clearance from an independent neurologist to play.

Gardner missed last week’s game after suffering a calf strain in Week 6 against the Titans, but will return after getting in a limited session on Wednesday and a full practice on Thursday. We’re assuming that means he’s in line for another full practice today.

Like teammate Divine Deablo, Bowman returned to the practice field Thursday with a limited showing after missing the Week 7 win over the 49ers. The team gives him the questionable designation for Week 8 against the Buccaneers, keeping the door open for a return following one missed game. We’ll gain further clarity when the team released inactives 90-minutes prior to first kick on Sunday.

Deablo returned to the practice field in limited capacity Thursday after missing the team’s Week 7 win over the 49ers, keeping the door open for a return to the active game-day roster. We’ll get our final update when the team announces their inactives 90-minutes prior to first kick on Sunday.

Robinson will miss a second straight game with his hamstring injury, which positions Khalil Herbert to again serve as the backup to Bijan Robinson. Herbert rushed two times for nine yards in last week’s win over the 49ers while adding one reception for 19 additional yards. He will not be on the streaming radar this week.

This feels like a very optimistic questionable after Brown missed the last two practices of the week with a new knee tweak. Brown-reliant managers should be making contingency plans ready for Sunday. “We’ll see when he comes in tomorrow, and we’ll make a decision,” Vrabel said.

Steichen said Taylor will see a full workload despite being the subject of trade rumors for a Colts team that will clearly be sellers at the deadline. Taylor is healthy and not on the injury report, so this is strictly an update to inform fantasy managers they can start him with confidence this week. Taylor remains a high-end RB1 as long as his normal workload remains intact.

Warren was limited in practice on Thursday and Wednesday and will return to a rough receiver corps against a Jaguars defense coming off bye. Warren remains a startable TE1, but it’s hard to forge much of a ceiling case for him at this point.

Steichen confirmed that Downs did indeed request a trade, but that won’t stop him from being on the field this week against the Jaguars. The Colts appear to be in full sell mode after trading away OG Quenton Nelson and DT DeForest Buckner earlier this week. Downs has been on the practice field this week and profiles as a fringe WR3/WR4 after a string of tough outings.

Winfield has missed the last three games due to fractured ribs he suffered in Week 4. Winfield has earned a 76.8 defensive grade per PFF this season while racking up 24 tackles. The Panthers’ secondary held up fairly well during his three-game absence, allowing only 235.0 passing yards per game, but his return will be a welcomed one for Bowles and his defense.