With Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Henderson is in line to serve as the Patriots' lead back this weekend, per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site.

Henderson broke out for a career-high 75 yards on 10 carries in last week's win over the Browns, a game in which Stevenson logged 14 carries and a catch on two targets. In Stevenson's absence, Henderson is poised to see an uptick in touches versus Atlanta, a context that provides a boost to the 2025 second-rounder's fantasy lineup appeal Week 9. For now, Terrell Jennings is the only other healthy running back on New England's active roster, but D'Ernest Johnson, Jonathan Ward and Rushawn Baker are candidates to be elevated from the team's practice squad.

Henderson carried the ball 10 times for 75 yards in Sunday's 32-13 win over the Browns.

It was a career-best performance for the rookie running back, although Henderson's day was marred somewhat by a lost fumble, his first of the season. Rhamondre Stevenson led the Patriots with 14 carries, but he managed just 34 rushing yards on that volume, and the workload could begin to tip toward the freshman given his superior explosiveness. Henderson will look to build on this performance in Week 9 against the Falcons.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Thursday that Henderson's reduced workload in the Patriots' Week 7 win over the Titans was "circumstantial," and the running back could see his snap count return to normal this Sunday against the Browns, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports. "Runners get into a rhythm," McDaniels said, acknowledging that starter Rhamondre Stevenson's hot start against the Titans contributed to him garnering a larger share of the rushing load. "And sometimes that happens. I know TreVeyon has led us in carries in other games, and certainly Rhamondre did last week. So, there's nothing specific."

After a promising preseason, Henderson looked well on his way to being a major factor out of the New England backfield right away, if not unseating Stevenson as the team's top option. Instead, the rookie second-round pick's role had remained relatively static through the first six weeks, with Henderson's snap share ranging between 30 and 50 percent while he produced a 41-148-1 rushing line and 16-99-0 receiving line over that stretch. He then saw his playing time plunge significantly in Week 7, with Henderson's nine snaps representing a season-low total. In addition to averaging just 3.6 yards per carry, Henderson has drawn criticism for his pass blocking, but McDaniels suggested that the Patriots aren't yet ready to limit the rookie's opportunities on a more permanent basis. That said, with Stevenson representing the Patriots' clear No. 1 option at the moment, Henderson will be difficult to deploy with much confidence in weekly fantasy lineups until his touch counts pick up.

Monangai is poised to lead the Bears backfield Sunday at Cincinnati in the wake of D'Andre Swift (groin) being ruled out, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Both Swift and Roschon Johnson (back) were unable to practice this week due to their respective injuries, and Chicago ruled out both players on Friday's practice report. Swift's health concern in particular has been lingering for weeks, so perhaps the Bears are giving him the week off with the long term in mind. In any case, Monangai will be the primary beneficiary Sunday, and the rookie seventh-round pick's average of 4.4 yards per carry so far as a pro indicates a fruitful performance is very possible against the Bengals' league-worst run defense (151.9 yards per game).

Monangai rushed seven times for 24 yards and caught his lone target for 25 yards in the Bears' 30-16 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.

Monangai has between 16 and 24 rushing yards in three of his last four contests, with an 81-yard effort and a touchdown in Week 7. His current workload keeps him a fantasy reserve unless opportunities expand.

Monangai rushed 13 times for 81 yards and one touchdown and caught two passes for 13 yards in the Bears' 26-14 win over the Saints on Sunday.

Monangai recorded his first game with more than seven rushes and 28 yards. Some of his increased work came because the Bears won by double digits. It's unlikely this level of workload continues unless D'Andre Swift misses time.

Neal (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at the Rams, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Neal (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Neal was limited at Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury.

Hutchinson could see a reduction in targets Week 9 against Denver, as both Nico Collins and Christian Kirk shed their injury designations Friday.

Hutchinson secured five of six targets for 69 yards and a touchdown in the Texans' 26-15 win over the 49ers on Sunday.

Hutchinson caught one of four targets for 13 yards in Monday's 27-19 loss to the Seahawks in Week 7.