NFL Player News

Harris (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

The Steelers are managing Harris' practice reps after he tied a season high with 19 carries (for 78 yards and a touchdown) in this past Saturday's 34-11 win over the Bengals. After sitting out Wednesday's session, Harris took a step forward in terms of activity Thursday and still appears in good shape to play through his lingering knee concern in this Sunday's game in Seattle. He may need to put in a full practice Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend, however.

Luepke (thigh) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's game versus Detroit, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Luepke began Week 17 prep labeled as limited in Dallas' walkthrough due to a thigh injury, but he's been able to practice in full each of the two subsequent days. As such, he should be able to suit up Saturday against the Lions. Cowboys backup running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) has been ruled out for that contest, leaving Luepke and Deuce Vaughn as the remaining healthy ball carriers behind starter Tony Pollard. Practice-squad member Malik Davis is also an option, though he'd need to be signed to the active roster to suit up since he's already been elevated three times this season. Whether or not that happens, there appears to be a path for Luepke to see more than his usual allotment of work on offense versus Detroit.

Robinson (hamstring) was limited at practice Thursday.

With back-to-back capped sessions in his back pocket this week, Robinson may be closing in on his first game action since Week 13, when he initially injured his hamstring. The Commanders may be anticipating Robinson being active Sunday against the 49ers after placing fellow running back Chris Rodriguez (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday. In the end, Friday's practice report will be the first opportunity for the team to clear Robinson for Week 17 action, but he may be a better bet to receive an injury designation for this weekend's contest.

Mattison (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Since sitting out Week 15 due to a sprained right ankle, Mattison handled a bit role in the offense (two carries on five offensive snaps) this past Sunday versus the Lions and now has been listed as limited on back-to-back injury reports during Week 17 prep. He likely will need to return to all activity Friday in order to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers. Even if he's able to suit up again this weekend, though, Mattison may play second fiddle to RB Ty Chandler, who logged 65 percent of snaps and had eight rushes for 17 yards and a touchdown against Detroit.

Dillon (thumb) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Dillon remains impacted by the broken right thumb that kept him sidelined for a Week 15 loss to the Buccaneers. He was able to play through it this past Sunday in Carolina, but he earned a season-low snap share (18 percent) on his way to seven carries for 12 yards and one touchdown. Fellow running back Aaron Jones (knee/finger) also has had a cap on his reps this week, so Friday's injury report will unveil whether or not the pair enter the weekend with injury designations ahead of Sunday's road game against the Vikings.

Achane (toe) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

After sitting out the Dolphins' first Week 17 practice session Wednesday, Achane took a step forward in terms of activity a day later. The Dolphins haven't suggested that Achane's lingering toe injury is anything that will seriously threaten his availability for Sunday's game against the Ravens, but fellow running back Raheem Mostert's (knee/ankle) status may be a little more uncertain. Mostert is still expected to play this weekend, but he was a non-participant in practices Wednesday and Thursday and could take a designation into Sunday if he doesn't return to the field Friday as a full participant.

Miller (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Brooke Kirchhofer of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Miller has missed the Saints' last six games due to an ankle sprain he sustained in Week 9 versus the Bears, and now his availability for Week 17 is also in doubt. If he can't manage to practice in full Friday, he'll probably carry an injury designation into the weekend.

Jones (knee/finger) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

After the Packers estimated him as limited at Wednesday's walkthrough, Jones maintained that activity level one day later. He followed a similar practice routine last week before avoiding an injury designation entirely for this past Sunday's game at Carolina, when he churned out 135 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not Jones enters this weekend with a designation ahead of Sunday's NFC North showdown at Minnesota.

Elliott didn't practice Thursday due to an illness.

Elliott practiced fully Wednesday, but his absence from Thursday's session makes his status worth tracking as Sunday's game against the Bills approaches. If Elliott is able to suit up this weekend, he'll continue to lead the New England backfield after the Patriots placed Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Dowdle (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Lions, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Dowdle has been playing through an ankle injury in the Cowboys' previous six games, but he apparently reached a breaking point this week after missing back-to-back practices Wednesday and Thursday. His absence could mean Deuce Vaughn is active for the first time since Week 10, but the team may lean on fullback Hunter Luepke instead or otherwise sign Malik Davis off the practice squad to serve as a reserve option behind top RB Tony Pollard.