NFL Player News

Ekeler rushed 15 times for 63 yards and caught three of four targets for 21 yards in Saturday's 24-22 loss to the Bills.

Ekeler saw his role reduced to single-digit touches in last week's loss to the Raiders, but his role was quickly restored by interim head coach Giff Smith on Saturday after Brandon Staley was let go last week. Ekeler responded with one of his better performances in what has been a down year affected by injury. The 28-year-old finished with a per-carry average above 4.0 yards for just the third time in 11 attempts since returning from a high-ankle sprain back in Week 6. Two of the three have come over the star tailback's last three contests, which could be the product of his ankle returning to full health in recent weeks. Ekeler's improved play coupled with a high touch count make him a plus fantasy play next Sunday against Denver.

Warren rushed eight times for 24 yards and caught five of six targets for 30 yards in Saturday's 34-11 win over the Bengals.

Najee Harris worked as Pittsburgh's primary option on the ground, rushing 19 times for 78 yards and a touchdown, but Warren caught five passes for a second consecutive game while Harris went without a target Saturday. Warren has reached 50 rushing yards only five times in 15 games, but his steady involvement as a pass catcher gives Warren a respectable PPR floor for a Week 17 matchup with the Seahawks.

Harris rushed 19 times for 78 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 34-11 win over the Bengals. He wasn't targeted in the passing game.

Harris powered in a three-yard touchdown in the second quarter, raising his season rushing touchdown total to five. He had a season-high 99 rushing yards and scored against the Bengals back in Week 12, so two of Harris' three highest yardage totals on the ground this season have come against the Bengals. Harris is averaging only 3.7 yards per carry against opponents other than Cincinnati, but he continues to handle the majority of rushing opportunities in Pittsburgh's backfield over Jaylen Warren (eight carries Saturday) heading into a Week 17 trip to Seattle.

Mixon rushed 11 times for 43 yards and caught two of four targets for seven yards in Saturday's 34-11 loss to the Steelers. He also caught a two-point conversion

Mixon was held to just four yards on five first-half carries as the Bengals took a 24-0 deficit into the locker room. Cincinnati largely abandoned the run in the second half due to the large deficit, though Mixon found a bit more running room and caught a two-point conversion after Cincinnati's lone touchdown in the third quarter. Mixon's 50 scrimmage yards marked his lowest total since Week 10, but backup Chase Brown had only 24 scrimmage yards, so Mixon remains in the lead role heading into a Week 17 trip to Kansas City.

Johnson (shoulder) is listed as inactive Saturday at the Chargers.

Johnson is sitting on the heels of his most productive game of the campaign Sunday against the Cowboys, when he notched nine carries for 54 yards and one catch (on one target) for four yards. He proceeded to be listed as limited on all three of the Bills' Week 16 practice reports due to a shoulder injury and headed into the weekend as questionable for Saturday's game. Buffalo signaled that Johnson may not be available when the team elevated Leonard Fournette earlier Saturday, and that has come to pass. As a result, Fournette and Latavius Murray will be the options to spell starting running back James Cook this week.

The Jets elevated Bawden to their active roster Saturday, Ethan Greenberg of the team's official site reports.

After letting Bawden go Wednesday, New York decided to bring him back on its practice squad Friday, and the fullback has since been elevated to the team's active roster. The 27-year-old has appeared in all 14 of the Jets' games thus far, tallying 17 yards from scrimmage on four touches and playing 266 snaps on special teams.

Mitchell (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Ravens, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Despite not practicing Thursday or Friday, Mitchell has been given a chance to make himself available to the 49ers backfield for the first time since Week 13. Such a decision won't become known until about 90 minutes before Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Mitchell can't suit up, Jordan Mason and Jeremy McNichols will be the RB options behind top runner Christian McCaffrey.

Breida (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Monday's game against the Eagles, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Breida upgraded to full practice participation Friday after a pair of limited sessions. He'll likely continue to fill a reserve role behind Saquon Barkley on Sunday against the stout Eagles front.

Jacobs (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Monday's game at Kansas City.

Jacobs was unable to practice before sitting out the Raiders' Week 15 win over the Chargers last Thursday due to a quad injury that he sustained four days earlier versus the Vikings. As Las Vegas reconvened for practice this Thursday, he managed just one limited session (Friday) during Week 16 prep while also dealing with an illness. Interim coach Antonio Pierce implied to Vic Tafur of The Athletic that because Monday's contest is a must-win situation, he expects "all the guys to play," even those that aren't healthy. Consequently, Jacobs may be trending toward a return to action, but if he's unable to do so, Zamir White likely would lead the team's backfield.

Edwards-Helaire (personal) doesn't have a designation for Monday's game against the Raiders.

Edwards-Helaire missed Friday's practice to tend to a personal matter, but he returned to drills one day later as a full participant, setting him up to be available for Week 16 action. Meanwhile, he'll welcome Isiah Pacheco back to the Chiefs backfield for the first time since Week 13, and Edwards-Helaire will be the primary complement to him, with Jerick McKinnon (groin) sidelined. On the campaign, Edwards-Helaire has averaged 3.4 yards on his 64 carries, hauled in 13 of 17 targets for 137 yards and scored two touchdowns in 13 appearances.