NFL Player News

Chandler could be in line for a "pretty even split" of work out of the backfield Sunday against the Broncos with Alexander Mattison (concussion), who remains listed as questionable but is on track to play, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Despite sustaining a concussion in last Sunday's win over New Orleans, Mattison was able to clear the five-step protocol relatively quickly. Though he took a questionable tag into the weekend, Mattison was a full practice participant Friday, and he appears to have received clearance from an independent neurologist to return to game action this Sunday. Though Mattison has operated as the Vikings' lead back all season, he's yet to score a touchdown as a runner and is averaging a lowly 3.5 yards per carry on 130 totes. Even before missing most of the final two quarters of last week's win, Mattison had been ceding some work to Chandler, who saw his role expand after No. 2 option Cam Akers sustained a season-ending Achilles tear the previous week. With 15 carries for 45 yards and no targets in the passing game against New Orleans, Chandler wasn't particularly efficient with his opportunities, though he did convert on a goal-line carry for a second-quarter touchdown.

Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game at Carolina, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 22-year-old suited up last week against the Giants after being a healthy scratch the previous three games, and he'll return to the inactive list Sunday with Rico Dowdle (ankle) available. Vaughn has 21 carries for 38 yards and six catches for 30 yards in six games this season, and his role is unlikely to change much while Dowdle and starter Tony Pollard are healthy.

Dowdle (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's game at Carolina, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 25-year-old was added to the injury report Saturday with an ankle issue, but it won't affect his availability for Sunday's contest. Fellow tailback Deuce Vaughn (coach's decision) is inactive, so Dowdle shouldn't have any limitations in the No. 2 role. Dowdle is coming off his most productive game of the season with 12 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown during last week's blowout win over the Giants.

Jackson (coach's decision) is inactive ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Jackson will be a healthy scratch for the second time since signing with the Giants in late October. The 24-year-old running back has spent time with Cleveland, Indianapolis and New York this season, recording 30 total yards on 19 touches.

Wilson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Wilson's status as a healthy inactive for Week 11 represents a steep fall for a player who averaged 4.9 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns in 16 games a season ago, but it likely speaks to the confidence the Dolphins have in the health of rookie De'Von Achane (knee), who will make his return from injured reserve Sunday. After the tandem of Achane and Raheem Mostert proved to be a lethal one through the first five weeks of the season while Wilson was on IR with an injury of his own, Wilson looks as though he could be an afterthought in the backfield rotation moving forward. In addition to Achane and Mostert, Salvon Ahmed is also active as the team's No. 3 back, though he's presumably getting the nod over Wilson due to his responsibilities on special teams.

Carter (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game in Houston.

After the Jets waived him Tuesday, Carter was claimed by the Cardinals on Wednesday, but the brief time to get acclimated to a new offense won't allow him to be available for his new team right off the bat. With Emari Demercado (toe) also out, Keaontay Ingram and Tony Jones will be the reserve running backs behind top option James Conner in Week 11.

Achane (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Achane ended up spending the minimum four games on injured reserve with the knee issue that has sidelined him since Week 6. Following their Week 10 bye, the Dolphins cleared Achane to return to practice, and he turned in three limited sessions before taking a questionable tag into the weekend. The Dolphins ultimately reinstated Achane from IR on Saturday to formally add him to the 53-man roster, and the expectation is that the dynamic rookie will be a "full go" in his return to the lineup, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. The Dolphins' decision to make Jeff Wilson a healthy inactive further supports that notion, though Achane is still likely to share snaps out of the backfield with starter Raheem Mostert. Even so, Achane could make for a viable lineup option in his return after he led the NFL in yards per carry (12.1) and rushing yards per game (115) while accounting for seven touchdowns in four games prior to his absence.

Gibson (toe) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Giants.

Gibson didn't practice at all during Week 11 prep and was listed as doubtful, so this doesn't come as a surprise. In his absence, Brian Robinson should handle a larger role than usual, while Chris Rodriguez will likely step up as the primary backup. Derrick Gore was also elevated from the practice squad Saturday and will be available to give Robinson and Rodriguez a break. Following Sunday's contest, Washington will have a quick turnaround to get ready for a Week 12 divisional matchup in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day.

Herbert (ankle/shin) is active for Sunday's game at Detroit.

One day removed from the Bears activating him from IR, Herbert officially is available to the backfield for the first time since Week 5. He'll be working with D'Onta Foreman, who racked up 88 touches during Herbert's five-game absence. Prior to suffering a high-ankle sprain, though, Herbert was utilized heavily in Weeks 4 and 5, turning 32 touches into 198 yards from scrimmage and a receiving TD. There's a decent bet a timeshare between Herbert and Foreman comes to pass to keep both players in the game plan.

Foreman (ankle) is listed as active Sunday at Detroit.

An ankle injury limited Foreman to a trio of capped practices during Week 11 prep, and while he entered the weekend as questionable for Sunday's game, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported Saturday that the running back was slated to suit up. With Khalil Herbert (ankle/shin) also back in action for the first time since Week 5 following an IR stint, the breakdown of the Bears backfield is in flux. Foreman handled 88 touches during Herbert's absence, and the latter averaged 5.3 yards per carry this season before getting injured. A timeshare between the two may be implemented to ensure neither player is too taxed coming off of health concerns.