NFL Player News

Wilson is set to lead the 49ers backfield again with Elijah Mitchell (knee/concussion) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wilson was disappointing from a fantasy standpoint last week in his second start of the year, finishing without a target and unable to score his first touchdown of the season in a win over the Bengals. He did, however, lead the team with 13 carries, and his 59 percent snap share wasn't too far south of what Mitchell has seen this year (66.1 percent in nine games). The 49ers still have JaMycal Hasty and Kyle Juszczyk for passing downs and wideout Deebo Samuel as a big-play/red-zone threat on the ground, but Wilson is again a strong favorite to lead the team in carries. Furthermore, head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged Friday that he isn't especially optimistic about Mitchell's chances of returning for a Thursday game against the Titans in Week 16, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Brian Flores was non-committal about playing Gaskin and fellow running back Salvon Ahmed in Sunday's game against the Jets, though neither is listed on the injury report after returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Gaskin was on the list for seven days, missing part of Miami's bye and the first two practices this week. He should be able to play Sunday, but it's possible his workload is scaled back, especially if Malcolm Brown (quad) suits up after being designated to return from IR earlier this week. The Dolphins also have Duke Johnson as a backfield option, while Phillip Lindsay (illness) appears likely to miss Sunday's game as he's on the COVID-19 list.

Johnson and the Browns will no longer play the Raiders on Saturday, after the NFL officially rescheduled the matchup between the two teams for Monday at 5 p.m. ET.

Due to ongoing COVID-19-related issues within the Cleveland organization, the NFL is hopeful that by delaying the game two days, the Browns will restore enough players from the reserve/COVID-19 list to alleviate depth concerns on the roster. Since Kareem Hunt isn't in line to play Week 15 after failing to practice this week due to an ankle injury before being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Johnson has a clear path to the No. 2 role out of the backfield behind starter Nick Chubb.

Chubb and the Browns will no longer play the Raiders on Saturday, after the NFL officially rescheduled the matchup between the two teams for Monday at 5 p.m. ET.

Due to ongoing COVID-19-related issues within the Cleveland organization, the NFL is hopeful that by delaying the game two days, the Browns will restore enough players from the reserve/COVID-19 list to alleviate depth concerns on the roster. With Kareem Hunt having landed on the list and also dealing with an ankle injury, Chubb could take on more passing-down work in addition to his normal duties as Cleveland's lead option on the ground.

Pollard (foot) was a limited practice participant Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Pollard missed practice all of last week and again this Wednesday before returning for limited sessions Thursday and Friday. He said Friday that he anticipates being a game-time decision ahead of the 1:00 ET kickoff Sunday, with his painful plantar fascia tear feeling better in recent days. If Pollard can't go, Corey Clement will step up as the No. 2 back behind Ezekiel Elliott again.

Montgomery (illness) was a full participant in Friday's practice.

Montgomery was one of eight Bears who didn't take part in Thursday's walk-through session on account of an illness. All but one of those players returned to the field Friday as full participants, temporarily alleviating some concern about a team-wide COVID-19 breakout. With that in mind, Montgomery looks poised to handle his usual three-down role Monday against the Vikings.

The 49ers have ruled Mitchell (concussion/knee) out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Mitchell is expected to be removed from the concussion protocol later Friday, but the swelling the running back continues to deal with in his knee is considered serious enough to keep him out for a second straight game. Per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, Shanahan admitted that he's hopeful, though "not optimistic" that Mitchell will be ready to go for Week 16, when the 49ers will be facing a quick turnaround for a Thursday night game in Tennessee. Jeff Wilson is expected to carry the load at running back for San Francisco for at least one more game, with receiver Deebo Samuel likely mixing in for reps out of the backfield as well.

Sanders (ankle) was a full practice participant Friday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The same goes for Jordan Howard (knee), with coach Nick Sirianni confirming Friday that both running backs will play in the Week 15 contest against Washington on Tuesday. It's a friendly enough matchup for multiple backs to be productive, though guarantees are few and far between with Howard and Boston Scott likely mixing in behind Sanders, who ran for a season-high 120 yards last week while sharing the backfield with rookie Kenneth Gainwell (rather than Scott/Howard).

Gibson and Washington will no longer play the Eagles on Sunday, after the NFL officially rescheduled the matchup between the two teams for Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.

Due to ongoing COVID-19-related issues within Washington's organization, the NFL is hopeful that by delaying the game two days, the Football Team will restore enough players from the reserve/COVID-19 list to alleviate depth concerns on the roster. Assuming the game is held Tuesday as expected, Gibson could be on track to fill a three-down workhorse role out of the Washington backfield, as pass-catching specialist J.D. McKissic hadn't resumed practicing as of Thursday and may not be on track to clear the five-step concussion protocol.

Gordon (thumb/hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals after practicing in a limited fashion this past week, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Fellow running back Javonte Williams (knee) is also listed as questionable for the contest but should be fine, per coach Vic Fangio. Given that Gordon practiced all week, we suspect he'll be a go Sunday as well, but it will still be worth verifying the duo's status leading up to Sunday's 4:05 ET kickoff. Assuming both backs are active, they'll continue to work in a backfield time-share in Week 15.