NFL Player News

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid didn't commit to Edwards-Helaire (knee) making his return from injured reserve for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, but he suggested the running back was trending toward being available for the contest, Charles Goldman of USA Today reports. "Yeah, I'll get with [Chiefs athletic trainer Rick Burkholder] here and just make sure that everything is OK," Reid said Friday. "We'll go from there, but [Edwards-Helaire] had a good week of practice."

Edwards-Helaire was practicing with the team for the second straight week, after the Chiefs initially designated him for return from IR on Nov. 10. The second-year back looks to be making good progress in his recovery from an MCL sprain of his left knee, but he won't be an option to play Sunday until the Chiefs activate him from IR prior to Saturday's 4 p.m. ET deadline for Week 11 roster moves. Though Edwards-Helaire served as Kansas City's lead back before suffering the knee injury Week 5, he could find himself as part of a timeshare at the position with Darrel Williams upon rejoining the 53-man roster.

Benjamin (groin) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Benjamin received the green light for the weekend after he turned in a full practice Friday following limited showings Wednesday and Thursday, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. He'll serve as the No. 2 option out of the backfield behind James Conner, who is set to make his second straight start with Chase Edmonds (ankle) on injured reserve.

Jacobs (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bengals after practicing in a limited fashion this past week.

Jacobs, who rushed seven times for 16 yards and caught all five targets for 20 more yards in this past Sunday's 41-14 loss to the Chiefs, is thus in line to head the Raiders' Week 11 backfield, with Kenyan Drake on hand to work in a complementary role and Jalen Richard a candidate to handle some change-of-pace snaps if he's able to play through a rib injury that has him listed as questionable. To date, Jacobs has averaged 42.3 rushing yards and 21.3 receiving yards while tallying five TDs through seven games, numbers that put him on the fantasy lineup radar in most formats.

Sermon will likely serve as the 49ers' top backup running back behind Jeff Wilson in Sunday's game against the Jaguars with Elijah Mitchell (finger) listed as doubtful and JaMycal Hasty (ankle) ruled out for the contest, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Mitchell wasn't able to practice in any capacity this week after undergoing surgery Tuesday to address a fractured finger on his right hand, so his expected absence should clear the way for Wilson to start and serve as San Francisco's lead back. Though Sermon, a rookie third-round pick, was expected to challenge for that role this season, he hasn't been able to gain much traction in the running attack even after Raheem Mostert (knee) suffered a season-ending injury Week 1. Sermon hasn't played an offensive snap since Week 5, but the depleted state of the San Francisco backfield should be enough for him to step in as the No. 2 option this week, as the only other back on the roster (Trenton Cannon) has been treated almost exclusively as a special-teams player. Since Sermon hasn't shown much aptitude as a receiver either, Shahanan might not be inclined to rely on the rookie for the passing-down role that belonged to Hasty. Instead, the 49ers could lean on Wilson as a three-down workhorse, with Sermon subbing in mainly on early downs when the starter requires a breather.

Wilson is expected to step in as the 49ers' lead back Sunday against the Jaguars with Elijah Mitchell (finger) listed as doubtful for the game, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Mitchell has played more than half of the 49ers' offensive snaps and handled double-digit touches in all seven of his appearances this season, but Wilson looks to be the next man up for work out of the backfield with Mitchell likely to need a week off to recover from surgery to repair a broken finger. In addition, pass-catching specialist JaMycal Hasty (ankle) has been ruled out for the contest, which could clear the way for Wilson to handle a three-down role this weekend. Head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't entrusted the remaining two healthy backs on the roster, Trey Sermon and Trenton Cannon, with roles on offense since Week 5, with both backs either being healthy inactives or contributors only on special teams in each of the past four contests. At least for this week, Wilson looks like a worthy starter in just about every fantasy league.

Jones (ankle) appears on track to be activated from injured reserve before Sunday's game in Philadelphia, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Jones returned to practice Wednesday after a month-and-a-half absence, and he may now step right back in as the No. 2 running back, this time behind Mark Ingram instead of Alvin Kamara (knee). With both Kamara and slot receiver/scatback Ty Montgomery (finger) ruled out, the Saints are left with Ingram and special teamer Dwayne Washington as the backfield options apart from Jones. Last week, Ingram took on 18 touches and played 85 percent of the snaps in a loss to Tennessee, though Montgomery earned a handful of plays in the backfield before exiting late in the first quarter with a finger injury.

Jefferson (ankle/knee) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Browns, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

For the first time this season, Jefferson will miss a game due to injury after he hurt his left ankle and also dinged his knee in last week's 16-16 tie with the Steelers. Though he typically serves as the Lions' No. 3 back when the team is at full strength, Jefferson's absence could loom larger this week if Jamaal Williams (thigh) -- who is listed as questionable -- ends up missing a third straight game. If Williams joins Jefferson on the inactive list, Godwin Igwebuike would serve as starter D'Andre Swift's top backup.

Kamara (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Philadelphia.

Kamara returned to practice Wednesday in limited fashion but then was held out Thursday and Friday. Mark Ingram is expected to lead the New Orleans backfield for a second straight game sans Kamara, though he could have more competition for snaps if Tony Jones (ankle) is activated from injured reserve after returning to practice Wednesday. Last week, Ingram took 18 touches for 108 yards and a score while playing 85 percent of the snaps, while Ty Montgomery left with a finger injury after taking a handful of backfield snaps in the first quarter. Montgomery is out this week, along with Kamara, leaving Ingram, special teamer Dwayne Washington and possibly Jones as the Saints' backfield options.

Williams (thigh) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Williams has been sidelined for Detroit's last two games, but he appears to have a better shot at playing this week compared to the previous two contests after practicing on a limited basis Wednesday through Friday. If the Lions determine that Williams will need another week off, Godwin Igwebuike would be in line to serve as starter D'Andre Swift's clear top backup. The other running back on the Lions' 53-man roster, Jermar Jefferson (knee/ankle), has already been ruled out for the game.

Murray (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears after practicing in a limited fashion this past week.

Murray, who has been sidelined since Week 6, thus has a chance to rejoin the Ravens' backfield this weekend, and if he does, he'd be in line to re-enter the mix in a time-share with Devonta Freeman, with Ty'Son Williams on hand in reserve. It's a context that would make Murray a speculative Week 11 fantasy lineup option, especially with QB Lamar Jackson being such a key cog in Baltimore's rushing attack.