NFL Player News

Akers (Achilles) is in line to make his season debut Sunday against the 49ers, though he's expected to handle only a limited role, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Rams activated Akers from injured reserve Dec. 25, but he's been inactive for both of the past two contests after being listed as questionable in advance of both games. After another week of full practices, however, Akers entered the regular-season finale without a designation, putting him on track to make his season debut following his recovery from the torn Achilles' tendon he suffered in mid-July. Though Akers finished his rookie campaign as the Rams' lead back, he's expected to be eased back into the mix as the top change-of-pace option behind Sony Michel, who is averaging 4.6 yards per carry since stepping into the top role Week 13. Akers' opportunities are expected to increase during the Rams' upcoming playoff run, though if Michel continues to shine as a ballcarrier, Akers may end up seeing most of his snaps on passing downs.

Gainwell rushed 12 times for 78 yards and a touchdown and caught four of seven targets for nine yards in Saturday's 51-26 loss to the Cowboys.

Gainwell was effective while starting at tailback, gaining 63 of his yards on the ground in the first half. That total included Gainwell's seven-yard touchdown run during the second quarter, giving him six touchdowns on his rookie campaign. Although Gainwell was heavily involved Saturday, it'll be interesting to see how the Eagles split their backfield snaps in next weekend's playoff game, when fellow running backs Boston Scott and Jordan Howard could potentially return from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Usual starter Miles Sanders' (hand) status worth monitoring as well.

Elliott rushed 18 times for 87 yards and caught one of three targets for three yards in Saturday's 51-26 win over the Eagles.

Elliott garnered his most carries since Week 5, as running mate Tony Pollard was unavailable due to a foot injury. With his increased workload, Elliott also racked up his most rushing yardage since Week 5, with Saturday actually being the first time he's topped 70 yards on the ground since then as well. Although he didn't find the end zone in Dallas' blowout win and wasn't very involved in the passing game, Elliott's performance still saw him surpass 1,000 rushing yards on the campaign, sending him into the playoffs fresh off a notable personal accomplishment.

Gore recorded seven carries for 30 yards in Saturday's 28-24 win over Denver.

Gore tied for the team lead with seven carries after Darrel Williams (toe) was forced out of the game early. In Williams' absence, Gore took over as the lead back on the ground, though his longest rush of the day went for only six yards. Meanwhile, Jerick McKinnon served as the change-of-pace back, tallying five carries and three receptions while also working more efficiently than Gore. Should Williams and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) be sidelined for any part of Kansas City's playoff run, Gore would likely continue to get the majority of the work on the ground with McKinnon serving as the pass catcher out of the backfield.

Williams rushed 12 times for 46 yards and brought in both targets for 18 yards in the Broncos' 28-24 loss to the Chiefs on Saturday.

Given how well and evenly Williams and Melvin Gordon worked in tandem this season, it was fitting the two split carries right down the middle for the Broncos' final contest. The rookie bounced back well from a pair of atypically inefficient outings Week 16 and 17 where he'd gained just 42 yards on 21 carries, and Saturday's production put him just over the 900-yard mark (903) to close out his first NFL season. The UNC product also generated an impressive 43-316-3 line through the air, and with Gordon slated for unrestricted free agency come the new league year, Williams could well be set to enter training camp as the clear lead back this coming summer.

Armah was elevated from Washington's practice squad Saturday.

Armah has appeared in 10 games this season, but just one with Washington. Starting the season with the Saints, Armah was waived Nov. 30 and signed to Washington's practice squad Dec. 2. Armah will likely provide depth in the backfield and work on special teams Sunday against the Giants.

Gordon rushed 12 times for 110 yards and a touchdown, brought in one of two targets for six yards and lost a fumble in the Broncos' 28-24 loss to the Chiefs on Saturday.

Gordon impressively played through his nagging hip and thumb issues and generated his second-highest rushing yardage total of the campaign. The veteran's production was significantly boosted by an impressive 47-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, his eighth score on the ground in 2021. Gordon's Week 18 production left him 68 yards short of the 986 he compiled during his first Broncos season in 2020 over a 15-game span, but as he demonstrated Saturday, he still seems to have plenty left in the tank in terms of serving in a complementary role. Whether that unfolds next season in Denver in conjunction with Javonte Williams remains to be seen, however, as the latter arguably made a convincing case for full-time lead-back duties during his rookie campaign and Gordon is slated to become an unrestricted free agent come the new league year.

Williams was forced out of Saturday's game against the Broncos with a toe injury.

Prior to his exit from the contest, Williams logged seven carries for 17 yards and caught three of his four targets for 30 yards. Next up for Kansas City's backfield touches in his absence are Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) inactive Week 18.

Mixon remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.

Mixon, who landed on the list Wednesday, wasn't activated by the Bengals ahead of Week 18 action, so until he clears the NFL's COVID protocols, look for Samaje Perine to head the team's backfield, with Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams in the mix to see complementary work.

Gainwell is in line for an increased workload Saturday night against the Cowboys, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia, with Miles Sanders (hand) out and Boston Scott (illness) and Jordan Howard (illness) still on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Also in the team's backfield mix versus Dallas will be Jason Huntley, who is up from the practice squad to work in tandem with Gainwell on Saturday. In a game where multiple key Philadelphia players figure to be sidelined or limited, Gainwell has a chance to earn enough Week 18 volume to merit fantasy lineup (or DFS) consideration for those scrambling for a running back option.