NFL Player News

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.

Elliott may have a smaller workload than normal Saturday at Philadelphia, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

With Tony Pollard (foot) not traveling with the Cowboys for this Week 18 NFC East matchup, Elliott was the name running back to make the trip. However, the team elevated JaQuan Hardy and Ito Smith from the practice squad Saturday, indicating Elliott may take a step back or not have a role at all in the regular-season finale. If the preceding comes to pass, Corey Clement could lead Dallas' backfield, with Hardy and Smith available for any reps that linger.

Scott (illness) remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Saturday's game against the Cowboys, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

The same goes for Jordan Howard (illness), and with Miles Sanders sidelined by a hand injury, Kenneth Gainwell figures to head the Eagles' Week 18 rushing attack, while Jason Huntley also is on hand to mix in. Scott thus will look clear the NFL's COVID-19 protocols in advance of the team's postseason opener next weekend.

Huntley was elevated to the active roster Saturday.

Huntley is one of just two active running backs available for the Eagles on Saturday with Boston Scott and Jordan Howard both not activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Expect Kenneth Gainwell to be the featured back with Huntley mixing in particularly in passing situations. The 2020 fifth-round pick has not made an appearance with the Eagles this season but did see action with the team in five games last year.

Barner was elevated to the Buccaneers' active roster Saturday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

The running back was with the active roster each of the last two weeks, operating exclusively as a special-teams option while registering 47 punt return yards. With Ronald Jones (ankle) out Sunday against the Panthers, Barner may get his first look as a backfield option while the Buccaneers wrap up the regular season and gear up for a playoff run.

Wilkins was elevated from the Titans' practice squad Saturday.

The Titans opted not to activate Derrick Henry (foot) off injured reserve, which set the stage for Wilkins to make his first appearance with another AFC South squad. Don't expect the lumbering Wilkins to see a significant amount of carries unless the Titans see a sizable lead Sunday in the quest to lock up the No. 1 seed.

McNichols was waived by the Titans on Saturday.

The Titans opted to elevate Jordan Wilkins from the practice squad, signaling the end of McNichols' tenure with the franchise. The fifth-year running back had a relatively critical role earlier in the season after Derrick Henry's season-ending foot injury, which ultimately allowed the scatback to set career highs in both receptions and receiving yards. The emergence of Dontrell Hilliard relegated McNichols to an offensive afterthought recently as the 26-year-old tallied just nine carries and zero receptions over the last two weeks.

Henry (foot) remains on IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

With Henry -- who last suited up in Week 8 -- not moved to the active roster Saturday, the star running back will target a potential return to the lineup in the Titans' postseason opener. In his continued absence, D'Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard will head the team's rushing attack in Week 18, with Jordan Wilkins on hand in reserve.

Cleveland activated Johnson (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.

Johnson will be available for Sunday's season finale against the Bengals, though he may not be in store for a major role since lead back Nick Chubb carries no injury designation after being limited in practice all week due to rib and chest injuries. Meanwhile, No. 2 back Kareem Hunt is listed as questionable with the ankle injury that has sidelined him since Week 14. Expect more clarification on Johnson's role once Cleveland releases its inactive list prior to the team's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell will be the Buccaneers' main running backs Sunday against the Panthers with Ronald Jones (ankle) ruled out and Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) still on injured reserve, Joey Knight and Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times report.

After Fournette hit IR following a Week 15 loss to the Saints due to a hamstring strain, Jones stepped in as the No. 1 RB the past two contests, but he sustained an ankle injury this past Sunday at the Jets. As a result, Vaughn has earned the bulk of his touches on the season over the last three games, racking up 18 carries for 120 yards, two catches (on six targets) for 14 yards and one rushing TD. Bell also mixed in Weeks 16 and 17, with eight touches for 34 yards from scrimmage. The likely outcome is Vaughn serving as the early down option for the Bucs, with Bell and potentially practice squad member Kenjon Barner serving as complementary pieces.