NFL Player News

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) didn't practice again Friday, but head coach Andy Reid isn't ruling the running back out from playing in Sunday's game against the Bengals, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Reid noted that since Edwards-Helaire knows the playbook, it's possible he could suit up despite not practicing this week. If, however, Edwards-Helaire is unable to go this weekend, Kansas City could activate Jerick McKinnon (hamstring) from injured reserve to bolster a backfield that also includes Darrel Williams and Derrick Gore.

Barkley (ankle) has no injury designation for Sunday's game in Chicago.

As expected, with Barkley (and the Giants) suggesting this week that he won't be shut down if he's healthy enough to play. There's little question the team will try to get the ball to its running backs while working with backup QBs and an injury-ravaged wideout group, but that's basically been the plan for weeks now and it hasn't led to much production for either Barkley or Devontae Booker, with both seeing double-digit touches in four straight games. During that stretch, Barkley has averaged 14.3 carries and 5.3 targets per game, but with a yield of only 67.8 total yards and 0.25 TDs.

Williams is poised for a larger role this week with fellow Washington running back Antonio Gibson landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list two days before Sunday's game against the Eagles, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

ESPN's John Keim suggests rookie RB Jaret Patterson will start in the likely event Gibson is out, but Williams and practice-squad player Wendell Smallwood could also have roles, potentially including snaps on passing downs. Williams has played in three games (Weeks 14-16) this season, taking eight carries for 30 yards and a touchdown while catching two of three targets for 21 yards. During that same stretch (the past three weeks), Patterson carried 17 times for 81 yards and a score but was targeted just once.

Patterson is expected to pick up his first career start Sunday against the Eagles after lead back Antonio Gibson (hip) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday upon testing positive for the virus, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Gibson's status for Week 17 was already murky after he downgraded from limited participation in practice Wednesday to no activity Thursday on account of the hip issue, and his placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list makes it even more likely that he'll miss his first game. Since Gibson is vaccinated, he'll theoretically have a chance to test out of the NFL's COVID-19 protocol before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but that should be viewed as a long shot. Gibson's expected absences leaves Patterson as the next man up out of the Washington backfield on the heels of his nine-carry, 33-yard outing in last week's 56-14 loss to the Cowboys. The blowout nature of the contest likely played a factor in Patterson taking on a greater role in the game plan in the second half, but even if Washington is able to keep things more competitive this week, the undrafted rookie out of Buffalo should have a good chance of getting double-digit touches. Jonathan Williams is also expected to pick up some work on the ground and may steal snaps from Patterson on passing downs, as could Wendell Smallwood, who the Football Team is likely to promote from its practice squad.

Washington placed Gibson (hip) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

According to John Keim of ESPN.com, Gibson is vaccinated, which means he was placed on the list as a result of testing positive. He'll theoretically have a chance to play Sunday against the Eagles if he can test out of the protocol in rapid fashion, though the timing of his placement on the list makes that highly unlikely. With that in mind, Jaret Patterson could be in line to serve as Washington's lead option on the ground Week 17, with Jonathan Williams also factoring into the backfield mix.

The Colts activated Mack (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

Mack landed on the list Monday but was able to clear the NFL's return-to-play protocols in timely fashion. The 25-year-old has been a healthy scratch since Week 8, and he's unlikely to see the field Sunday against the Raiders if the rest of the Indianapolis backfield remains in good health.

Bolden (knee) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Lead back Damien Harris (hamstring) was also limited for the second straight practice, but at this stage, neither he nor Bolden look to be in danger of sitting out Sunday against the Jaguars while they manage their respective lingering injuries. Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, but he'll represent more of a threat to poach carries from Harris rather than challenging for Bolden's snaps on passing downs.

New England listed Harris (hamstring) as a limited participant in practice Thursday.

Harris wasn't able to take a step forward in terms of practice activity after he was also limited Wednesday, but the fact that he was on the field for two straight days in any capacity is a good sign for his chances of playing Sunday against the Jaguars. The release of Friday's injury report will reveal whether Harris carries a designation into the Week 17 matchup.

Etienne (foot) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday and moved to injured reserve.

Etienne was transferred to the COVID list last week but is now back on injured reserve after clearing the health and safety protocols. The rookie first-round pick never saw the field the season after undergoing foot surgery in August. Dare Ogunbowale is set to finish the campaign as Jacksonville's top running back with James Robinson also lost to a torn Achilles.

Gordon (thumb/hip) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's estimated practice.

Denver didn't actually hold a workout Thursday after the team elected to cancel the session out of an abundance of caution due to increasing COVID-19-related concerns within the organization. Like backfield mate Javonte Williams (knee), Gordon went down as a limited participant on the official report for the second straight day, but clarity on the status of either player likely won't arrive until Denver reconvenes for practice Friday.