NFL Player News

Coach Mike Zimmer said Monday that he hopes Cook (illness) clears league protocols and is activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game at Green Bay, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Cook tested positive for the virus last Thursday, and as an unvaccinated player he immediately entered into a 10-day quarantine. He missed a Week 16 loss to the Rams as a result, but if he follows the precedent set by backfield mate Alexander Mattison, who spent Dec. 13-22 on the COVID-19 list as an unvaccinated player, Cook should return to the active roster Saturday. Assuming he does so, Cook would face a Packers defense Sunday that allowed him to go for 115 yards from scrimmage and one TD on 25 touches back in Week 11.

Murray had five carries for 12 yards and caught one pass for 12 yards Sunday against the Bengals.

Murray's snap count dipped below 20 for the third time in four games, and his effectiveness dropped back down as well, as he averaged 2.4 yards per carry. Murray has seen five-or-fewer carries in three of his last four games and has broken the 20-yard mark just once in that stretch. The Ravens host the Rams in Week 17.

Kamara rushed 13 times for 52 yards while catching two of four targets for seven yards during Monday's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins.

Despite the seemingly favorable matchup with Miami, Kamara was not set up to succeed considering he was working with a fourth-string rookie quarterback behind a patchwork offensive line. However, it was still confusing that the Saints didn't feed him the ball more often given the massive struggles Ian Book had throwing the ball. In any case, the entire offense should find easier sledding in Week 17 against Carolina if either or Taysom Hill (COVID-19) or Trevor Siemian (COVID-19) is able to gain medical clearance in time.

Gaskin rushed three times for 10 yards and caught one of three targets for six yards in Monday night's 20-3 win over the Saints.

Gaskin saw his workload decrease for a second straight week, as last game's breakout saw Duke Johnson earn a large role alongside Phillip Lindsay, who returned from injury to play for the first time since Week 12. Although Johnson and Lindsay tied for Miami's team lead with 13 carries apiece, neither tailback topped 40 yards. As a result, it'll be interesting to see how the Dolphins divide their backfield snaps in Week 17 versus the Titans, but considering his dip in usage the past couple games, Gaskin may have to earn back his starter's share while being subjected to a committee approach.

Abdullah rushed twice for one yard and caught three of six targets for eight yards in Sunday's 32-6 loss to the Buccaneers.

Abdullah played a third of Carolina's offensive snaps but couldn't get anything going against a stringy Tampa Bay defense. In fact, the tailback's biggest impact came on special teams, where he returned three kickoffs for 76 yards. Although another tough matchup awaits Week 17 versus the Saints, the flow of that contest could present a few opportunities for Abdullah to make an impact as a pass catcher.

Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Akers (Achilles) has a chance to return to action Sunday in Baltimore, J.B. Long of the Los Angeles Rams Radio Network reports.

The Rams sustained yet another hit to their backfield Sunday in Minnesota, where Darrell Henderson went down with a knee injury and was unable to return. McVay relayed Henderson suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee and is poised for a stint on injured reserve, which may have precipitated his ensuing comments about Akers. The second-year running back has made an unprecedented recovery from the torn Achilles he sustained just before training camp back in July, as evidenced by L.A. activating him from the reserve/non-football injury list Saturday. Akers was held out of Week 15 action, but his activity in practice this week could set him up for his season debut Sunday. With all of Henderson, Xavier Jones (Achilles) and Raymond Calais (foot) on IR, Sony Michel, Jake Funk and Buddy Howell are the healthy RBs on the team's active roster.

Ahmed is inactive for Monday night's game against the Saints.

With Ahmed inactive, the Dolphins' Week 16 running back corps will be comprised of Duke Johnson, Myles Gaskin, Phillip Lindsay and Jordan Scarlett.

Ekeler has been activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list, per the NFL's official transaction report.

With Ekeler back in the mix and in line to reclaim his starting running back duties, look for Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley to revert to their usual complementary roles when the Chargers face the Broncos on Sunday.

Washington wasn't activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to the Saints' deadline for Week 16 roster moves and won't be available for Monday's game against the Dolphins, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Though he's listed as a running back, Washington makes his biggest for the Saints as a core member of their special-teams units, so his absence won't mean much from a fantasy standpoint. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday and should have decent odds of getting cleared for the Saints' Week 17 game against the Panthers.

Clement carried the ball four times for 18 yards in Sunday's 56-14 win over Washington.

Clement played on just seven of the Cowboys' 73 offensive snaps in the contest. The veteran's biggest play, however, came on specials teams when he blocked a punt that was recovered for a Dallas touchdown. Corey Clement should continue to operate as the team's No. 3 back behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard going forward, limiting his ability to produce for fantasy purposes.