NFL Player News

Ekeler announced on Instagram that he tested positive for COVID-19 again Saturday and won't play Sunday against the Texans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Until Ekeler, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, is able to clear COVID protocols, Justin Jackson is poised to head the Chargers' backfield, with Joshua Kelley a candidate for added touches and Larry Rountree likely to be active in a depth role against Houston.

Conner (heel) is expected to play Saturday night against the Colts, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Though Conner didn't practice this past week, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com previously relayed that the running back was optimistic about suiting up for the contest while noting that his ability to contribute would come down to pain management in terms of his heel. Either way, Conner's Week 16 status will be confirmed when the Cardinals' inactives are posted prior to Saturday's 8:15 ET kickoff. If active, he'd presumably work in a time-share with Chase Edmonds.

McCrary was activated from the Ravens' practice squad COVID-19 list Friday, Cliffton Brown of the Ravens' official site reports.

McCrary went undrafted out of Saginaw Valley State and signed with the Ravens as a free agent after the 2021 NFL Draft. He was elevated for the Ravens' Week 13 contest against the Steelers, but he had no impact on the game. With the Ravens having no shortage of running back options, it'll take some work for McCrary to see the active roster again, but now that he's back to being active on the practice squad, he'll try to make it happen.

Ekeler (illness) acknowledged earlier this week during his weekly appearance on Yahoo Sports' "Ekeler's Edge" fantasy football show that his chances of returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to Sunday's game against the Texans aren't "looking good." "Just dealing with this day to day, you know, we have new protocols in place, I had to get tested every day and have two negative tests, no symptoms," Ekeler said, recounting his experience since testing positive for the virus earlier this week. "And so right now I can tell you, it's not looking good. Just because of the history of COVID and how long it usually takes to dissipate or at least for your body to beat it."

If vaccinated, Ekeler is eligible to play so long as he clears league protocols, but based on his comments on his situation to this point, he's preparing as though he won't be able to go Week 16. In his interview with Yahoo Sports' Liz Loza, Ekeler went as far as recommending that fantasy managers pick up his backup, Justin Jackson, who will likely be primed for a larger workload in the event Ekeler sits. Joshua Kelley also looms as a depth option out of the Los Angeles backfield and should have a role in the game plan if Ekeler sits out for the first time this season. It's worth noting that as of Friday, coach Brandon Staley said everyone on the Chargers' COVID-19 list still has a chance to play Sunday, aside from Joey Bosa and Kemon Hall, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Doaks was restored to the practice squad from the practice squad COVID-19 list Friday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Doaks was on the COVID-19 list for a little over a week before being activated. The rookie out of Cincinnati has yet to see an NFL snap.

Hasty had one carry for three yards while collecting all three targets for 26 yards in Thursday's 20-17 loss to the Titans.

Hasty redeemed himself in a third-down role Thursday after turning in his worst performance of the season last week. Elijah Mitchell (knee/concussion) remained sidelined for the third straight game, so Jeff Wilson and wideout Deebo Samuel combined to handle the rushing duties. Hasty may find himself phased out of the offense if Mitchell is able to return for the 49ers' next contest -- which won't take place until a week from Sunday -- as Wilson is a superior rusher and can also handle receiving duties out of the backfield.

Stevenson (illness) has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Stevenson already had been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noting that Stevenson's placement on the list was the result of a positive test. Stevenson thus will look to clear the league's COVID protocols ahead of Week 17 action, with both Damien Harris (hamstring) and Brandon Bolden (knee) -- who officially are listed as questionable -- poised to head New England's ground game this weekend, assuming they're active for the team's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Jones is expected to serve as Tampa Bay's starting running back for the final three games of the regular season after the Buccaneers placed Leonard Fournette (hamstring) on injured reserve Thursday, Zach Kruse of USA Today reports.

Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Le'Veon Bell and practice-squad member Kenjon Barner could also push for reps down the stretch, particularly on passing downs, but Jones should be locked in as Tampa Bay's lead option on the ground sans Fournette. Though ball-security issues and mental mistakes have been consistent themes in Jones' career, the 24-year-old has been a productive ball carrier, averaging 4.5 yards per tote over 458 rushing attempts. He'll likely continue to pick up solid chunks of yardage while running behind three Pro Bowl linemen, and Tom Brady's proclivity for checking down to running backs could allow Jones to collect at least a few targets per game even if he's subbed out on more obvious passing downs.

Washington was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, per the team's official site.

Washington joins a growing list of Saints players on the COVID-19 list ahead of Monday's matchup against Miami. If there's any good news for New Orleans, it's that none of the four running backs listed ahead of Washington on the depth chart is currently slated to miss the contest. As such, the impact of his potential absence would primarily be felt on special teams.

Bolden (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills after practicing in a limited fashion this past week.

Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) has been ruled out by the team, while Damien Harris (hamstring) also is listed as questionable. As long as both are available this weekend, we'd expect Harris to handle the bulk of the Patriots' early-down work and Bolden to work in a change-of-pace role, with J.J. Taylor in reserve. Fortunately for those inclined to consider Bolden in Week 16 fantasy PPR lineups, New England kicks off against Buffalo at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.