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Damien Harris RB | BUF
Patriots' Damien Harris: Another limited practice session
Harris (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday.
Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) missed his second straight practice, while Brandon Bolden (knee) again was limited. Friday's final injury report will reveal whether any of the trio head into the weekend either ruled out or fully cleared to play, but it wouldn't surprise us to see all three players officially listed as 'questionable' for Sunday's game against the Bills.
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James Conner RB | ARI
Cardinals' James Conner: Believes he'll play Saturday
Conner (heel) relayed Thursday that he believes he'll suit up Saturday versus the Colts, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
After failing to practice in any capacity this week, Conner still received the questionable tag from the Cardinals. The decision lines up with coach Kliff Kingsbury terming Conner a game-time decision ahead of Saturday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, according to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. Conner himself noted that his ankle injury from last week isn't an issue anymore, so his availability this weekend will come down to pain management with his heel. If Conner is out or limited Saturday, Chase Edmonds stands to benefit the most out of Arizona's backfield.
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Javonte Williams RB | DAL
Broncos' Javonte Williams: Another limited session
Williams (knee) remained limited at practice Thursday, George Stoia III of The Denver Gazette reports.
Meanwhile, Melvin Gordon (thumb/hip) also was limited Thursday. At this stage, we expect both players to be available for Sunday's game against the Raiders, but unless they practice fully Friday, official 'questionable' Week 16 injury designations could be in store for the duo for the second straight week.
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Dalvin Cook RB | DAL
Vikings' Dalvin Cook: Tests positive for COVID-19
The Vikings placed Cook (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list due to a positive test for the virus, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Cook thus will embark on a 10-day quarantine as an unvaccinated player and won't be available for Sunday's pivotal matchup with the Rams and potentially even a Jan. 2 divisional game at Green Bay. As long as Cook is sidelined, Alexander Mattison will be the Vikings' lead running back, which translated to 89 touches for 448 yards from scrimmage and two total TDs in three prior spot starts this season.
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Melvin Gordon RB | BAL
Broncos' Melvin Gordon: Back at practice
Gordon (thumb/hip) returned to a limited practice Thursday, George Stoia III of The Denver Gazette reports.
Gordon sat out Wednesday's practice, but his return to a limited session suggests that his initial absence was maintenance-related. Meanwhile, fellow running back Javonte Williams (knee) has logged back-to-back LPs, and though there's nothing to suggest that one or both players are in any danger of missing Sunday's game against the Raiders, it will presumably take a full practice Friday on the part of either one to avoid a Week 16 injury designation.
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Josh Jacobs RB | GB
Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Logs full practice listing
Jacobs (illness) was listed as a full participant in Thursday's walkthrough, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.
Jacobs sat out Wednesday's session, but the running back's full participation listing Thursday sets the stage for him to continue to head the Raiders backfield Sunday against the Broncos. In the team's 16-14 win over the Browns this past Monday, Jacobs logged 45 of a possible 69 snaps on offense en route to carrying 15 times for 52 yards and catching three of his four targets for 42 yards. As his team's clear-cut top RB option, Jacobs maintains reliable enough volume to profile as a solid fantasy option Week 16.
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Miles Sanders RB | DAL
Eagles' Miles Sanders: No activity Thursday
Sanders (quadriceps) was a non-participant at Thursday's walkthrough.
Because the Eagles played Tuesday against Washington, the team is easing into Week 16 prep, not holding a session at all Wednesday before getting in some on-field work Thursday. Even so, Sanders wouldn't have practiced either day, placing his availability for Sunday's game versus the Giants in question. Sanders has taken on a massive workload the past two contests -- 47 touches for 288 yards from scrimmage -- so Philadelphia may be managing his health with game day in mind. Still, his status should continue to be watched to get a sense of his availability this weekend. Jordan Howard (knee) likely would be in line for a significant workload if Sanders is unable to go Sunday.
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D'Andre Swift RB | CHI
Lions' D'Andre Swift: Limited again in practice
Swift (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
Swift wasn't able to increase his activity from Wednesday, but the fact that he was on the practice field in some capacity for the second day in a row is a positive sign following three weeks of no participation at all. Because of Swift's long layoff, the Lions may want to see him turn in a full practice before clearing him for game action, leaving his availability for Sunday's game in Atlanta up in the air at the moment. Whenever he's deemed ready to play, Swift could take on a lighter workload than he previously enjoyed as the 2-11-1 Lions look to preserve him with little on the line over the final three games of the season.
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James Conner RB | ARI
Cardinals' James Conner: Status in question for Saturday
Conner (heel) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest against the Colts, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Conner didn't practice at all this week due to a heel injury that has him trending toward being a game-time decision for Saturday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, coach Kliff Kingsbury told Urban earlier Thursday. If Conner is able to suit up, he may yield a majority share of the backfield to Chase Edmonds, especially with his long-term health in mind.
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Aaron Jones RB | MIN
Packers' Aaron Jones: Clear for Saturday
Jones (knee) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's game versus the Browns, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
The Packers managed Jones' preexisting knee issue this week, listing him as limited on all three practice reports. Still, the issue won't stop the fifth-year back from taking the field Saturday against a Cleveland defense that has allowed 114 yards from scrimmage per game and 13 touchdowns to running backs in 14 contests this season. Of course, Jones will yield reps to backup AJ Dillon, potentially capping the value of both players.