NFL Player News

Chubb (illness) remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list as of Wednesday, making him uncertain to play in Sunday's game against Detroit, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Chubb still has time to return a pair of negative tests on consecutive days to gain clearance from the list before Sunday, but there's at least some chance of D'Ernest Johnson taking on a huge role again Week 11. In addition to the uncertainty of Chubb's status, Kareem Hunt (calf) has already been ruled out from making a return from injured reserve this weekend. Wednesday marks eight days since Chubb initially was placed on the list following a positive test for the virus.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that Taylor will need to be ready for the No. 2 running back role while Aaron Jones (knee) is unavailable, but the coach also suggested the Packers may look at other options for backup duties behind fill-in starter AJ Dillon, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

With Jones expected to miss only a week or two, LaFleur likely is referring to a potential practice squad promotion to challenge Taylor, rather than bringing in a free agent from outside the organization. The Packers have Ryquell Armstead and Kerrith Whyte on their practice squad, while Taylor has been active as the No. 3 back ever since Kylin Hill suffered an ACL tear Week 8. The No. 3 role wasn't expected to come with any work outside of garbage time, but Taylor took two carries for seven yards after Jones made an early exit from Sunday's 17-0 win over the Seahawks. With that in mind, Taylor is the most likely candidate to handle No. 2 duties Sunday against Minnesota, though it may not come with many touches behind Dillon.

Gibson (shin) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Playing through a shin stress fracture since Week 4, Gibson came out of the team's recent bye and logged his second-high snap share (61 percent) of the season en route to 24 carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns to go with two catches (on two targets) for 14 yards. The efficiency wasn't there, but he outproduced backup running back J.D. McKissic by a wide margin (26 versus six touches). As such, Gibson is the preferred Washington back, even though he'll continue to operate under practice limitations.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that the team wants to see how Edwards-Helaire (knee) performs in practice this week before making a decision on whether to activate the running back from injured reserve prior to Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Though Edwards-Helaire is clearly trending in the right direction, Reid acknowledges that there's a chance the Chiefs could hold the running back out for another game, with the team's upcoming Week 12 bye in mind. If that ends up being the case, Darrel Williams would continue to head Kansas City's backfield Week 11, with Jerick McKinnon and Derrick Gore available for complementary work.

Jefferson (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Jefferson's absence to begin Week 11 prep was expected after he scored his first NFL touchdown and then suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's 16-16 tie with Pittsburgh. While Jefferson likely will miss this weekend's game in Cleveland, the Lions at least got Jamaal Williams (thigh) back on the practice field Wednesday, suggesting that D'Andre Swift's top backup is trending in the right direction after a two-game absence.

Murray (ankle) will practice Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

The running back has missed three straight games with an ankle sprain, but his looming return to practice -- as well as the Ravens' decision to waive Le'Veon Bell on Tuesday -- bodes well for Murray's chances of suiting up Sunday against the Bears. If he's able to return to the lineup Week 11, Murray would likely work in a timeshare with Devonta Freeman, with Ty'Son Williams in reserve.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Patterson (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup with the Patriots, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Patterson sprained his ankle during the first half of Sunday's blowout loss to Dallas and didn't play at all in the second half. While no injury was reported initially, he's now in some danger of missing additional time, potentially opening up a spot for Wayne Gallman to rotate with Mike Davis in the Atlanta backfield. The Falcons might also elect to expand Davis' role rather than getting Gallman heavily involved, but Davis hasn't exactly made the best case to see more work, having averaged just 3.3 yards per carry and 3.5 yards per target this season The Falcons listed Patterson as a limited practice participant both Monday and Tuesday, suggesting he's got a real shot to suit up despite the short week.

The Eagles designated Sanders (ankle) for return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Following a three-week absence due to a low-ankle sprain, Sanders is in line to rejoin the Eagles for practice Wednesday, opening up a 21-day window for the team to either activate him from IR or shut him down for the season. Even though Sanders was averaging just nine carries per game over seven outings as Philadelphia's de facto lead back, the Eagles surprisingly have morphed into a run-first offense in his absence, with quarterback Jalen Hurts and backs Jordan Howard and Boston Scott leading the ground attack. Given how successful that approach has been the past three weeks -- the Eagles rank second in the NFL in scoring and fourth in total yards over that span -- Sanders could find himself as part of a committee rather than the clear No. 1 option out of the backfield, according to Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Before the Eagles outline his role, Sanders will need to prove his health in practice this week to put himself in the mix to play Sunday against the Saints.

Snell recorded one carry for four yards in Sunday's 16-16 tie with the Lions.

Snell played on just six of the Steelers' 87 offensive snaps Sunday. With rookie Najee Harris operating as the team's three-down back, Snell remains far off the fantasy radar. It remains likely that the 23-year-old's only path to consistent production would come if Harris were to be sidelined with an injury. The Steelers will square off against the Chargers in Week 11.

Bolden (hip) practiced in a limited capacity Tuesday.

As was Damien Harris, who got back on the practice field for the first time since he suffered a concussion Week 9 at Carolina. With Harris out this past Sunday versus the Browns, Bolden earned 18 (of 67) offensive snaps on his way to six touches for 70 yards from scrimmage. Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson led the way with 37 plays and 24 touches for 114 total yards and two TDs, and J.J. Taylor brought up the rear with 13 snaps and six rushes for 11 yards. If Harris is able to return Thursday in Atlanta, he likely would take back the No. 1 gig, but Bolden has carved out a consistent role in the Patriots offense, which has equated to six-plus touches in six of the last eight games.