NFL Player News

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) isn't expected to play Sunday against the Browns, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Edwards-Helaire sat out the final two games of the regular season due to a sprained left ankle and a strained left hip, and even with a bye week, the rookie first-rounder isn't slated to suit up in the Chiefs' playoff opener. With Edwards-Helaire likely on the sideline Sunday, Kansas City will turn to Le'Veon Bell to lead the backfield, with Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson in reserve.

Jones (quadriceps), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional-round game in New Orleans, is being treated as a game-day decision, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jones was active for last weekend's win over Washington in the wild-card round, but he didn't play any snaps in the contest after tweaking his quad in pregame warmups. Expect reporters on the scene in New Orleans to keep a closer eye on Jones during warmups ahead of Sunday's 6:40 p.m. ET kickoff to get a better sense of his availability, but at this stage, Rapoport relays that the running back has a "good shot" to play. Though listed as questionable, Jones seemingly improved his odds of gaining clearance by taking part in a walk-through session Saturday. He'll go through another workout Sunday before the Buccaneers likely decide on his status, with an update on Jones expected to arrive no later than 5:10 p.m. ET, when the team releases its inactive list.

Murray (quadriceps), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Buccaneers, isn't expected to play, Ian Rapoport and Jane Slater of NFL Network report.

While managing the quad injury, Murray sat out practices Wednesday and Thursday before returning to work Friday on a limited basis. That level of activity was enough for Murray to take a questionable designation into the weekend, but unless he demonstrates more improvement in a pregame workout, the 30-year-old looks at risk of being ruled out ahead of Sunday's 6:40 p.m. ET kickoff. If Murray is active, both Dwayne Washington and Ty Montgomery would likely dress as reserve options in the backfield, but neither can be counted on to have a sizable role on offense behind lead option Alvin Kamara.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) remains questionable for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Browns, but sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that the running back is facing "an uphill battle to play."

After missing the Chiefs' final two regular-season contests while battling a left ankle sprain and a left hip strain, Edwards-Helaire was generally expected to be ready to go for the divisional round following Kansas City's bye in the wild-card round. Though Edwards-Helaire started the week off on a positive note by practicing on a limited basis, he logged no activity Thursday and Friday to take a questionable tag into Sunday. Unless Edwards-Helaire demonstrates some dramatic improvement in pregame warmups, he looks like he could be listed among the Chiefs' inactive players for the contest. If that's the case, the Chiefs would be down to Le'Veon Bell, Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson as their available backs.

Singletary registered 25 yards on seven carries, securing all three of his targets for 12 receiving yards during Saturday's 17-3 divisional-round win against the Ravens.

Singletary entered the playoff bout with just six combined carries for 28 yards over his two preceding outings. However, he was expected to experience an uptick in offensive usage with backfield mate Zack Moss (ankle) moved to IR on Tuesday. That didn't turn out to be the case, necessarily. After seeing Baltimore contain NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry to 40 yards over 18 carries during the wild-card round, Buffalo elected to open up the game with passes on 19 of the team's first 20 plays from scrimmage. Buffalo ultimately threw 37 times compared to 16 total rush attempts, but the team may choose to deploy a slightly more run-heavy game script if tasked with an AFC Championship Game matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the explosive Chiefs offense. A showdown with the Browns would be challenging, as it would offer a home matchup against the NFL's ninth-ranked rush defense.

Dobbins ran the ball 10 times for 42 yards, hauling in three of five targets for 51 yards during Saturday's 17-3 divisional-round loss to the Bills.

Dobbins came into the AFC playoff matchup having posted eight rushing scores over his past seven outings, but Buffalo held the rookie back without a TD despite him receiving three red-zone opportunities. As was a prevailing trend over the latter stages of the season with Mark Ingram a frequent healthy scratch, Baltimore deployed Gus Edwards and Dobbins in equal measure on the ground as each back garnered 10 rush attempts Saturday night. The rookie from Ohio State closed out the campaign with double-digit rush attempts over seven of his final eight games of the regular season, racking up an astronomical 6.0 yards per carry during that span. The 22-year-old will play a vital part of the Ravens' ground attack looking ahead to 2021 after totaling 805 yards and nine TDs on 134 carries in the regular season.

Dowdle gained 24 rushing yards on seven carries over 15 games in 2020.

The undrafted rookie out of South Carolina carved out a regular role on special teams as the season went on, amassing 152 yards on kickoff returns, but he saw snaps on offense in only four games and was used sparingly. With Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard both expected back in 2021, Dowdle should remain a depth option for Dallas if he retains his roster spot.

Akers rushed the ball 18 times for 90 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' divisional-round loss to the Packers on Saturday. He added one reception for six yards.

Akers' longest rush of the day went for 13 yards, though he managed to gain five or more yards on nine of his carries. He also converted the Rams' second touchdown of the contest, scoring from seven yards away on a direct snap. Though it took much of his rookie campaign, Akers established himself as the Rams' lead back by commanding at least 15 carries in each of his final six games -- dating back to the regular season. His role should only become more secure in 2021, as Malcolm Brown is set to hit free agency.

Jones rushed the ball 14 times for 99 yards and a touchdown in the Packers' divisional-round win over the Rams on Saturday. He added one reception for 14 yards.

Jones began the second half with a 60-yard run and ultimately capped the same drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge. He was held under wraps for the most part otherwise, with his only other significant rushes going for 11 and eight yards. Even so, he topped 100 total yards third time in his last four games -- spanning back to the regular season. He'll draw a tough matchup in the NFC Championship Game, when the Packers will take on either the Buccaneers or Saints.

Dillon was forced out of Saturday's NFC divisional-round game against the Rams with a quad injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

With the game secured in the Packers' favor, Dillon isn't expected to return. In turn, Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams will handle the rest of the backfield reps. Dillon finished the game with six rushes for 27 yards. The rookie out of Boston College will aim to recover for the NFC Championship Game next week.