NFL Player News

Murray (quad) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff game against the Buccaneers after returning to a limited practice Friday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Back-to-back DNPs Wednesday and Thursday set the stage for Friday to be pivotal with regard to Murray's chances of suiting up this weekend. If available Sunday, Murray would be in line to work in a complementary role behind the team's lead back, Alvin Kamara.

Jones (quad/finger) is listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional-round playoff game against New Orleans after logging limited practices Thursday and Friday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Bruce Arians previously noted that Jones will be a game-time decision for the contest, while relaying Friday that regardless of whether Jones ends up playing Sunday, Leonard Fournette -- who turned in a strong performance in the team's wild-card win over Washington this past Saturday -- will get the start at running back. That said, Arians added that if Jones is "full-speed" by game-time, he'd get "his normal reps."

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) did not practice Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC divisional-round game against the Browns, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Edwards-Helaire has now missed back-to-back practices since logging a limited session Wednesday, but Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports that the starting running back's lack of recent activity has been intentional to provide him rest, rather than representative of a setback. Coach Andy Reid hinted that Edwards-Helaire could be a true game-time decision for Sunday's contest. Le'Veon Bell and Darrel Williams will stand to lead the Chiefs' backfield if Edwards-Helaire can't go.

Coach Bruce Arians noted Friday that Jones (quad) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's divisional-round playoff game at New Orleans, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With that in mind, Jones seems like to be officially listed as questionable for the contest. Either way, however, Leonard Fournette will be the Buccaneers' starting running back Sunday following his strong performance in the team's wild-card win over Washington this past Saturday.

Freeman ran for 170 yards on 35 carries and added 81 yards on 12 catches during the 2020 season.

Freeman's workload took a hit following the Broncos' acquisition of Melvin Gordon. Though he averaged 4.9 yards per carry, a full yard above his career average, Freeman seldom garnered many touches with Gordon serving as the bell cow more often than not and Phillip Lindsay also a factor in the 11 games he played.  With the exception of Week 13's game against the Saints, in which Freeman took snaps at wildcat quarterback, the 2018 third-rounder never topped 35 yards and didn't log more than nine touches in any contest. Freeman may still offer value as a third-down back, but depending on what the Broncos do in the offseason, his role is far from guaranteed heading into 2021.

Murray (quad) didn't practice Thursday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

With Murray and Taysom Hill (knee) both missing practice for a second straight day, Alvin Kamara may be tasked with an even larger portion of the rushing workload Sunday against the Buccaneers. Murray injured his quad in the Saints' wild-card win over Chicago, missing the entire fourth quarter after he pulled up limping at the end of a play in the third quarter.

Jones (quad/finger) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Given what happened last week -- when he was active but didn't play any snaps -- fantasy managers will feel a whole lot better if Jones is able to upgrade to full participation Friday. Barring that development, he appears to be headed for a 'questionable' designation ahead of the Bucs' playoff matchup with New Orleans on Sunday. The team has Leonard Fournette on hand to fill in as the lead runner against a stout New Orleans run defense if Jones is limited or out this weekend.

Mack, who ruptured his right Achilles' tendon in Week 1, is slated to become a free agent this offseason, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Though GM Chris Ballard didn't rule out bringing Mack back in 2021, he acknowledged that the running back, who has worked hard to recover from his injury, "deserves a good contract. I don't know if we are going to be able to do that here." In Mack's absence this past season, Jonathan Taylor established himself as the Colts' top back, while Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins worked in change-of-pace/complementary roles. The trio remain under contract with the team next season.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) didn't practice Thursday, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

It's a step backward -- at least on paper -- after the rookie was a limited practice participant Wednesday. It's possible this was the Chiefs' plan all along, but it does throw some doubt on Edwards-Helaire's availability for a playoff game against the Browns on Sunday. He missed the final two weeks of the regular season after suffering a high-ankle sprain Dec. 20.

Jones (quadriceps) is practicing Thursday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Between thumb surgery, a stint on the COVID-19 list and now a quad injury, Jones has played in just one game since Week 14. He was technically active for the wild-card win over Washington, but the Bucs decided he wasn't healthy enough to actually play. After missing practice Wednesday, the running back returned to the field Thursday morning, hoping to prove his health before Sunday's game in New Orleans. If Jones can't go, Leonard Fournette will step up to the lead role again.