NFL Player News

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday that he views Jones (finger) as doubtful to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list in advance of the team's Week 16 game in Detroit, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Prior to landing on the list Dec. 16, Jones' playing status was in question after he required surgery a day before that to address a fractured pinkie finger on his left hand. Arians didn't clarify where exactly Jones stands as he looks to clear the COVID-19 protocol, but the running back seemingly doesn't have much hope of receiving the green light for Saturday's game in Detroit. If that's the case, Leonard Fournette would likely be in store for another turn as Tampa Bay's lead back.

Williams (thigh) didn't take part in Tuesday's practice, Olivia Reiner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Green Bay won't release its first Week 16 practice report until Wednesday, but if his activity Tuesday is any indication, Williams will be listed as a non-participant. Williams was lifted early in Saturday's win over the Panthers with a thigh injury, finishing the game with one carry for six yards and two receptions for 14 yards across four offensive snaps.

Mattison was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday's practice due to a concussion.

After missing two games following an emergency appendectomy, Mattison returned to action for the Week 15 loss to the Bears and played a minor role behind lead back Dalvin Cook, finishing with one carry for one yard and a 14-yard reception over his six offensive snaps. Mattison appears to have picked up a concussion along the way, and he'll now have to clear the NFL's five-step protocol for head injuries in order to suit up Christmas Day against the Saints. If Mattison can't play, Ameer Abdullah and Mike Boone would serve as the top depth options behind Cook.

Mostert was placed on injured reserve Tuesday to a left high-ankle sprain, spelling an end to his 2020 season, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Mostert's season was plagued by injuries, as ankle and knee injuries will end up costing him eight games this year. The 28-year-old rushed 104 times for 521 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught 16 of 19 targets for 156 yards and a score. The 49ers will close out the 2020 campaign with a committee of Jeff Wilson (ankle), Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon at running back. Mostert is under contract for the 2021 season at a $3.3 million cap hit.

Mostert (ankle) isn't expected to return in the 2020 season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Mostert missed four games earlier this season with a left ankle injury, and he never fully recovered before suffering a high-ankle sprain to the same ankle in this past Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. With the 49ers eliminated from playoff contention, they're expected to shut Mostert down for the rest of the season. If that's the case, a committee of Jeff Wilson (ankle), Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon will handle the backfield reps for the final two games.

McFarland recorded one carry for five yards while bringing in his lone target for nine yards in Monday's 27-17 loss to the Bengals.

McFarland was expected to play a modest role for Pittsburgh on Monday after James Conner (quadriceps) was ruled out for the contest, and he was only on the field for seven offensive snaps in the loss. The rookie was a healthy scratch for the Steelers in Week 14, and he's unlikely to see a major uptick in usage over the final few weeks of the season.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin hinted Tuesday that Snell may continue to have a sizable role in the team's offensive game plan Week 16 against the Colts, even if James Conner (quadriceps) is available for the contest, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports. "You gotta admit Benny was an awesome element in a game that didn't have many," Tomlin said, in reference to Monday's 27-17 loss to the Bengals. "[Snell will] have the opportunity to be impactful [Week 16]."

While Conner was inactive Monday, Snell stepped in as Pittsburgh's lead back and was one of the few bright spots in the disappointing loss, rushing 18 times for 84 yards and a score and catching three of four targets for 23 yards. Though Tomlin is hoping Conner will be back Week 16, the 25-year-old had struggled over his last five outings prior to Monday's absence, averaging 3.5 yards per carry and 3.3 yards per target while finding the end zone only once. Conner's shaky health and poor production of late coupled with Snell's strong outing Monday may result in a timeshare being in place Week 16, an arrangement that would make it difficult to extract fantasy value from either back.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Conner (quadriceps) may be available for Sunday's game against the Colts, but he wouldn't guarantee that the 25-year-old would serve as Pittsburgh's lead back if he suits up, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports.

Though the Steelers suffered an embarrassing 27-17 loss to the 3-10-1 Bengals while Conner was sidelined Week 15, fill-in starter Benny Snell was one of the few bright spots for Pittsburgh, rushing 18 times for 84 yards and a touchdown and hauling in three of four targets for 23 yards. Per Kinkhabwala, Tomlin said Tuesday that Snell will "have the opportunity to be impactful" against the Colts, suggesting Pittsburgh could opt for a timeshare out of the backfield if Conner gains clearance to play. With no touchdowns and only 185 yards from scrimmage over his previous four outings, Conner's fantasy value had already been on the decline, and the prospect of him sharing work coming off an injury would only further dim his appeal.

Williams carried the rock just three times for five yards during Sunday's game against New Orleans.

Williams could be in line for a slightly heightened role over the last pair of games with Clyde Edwards-Helaire expected to miss out due to a high-ankle sprain. Le'Veon Bell should be set to handle most of the work, but Williams now slots in as the primary backup, which should carry an increased role as well. It's worth noting that even when Edwards-Helaire missed Week 13 versus the Broncos, Williams managed just six carries for 38 yards and a catch for another five, so there may not be a ton of fantasy upside on his end.

Perine rushed four times for 14 yards in the Bengals' 27-17 win over the Steelers on Monday night.

Perine had tied a season high with 10 carries in Week 14 against the Cowboys, but that workload was partly a byproduct of an early Giovani Bernard fumble that earned the veteran a benching. However, coach Zac Taylor gave Bernard ample opportunity to redeem himself Monday night in the form of 25 carries, which led to Perine reverting to a clear backup role. Considering he'd logged zero and three carries in Weeks 12 and 13 before last week's volume spike, the fourth-year pro will be difficult to trust despite an appealing Week 16 matchup against the Texans' AFC-worst rush defense.