NFL Player News

Williams' thigh injury isn't considered to be severe, but how he fares in rehab will determine his availability for next Sunday's game versus the Titans, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Due to the phrasing, Williams seems poised to be more involved with the training staff than with his teammates on the practice field for Week 16 prep. Wednesday's injury report ultimately may set the stage for his ability to suit up next weekend. If he's unable to do so, Williams could yield reps rookie second-rounder to AJ Dillon, though Aaron Jones figures to earn the bulk of the RB touches in that scenario.

Mostert left Sunday's game at Dallas due to an ankle injury, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mostert logged a one-yard carry on the 49ers' first offensive play of the second half, but shortly thereafter he was seen grabbing at his left ankle on the bench, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Deemed questionable to return, Mostert will finish Week 15 with 14 carries for 68 yards if he's unable to do so. In the meantime, Jeff Wilson will carry the load out of San Fran's backfield.

Patterson (knee) is back on the field Sunday against the Vikings, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 29-year-old left due to the knee injury just before halftime, but he was able to retake the field in the second half. Patterson should continue to work as the secondary running back and primary kickoff returner for the Bears.

Edmonds (ankle) is listed as active Sunday against the Eagles.

The Cardinals proceeded with caution this week, holding Edmonds out of practice until Friday, when he logged a limited session. Considered a game-time decision, he put in a pregame workout to determine whether he was fit to go on his ankle. With his status confirmed for Week 15, Edmonds will work in tandem with Kenyan Drake out of the backfield, likely capped at the 8.4 touches per game in which he's acted as the latter's backup.

Patterson is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Vikings due to a knee injury, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The 29-year-old had one carry for three yards, one receptions for four yards and returned one kickoff for 19 yards before leaving the contest. Ryan Nall would serve as Chicago's secondary running back and Anthony Miller could be the return man if Patterson can't return after halftime.

Dallas won't return to Sunday's game against Washington due to an ankle injury, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle reports.

It appears to be a serious injury as the 22-year-old was carted off the field, though the specifics of the issue remain unclear. Rashaad Penny was activated from the PUP list Saturday and will work as Seattle's No. 3 tailback with Dallas sidelined.

In his return to action, Breida is in the mix for carries Sunday against the Patriots, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

With Myles Gaskin (illness) still on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Salguero suggests that Salvon Ahmed and Breida "should get most of the carries" Sunday, with DeAndre Washington and Patrick Laird also on hand. While Breida isn't necessarily a high-percentage fantasy choice in that context, he is a consideration for those with limited options scrambling to plug lineup holes created by Sunday's inactives.

ESPN's Cameron Wolfe indicates that Ahmed (shoulder), who is back after after missing three games with a shoulder injury, is in line to lead Miami's backfield Sunday against the Patriots.

He re-enters the mix with Myles Gaskin on the reserve/COVID-19 list and the Dolphins' pass-catching corps without key cogs DeVante Parker (hamstring), Mike Gesicki (shoulder) and Jakeem Grant (hamstring). In that context, the Dolphins will need all they can get from Ahmed, Matt Breida and DeAndre Washington, while Patrick Laird is on hand in a reserve role.

Ollison (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers.

Atlanta rolls into Week 15 deploying a trio of active backs with Todd Gurley, Brian Hill and Ito Smith each dressing for the NFC South showdown. Ollison has been sparsely involved this season for the Falcons' 25th-ranked rushing attack, fielding just one carry over 13 combined offensive snaps in his three game appearances.

Dowdle is expected to serve as the Cowboys' top backup running back behind Tony Pollard with Ezekiel Elliott (calf) inactive for the contest, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

So long as the contest remains competitive, expect Pollard to see the overwhelming share of snaps and touches out of the backfield, as Dowdle -- an undrafted rookie out of South Carolina -- has yet to be entrusted with a meaningful role on offense. Since logging three carries on three snaps in garbage time Week 6 against Arizona, Dowdle's action has come exclusively on special teams over the subsequent seven games.