NFL Player News

Taylor (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Dolphins.

Taylor hasn't played since Week 3. He was a limited participant in practice all week, but that's been a consistent theme lately with no effect on his game status. If he's able to suit up, he'll simply add depth in the backfield behind Damien Harris (ankle) and James White (foot), both of whom are also questionable.

Conner (quad) returned to practice Friday in a limited fashion, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The activity is a step in the right direction for the Steelers' lead back, after he sat out Thursday's practice. Saturday's injury report will reveal whether Conner approaches Monday's game against the Bengals with an injury designation. If Conner ends up sitting out Week 15, Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels would be the next men up for touches and snaps out of the Pittsburgh backfield.

Harris (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins after being limited at practice both Thursday and Friday.

Harris and fellow running back James White (foot) are among the 14 New England players listed as questionable this week, though added context with regard to who's in and who's out should arrive once the Patriots announce which players won't travel with the team to Miami. At this point, a Week 15 absence from Harris would be surprising, but if he's out or limited at all Sunday, Sony Michel would be in line for added touches.

The Dolphins list Ahmed (shoulder) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

After the shoulder injury sidelined him for the past three games, Ahmed turned in a trio of limited practices this week en route to receiving the questionable designation. Prior to getting hurt, Ahmed had been working as Miami's lead back, but his role for Week 15 is unsettled for now, given his uncertain status for the contest in addition to the fact that he's been sidelined for much of the past month. Myles Gaskin (illness) isn't on track to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list this week, so the Dolphins would be forced to rely on the trio of DeAndre Washington, Matt Breida and Patrick Laird if Ahmed is forced to miss a fourth straight game.

Jones (finger) isn't expected to play in Sunday's game against the Falcons, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Despite undergoing surgery Tuesday on his fractured left pinkie finger, Jones might have been in good shape to play this week, but he now faces a second obstacle to overcome after he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday. Coach Bruce Arians said he's preparing Leonard Fournette for the Week 15 start, with LeSean McCoy, Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Kenjon Barner on hand as the other backfield options. After Sunday, the Bucs will be working on an abbreviated schedule Week 16 as they prepare for a Saturday game in Detroit on Dec. 26.

Mattison (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears.

A return to practice Thursday as a limited participant gives Mattison a shot to avoid his third straight absence. He had an appendectomy Dec. 5, after seeing just five carries and 22 snaps in a three-game stretch Weeks 10 through 12. The Vikings will likely give Dalvin Cook the vast majority of backfield work in a crucial game this week, regardless of Mattison's availability.

Gibson (toe) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Seattle, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

Gibson returned to practice Friday as a limited participant, performing individual drills while the rest of the offense did team work on the other side of the field, per JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington. While he hasn't officially been ruled out for the upcoming game, Gibson is more likely to make it back for Week 16 against the Panthers. Washington split backfield work between Peyton Barber and J.D. McKissic last week, with the former getting one more carry (12-11) and the latter one more target (4-3). Coach Ron Rivera told reporters Thursday that he's "very hopeful" Gibson will return before the end of the regular season, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Gibson (toe) is going through position drills at Friday's practice, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

His return to practice -- even in a limited capacity -- could set Gibson up for a game-time decision Sunday against the Seahawks. His listing on the final injury report will be revealed later Friday.

Edmonds (ankle) returned to practice Friday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Edmonds was absent Wednesday and Thursday, but his presence on the field Friday suggests his ankle injury isn't too serious, with Urban relaying that the running back was "moving around pretty well" during the session. There was no sign of any problem last week in a 26-7 win over the Giants, as Edmonds took 11 touches for 53 yards while playing 51 percent of the Cardinals' offensive snaps. Even if he's expected to play Sunday against the Eagles, he'll likely carry a designation into the weekend after missing back-to-back practices. Kenyan Drake likely would take on more snaps if Edmonds were to miss Sunday's game.

Coach Mike McCarthy said "all things look like" Elliott (calf) is going to play Sunday against the 49ers, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

McCarthy also said the 25-year-old is "a little further away" than he was at this point last week, but the calf injury apparently isn't a significant concern. In last week's win over the Bengals, Elliott accrued 14 touches for 59 yards while playing a typical 63 percent of the offensive snaps. He should be in store for a relatively normal workload again Week 15.