NFL Player News

Ahmed (shoulder) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

According to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com, Ahmed donned a red no-contact jersey for the session, so he still has a few hurdles to clear before being deemed ready for game action. Elsewhere in the Miami backfield, Matt Breida (illness) has returned from reserve/COVID-19 list, while Myles Gaskin remains on the list after testing positive for the virus and looks unlikely to play Sunday against the Patriots. If Ahmed and Breida are both cleared for Week 15, it would be difficult to determine how Miami's backfield reps are divvied up between them and DeAndre Washington.

The Buccaneers placed Jones (finger) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Jones' availability for Week 15 was already in question after he underwent finger surgery Tuesday, and he'll now need to overcome that injury in addition to clearing all necessary COVID-19 protocols before suiting up Sunday against the Falcons. His placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list doesn't necessarily mean that Jones tested positive for the virus, as he may have just been a close contact of someone who did. In any case, it's looking increasingly likely that some combination of Leonard Fournette, LeSean McCoy and Ke'Shawn Vaughn will comprise the Tampa Bay backfield this weekend.

Jones (finger) won't practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM Radio reports.

Jones had surgery Tuesday to put a pin into his fractured pinkie, so his absence from practice a day later comes as little surprise. Teammate Chris Godwin missed one game after a similar procedure earlier this season, and while Jones' status for Sunday's trip to Atlanta has yet to be determined, the team would ideally want to see the running back practice in some capacity before clearing him for game action. If Jones sits out Sunday, Tampa Bay's backfield would consist of some combination of LeSean McCoy, Leonard Fournette and Ke'Shawn Vaughn.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Mostert (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Mostert has missed four games this season due to a high-ankle sprain, but he's also served in a timeshare at running back for each of the past three contests, racking up 156 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 44 touches during that span. Shanahan told Wagoner on Monday that Mostert emerged from this past Sunday's loss to Washington with an ankle issue that required "further imaging." The results of those tests haven't been revealed, but Mostert isn't exactly kicking off Week 15 prep in great shape. Jeff Wilson, Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon are the next running backs up for the 49ers.

Coach Matt Rhule said McCaffrey (thigh) could return for the Panthers' Week 16 matchup with Washington, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

There's no need to read between the lines for Week 15, as Rhule already said McCaffrey isn't expected to play Saturday in Green Bay. McCaffrey was downgraded from limited practice participation Tuesday to non-participation Wednesday, which all but confirms that Mike Davis as the team's lead back for another week. The Panthers don't yet have any plans to shut McCaffrey down, so he should be out there Week 16 or 17 if he's deemed healthy enough to play.

Gibson (toe) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, Kyle Stackpole of Washington's official site reports.

Gibson and Alex Smith (calf) were present for the session, but neither actually took reps with the main group, or at least they didn't do enough to be listed as limited participants. While Gibson's continued absence from practice isn't a great sign, head coach Ron Rivera said the running back has made "good progress" recovering from turf toe, according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington. The team isn't ready to rule Gibson out for Sunday's game against Seattle, though it's certainly possible he misses another game.

McCaffrey (thigh) didn't practice Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Coach Matt Rhule already said he doesn't expect McCaffrey to return for Saturday's game against the Packers, though the running back was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice. McCaffrey followed a similar path last week, kicking things off with a limited session Wednesday before sitting out entirely Thursday and Friday. He was then ruled out on the final injury report, allowing Mike Davis to make his 10th start of the year. The Panthers are now preparing Davis for start No. 11.

Gibson (toe) was present at practice Wednesday, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Unsurprisingly, Gibson didn't practice last week due to the turf toe injury that he picked up early on in Washington's Week 13 win at Pittsburgh. He may merely be out on the field Wednesday to get some work in on the side with Washington's training staff, but he at least appears to be making some progress through his health concern. Wednesday's injury report will make clear whether Gibson was able to practice.

The Dolphins activated Breida (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com reports.

Breida missed two games while on the list, but he'll be available for Sunday's matchup with the Patriots. With Myles Gaskin (illness) still on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Salvon Ahmed's health (shoulder) still looking uncertain, Breida could have a chance to join DeAndre Washington as Miami's primary backfield options Week 15.

Armah hauled in his only target during Sunday's 32-27 loss to the Broncos.

Armah's lone catch only got back to the line of scrimmage, but it's notable that he did draw a look in the red zone for the first time since Week 6. On a less positive note, the fullback has played just seven combined offensive snaps over the last two weeks. That's his lowest usage over a two-game stretch all season.