NFL Player News

Gordon (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Chiefs.

Gordon's official status matches the notion previously put forth via Ricky Henne of the Chargers' official site that the decision on the running back's Week 15 status "will come down to the wire just before kickoff." What is known for sure already is that Gordon's top backup, Austin Ekeler (neck/concussion), has been ruled out. If Gordon is unavailable for a third straight game or limited at all, added work would be in store for Justin Jackson, with Detrez Newsome available in a reserve capacity.

Breida (ankle) will be limited at Wednesday's practice, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Coach Kyle Shanahan got ahead of any questions about Breida's status for Week 14 by ruling him out for that game one day after the running back played through a lingering ankle injury in a Dec. 2 loss to the Seahawks. The reprieve from game action appears to have done Breida some good, but it remains to be seen if he'll do enough in practice this week to be cleared for a rematch with Seattle this weekend. In Breida's place this past Sunday, Jeff Wilson compiled 96 yards from scrimmage on 24 touches as the lead back in a 20-14 win over the Broncos.

Clement (knee) likely will have some limitations during the Eagles' offseason program, Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com reports.

While the Eagles haven't provided many details on Clement's injury, this timeline suggests it's something fairly severe, though not quite on par with an ACL or patella tear. The second-year running back was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, finishing a disappointing sophomore season with 68 carries for 259 yards (3.8 YPC) and two touchdowns as well as 22 catches for 192 yards on 25 targets (7.7 YPT). Clement's role in 2019 will largely depend on what the Eagles do in the offseason to address their running-back room. Jay Ajayi (knee) is set to become an unrestricted free agent and Darren Sproles may finally be ready to retire.

Elliott (neck) didn't participate in practice Wednesday, Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News

Hairopoulos notes that Elliott was on the field Wednesday but was in sweats, while his teammates practiced with their helmets on. Per Todd Archer of ESPN.com, the running back suffered a stinger in Sunday's overtime win over the Eagles, but returned to the game and finished with 28 carries for 113 yards and 12 catches for 79 yards. The Cowboys will provide their first Week 15 practice report later Wednesday, which will indicate if Elliott was a non-participant due to injury or merely for rest. Either way, he's expected to be ready to go this weekend against the Colts.

The Bills promoted Ford from their practice squad Wednesday.

With LeSean McCoy (hamstring) and Chris Ivory (shoulder) both banged up coming out of the Week 14 loss to the Jets, Ford will join the roster as a depth option out of the backfield. The Texas A&M product has yet to see any NFL action and would likely be limited to a special-teams role if he suits up Sunday against the Lions.

Freeman carried the ball six times for 36 yards during Sunday's 20-14 loss in San Francisco.

The Broncos' offense didn't start to click until they were too late against the 49ers. Stacked boxes can be partially to blame as San Francisco sold out against the run, holding the Broncos to just 3.8 yards per carry. The Broncos now lack anything resembling experience at receiver or tight end, with first-year players like Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick leading the charge. Expect teams to take a similar run-focused approach down the stretch versus Denver, starting Saturday against at Cleveland run defense that has been gashed at times this season, surrendering a sizable 4.7 yards per carry.

Artis-Payne rushed for five yards on his lone carry during Sunday's 26-20 loss to Cleveland.

The carry was just Artis-Payne's second touch of the season. He's totaled just six yards. With C.J. Anderson now out of town, the fourth-year back has a chance to be more involved in the offense, but -- even as RB No. 2 -- he figures to get RB3-level carries given the running prowess of Cam Newton. That, along with a Monday matchup against the Saints' top-three run defense, makes him a bad play this week.

Ekeler (neck/concussion) didn't participate in Tuesday's practice.

After suffering a bruised nerve in his neck on an onside kick recovery attempt late in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Bengals, Ekeler entered the concussion protocol after developing symptoms of a head injury during Monday's team walkthrough. Per Sam Fortier of The Athletic, the two injuries make it unlikely Ekeler will rally in time for Thursday's game in Kansas City, potentially leaving the Chargers perilously thin in the backfield. On a more fortunate note, workhorse Melvin Gordon (knee) returned to practice Tuesday in a limited fashion and is angling to return from a two-game absence, but if he can't gain clearance to play, seventh-round rookie Justin Jackson and undrafted free agent Detrez Newsome would be the lone available backs for Los Angeles.

The Raiders parted ways with Anderson on Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Anderson didn't have long to gain a foothold in the Raiders backfield, lasting just a week in Oakland before the two sides went their separate ways. The veteran running back has now departed from two different teams this season, taking the field for just 55 offensive snaps over nine games for Carolina prior to being released by the Panthers earlier. Given that he racked up a career-high 1,007 rushing yards in 2017, there may still be some teams out there interested in adding Anderson as depth.

Gordon (knee) was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice.

Compared to earlier Tuesday when coach Anthony Lynn told Steve Wyche of NFL Network that he wasn't optimistic Gordon would be ready to go Thursday against the Chiefs, he seems to have budding enthusiasm for the running back's chances of playing. In addition to logging his first practice participation of any kind since suffering the MCL sprain in the Week 12 win over the Cardinals, Gordon relayed that he felt much better and believes he can push at least for a gametime decision Thursday, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. A limited or full showing at Wednesday's practice would represent another positive step for Gordon's Week 15 status, but rookie Justin Jackson would be on tap to handle a leading role for the Chargers if the team's top back isn't cleared to play.