NFL Player News

Edwards (ankle), who missed Wednesday's practice, returned to work Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Per the report, Edwards didn't appear hampered by his ankle injury and "should be fine to start Sunday" against the Falcons. We'll circle back on his status later Thursday, once the Ravens report his level of practice participation.

Breida (ankle) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Breida was affected by an ankle injury for most of October, but November has been a different story. Prior to the 49ers' previous games in Weeks 10 and 12, his practice reps weren't impacted, making this his first limited listing since Oct. 31. He's sandwiched back-to-back 100-yard performances on the ground about the 49ers' Week 11 bye, totaling 272 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in those two outings. Assuming he continues to play through any residual discomfort in his ankle, he'll set his sights on Sunday's matchup with the Seahawks, who have given up 143.9 scrimmage yards per game and 12 touchdowns to running backs in 11 contests this season.

Coach Anthony Lynn believes Ekeler will have no problem holding up as an every-down back, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports. "That's why you see him running through tackles," Lynn said. "That's why you see him creating yards after contact. He's not a big back, but he can do those type of things."

Ekeler is a bit on the small side at 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds, but Lynn was quick to point out that the second-year back is the strongest player on the Chargers roster from a pound-for-pound standpoint. The 23-year-old is set to replace Melvin Gordon (knee) in the starting lineup for the second time this season, having previously filled in with 12 carries for 42 yards and five catches for 26 yards in a 20-19 win over Tennessee in Week 7. While his final stat line was disappointing, Ekeler handled a three-down role against the Titans, logging 42 of 44 offensive snaps (96 percent) in a game where the opponent dominated possession. Sunday's contest in Pittsburgh should be much more fruitful in terms of overall play volume, offering clear potential for a shootout. The Chargers don't seem to have much confidence in fellow running backs Justin Jackson and Detrez Newsome.

Jones (hamstring) wasn't listed on the Buccaneers' injury report Wednesday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Since straining his hamstring Week 8, Jones was a regular presence on those reports, missing four games in the process. With the injury behind him, he can focus on regaining a foothold in Tampa Bay's backfield, which has been dominated by Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers this season to the tune of 19.5 touches per game between the duo.

Edwards didn't practice Wednesday due to an ankle issue.

Edwards has logged 40 carries over the past two weeks, so it's quite possible that he's simply a little sore and therefore received Wednesday off to rest up in advance of Sunday's game against the Falcons. Assuming that his ankle isn't a major concern, Edwards is trending toward leading Baltimore's backfield once again in Week 13, with fellow running back Alex Collins (foot) not practicing Wednesday.

Drake (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald confirms Drake was limited to non-contact work, just as coach Adam Gase suggested he would be at the beginning of the week. Drake followed the same plan ahead of last week's 27-24 loss to the Colts, ultimately piling up 96 yards and two scores on 13 touches. He aggravated his shoulder injury midway through the fourth quarter, but returned to take a carry on the Dolphins' final drive. With Miami still holding out hope for a wild-card spot, Drake seems likely to give it a go Sunday against the Bills.

Mack (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, putting his availability for Sunday's game in Jacksonville in serious question, Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

The nature of the NFL's concussion protocol makes it difficult for a player to gain clearance by Sunday without logging some level of participation early in the week. Mack thus needs to practice in at least a limited capacity Thursday or Friday to have any realistic shot at avoiding a Week 13 absence. The Colts likely are preparing for Sunday's game under the assumption Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins will handle most of the backfield work.

Edwards didn't take part in Wednesday's practice but may have just been held out for maintenance purposes after handling 40 carries the past two weeks, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Edwards didn't mention any injury while taking with the media prior to practice. It's still worth keeping an eye out for how the Ravens list Edwards' absence when they release their initial Week 13 injury report later Wednesday. Fellow running back Alex Collins (foot) also was held out of Wednesday's practice and is viewed as day-to-day ahead of Sunday's contest against Atlanta, so Edwards could be trending toward a third consecutive week as the Ravens' clear lead option out of the backfield, per Hensley.

Coach Frank Reich said Wednesday that Mack remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site reports.

Reich didn't elaborate on whether Mack would take part in the Colts' first practice of the week Wednesday, but even limited involvement in that session would represent a sign of progress in the running back's recovery from the head injury, which forced him to exit in the fourth quarter of the Week 12 win over the Dolphins. If Mack is unable to pass through the five-step protocol in advance of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins would likely share the Colts' backfield snaps.

Abdullah was targeted once but did not record a catch during Sunday's 24-17 win over the Packers.

Abdullah has just one touch in two games in Minnesota and, after two kick returns in Week 11, did not bring the ball out on Sunday. The top of the Vikings' stable is pretty set with Latavius Murray and Dalvin Cook. Though Abdullah's speed could conceivably add another dimension to the attack, you should see it before you believe it. The Patriots' bottom-10 total defense looms Sunday, but Abdullah won't get many offensive chances to test it.