NFL Player News

Estime rushed the ball nine times for 24 yards in Saturday's 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals. He added one reception on one target for 13 yards.

Estime earned nine carries for the second consecutive week, finishing second narrowly behind Jaleel McLaughlin for touches out of the backfield. He had difficulty finding running room, as his longest rush went for just six yards, and he was held for two yards or fewer on four of his nine carries. While Estime seems to have established a role in the Denver offense, his fantasy appeal remains limited in the split backfield.

McLaughlin rushed the ball 10 times for 69 yards in Saturday's 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals. He added two receptions on two targets for seven yards.

McLaughlin returned from a quadriceps injury that sidelined him in Week 16, and he narrowly led the Broncos' backfield in touches. While the split backfield continues to hold back his overall stat lines, McLaughlin was impressive with his opportunity by picking up at least 10 yards on four of his 10 carries. He appears to be the most trustworthy running back in the offense heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs, but his fantasy appeal remains limited due to the unpredictable division of touches.

Herbert rushed the ball four times for 23 yards in Saturday's 30-24 overtime win over the Broncos.

Chase Brown led the Bengals' backfield but suffered a sprained ankle late in the fourth quarter when he slid short of the end zone. That pushed Herbert into a substantial role in overtime, highlighted by a 13-yard rush to kick off Cincinnati's game-clinching drive. Herbert should lead the backfield in Week 18 against Pittsburgh if Brown is unable to suit up.

Conner is questionable to return to Saturday's Week 17 game against the Rams due to a knee injury, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Conner injured his knee last Sunday in a loss to Carolina and was limited throughout practice this week. He received a questionable tag heading into Saturday's contest but was ultimately able to suit up. However, Conner was ineffective early in the game, rushing four times for four yards and catching two of three targets for another four yards, before being deemed questionable for the remainder of the contest in the second quarter. If the star running back is unable to return against Los Angeles, Michael Carter figures to lead Arizona's backfield, with DeeJay Dallas also likely to get some offensive snaps.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said following Saturday's 30-24 overtime win over Denver that Brown is dealing with a right ankle sprain, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Brown's injury occurred late in the fourth quarter as he slid near the Broncos' goal line in an attempt to avoid the end zone in order to run time off the clock. Cincinnati was able to pull out the must-win game in OT, but Brown was ruled out before the final points were scored. When asked about Brown's injury after the game, Taylor stated, "I just know it's an ankle sprain, we'll see from there," per Pelissero. The Bengals remain alive in the playoff race, but it's unclear if they'll have their No. 1 running back for next weekend's regular-season finale versus Pittsburgh.

Brown won't return to Saturday's game against the Broncos due to a right ankle injury.

Brown had his right leg bent under him as he slid just before the goal line inside of the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter. He got to his feet but took only a few steps before falling back to the turf. After a few minutes, Brown made his way to the sideline but had a clear limp as he moved about before being ruled out. Khalil Herbert will man the backfield for the Bengals for the rest of overtime.

Benson (ankle) is inactive for Saturday's game at the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Benson thus will miss a second consecutive contest due to an ankle injury, but on a positive note he at least was listed as limited on all three Week 17 injury reports, suggesting that his health is trending in the right direction ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the 49ers. As for Saturday, though, James Conner (knee) will continue to lead Arizona's backfield, while Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas back him up.

Conner (knee) is listed as active Saturday at the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Less than a week removed from injuring his right knee last Sunday in Carolina, Conner will be available to the Cardinals offense Week 17, as a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network implied he would be. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network also relayed that Conner will be a "full go" Saturday, meaning he should approach the 18.5 touches per game that he's averaged this season. With rookie third-round pick Trey Benson (ankle) out again, Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas are the backfield options not named Conner for Arizona this weekend.

Guerendo (foot/hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Monday's game versus the Lions, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Guerendo managed limited practices Thursday and Friday due to foot and hamstring injuries that sidelined him last Sunday in Miami. Adam Schefter of ESPN then reported Saturday afternoon that Guerendo was expected to play Week 17, which now is a formality following comments from coach Kyle Shanahan. Guerendo thus will pace the 49ers backfield Monday after doing so Weeks 14 and 15, when he combined for 37 touches for 203 total yards and two rushing TDs.

Stevenson started against the Chargers on Saturday but carried the ball only twice for one yard in the Patriots' 40-7 loss.

The Patriots indicated that they would bench Stevenson for Antonio Gibson on Saturday and more or less did -- Gibson saw 12 carries to Stevenson's two -- yet they bizarrely had Stevenson open the game as the starter, apparently in a ceremonial capacity. It's not clear what the Patriots meant to accomplish by doing that, but the result either way is that Stevenson has uncertain standing as the Patriots prepare to face the Bills in Week 18. Gibson did well with the workload, running for 63 yards, so it's not obvious what the Patriots mean to do next with Stevenson or/and Gibson.