NFL Player News

Edwards-Helaire (illness) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Though Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously reported Saturday that Edwards-Helaire was on track to play Sunday, the fourth-year running back ultimately didn't show enough improvement in his recovery from the illness that kept him from practicing Thursday and Friday to give it a go for Week 17. With Edwards-Helaire sidelined, the Chiefs are left with La'Mical Perine and Keaontay Ingram as their depth options behind lead back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder), whose practice time had also been limited this week while he was in concussion protocol. Pacheco could nonetheless be tasked with handling a workhorse role out of the backfield Sunday given the lack of snaps Perine and Ingram have seen with Kansas City this season.

McCaffrey exited Sunday's game against the Commanders with a right calf injury and is questionable to return.

Prior to sustaining his calf injury, McCaffrey had carried 14 times for 64 yards and caught four of his five targets for 27 yards. If the star tailback is sidelined for the rest of Week 17, Elijah Mitchell would likely finish the contest as the 49ers' lead option on the ground.

Kamara has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with an ankle injury, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Kamara carried 10 times for 45 yards and caught two passes for four yards in the first two quarters of the game but remained in the locker room at halftime to get the ankle injury checked out. The Saints initially listed Kamara as questionable to return shortly after the third quarter started, only for him to be ruled out for the rest of the game shortly thereafter. New Orleans will likely turn to Jamaal Williams and Taysom Hill as its primary rushers for the rest of the day.

Pacheco (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Pacheco managed just one limited practice this week while he was tending to a shoulder injury in addition to being included in concussion protocol, but he cleared the five-step protocol Saturday to erase any lingering concern about his availability for the Week 17 contest. Despite his light activity in practice this week, Pacheco could be tasked with handling a heavy workload Sunday, given the lack of established depth behind him. Passing-down specialist Jerick McKinnon (groin) was placed on injured reserve last week, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) is a surprise inactive Sunday, which leaves recent roster additions La'Mical Perine and Keaontay Ingram as the lone reserve backs behind Pacheco.

Walker (shoulder/illness) is listed as active Sunday against the Steelers.

Walker followed the same practice routine this week as he did during Week 16 prep -- back-to-back DNPs followed by a limited session -- before the Seahawks termed him questionable for the upcoming game. However, coach Pete Carroll provided less clarity about Walker's upcoming availability this time around, calling him a game-time decision Friday, per Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. The tide turned for the better following an ensuing report from Adam Schefter of ESPN that Walker was expected to suit up Sunday, and that has come to fruition. It remains to be seen if Walker will be able to handle his normal workload, but while playing through the shoulder injury last Sunday at Tennessee, he turned 58 percent of snaps into 17 touches for 56 yards from scrimmage, while reserve RB Zach Charbonnet took three touches for minus-4 yards on the other 42 percent of plays.

Evans (coach's decision) is inactive ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The rookie running back out of Ole Miss is a healthy scratch for the second consecutive week, seemingly falling down Los Angeles' depth chart. Royce Freeman and Ronnie Rivers will assume the Rams' reserve RB duties, and Evans' next opportunity to suit up will come in Week 18 against the 49ers.

Hasty (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game at Buffalo.

The Patriots will enter Sunday's matchup against the Bills with just two healthy running backs: Ezekiel Elliott and Kevin Harris. Hasty has played exclusively on special teams over the last two weeks, so New England will have to try to find a way to replace his production in that phase.

Penny is active for just the third time this season for Sunday's Week 17 clash against the Cardinals, Zach Berman of AllPhly.com reports.

Penny will presumably serve as a depth back behind D'Andre Swift and Kenneth Gainwell and also slot in as the backup kick returner, per Berman. The 2018 first-round pick of the Seahawks has logged just five touches all season, but with the Eagles heavily favored and facing a Cardinals defense allowing an NFL-high 147.0 rushing yards per game, Penny could have a rare opportunity to make an impact.

With Josh Jacobs (quad) inactive, White is in line to continue to lead the Raiders' backfield Sunday against the Colts, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

White has started the team's last two games in the absence of Jacobs, and that context will continue versus Indianapolis on Sunday. Over his last two outings while filling in as the Raiders' top back, White has combined to record 39 carries for 214 yards and a TD to go along with three catches for 16 yards in that span. With a path to rushing volume once again available for the 2022 fourth-rounder, White profiles as a solid fantasy lineup option in Week 17.

Foreman (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.

Foreman was inactive for last week's win over Arizona due to personal reasons and will be in street clothes again Sunday while Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson split backfield duties. With Herbert and Johnson banged up earlier in the season, Foreman had a strong stretch from Weeks 6-10, totaling 81 rushing attempts for 351 yards and three scores while securing seven catches for 47 yards and an additional score. Barring an injury to Herbert and/or Johnson, it'd be surprising to see Foreman available for Chicago's regular-season finale in Green Bay next week.