NFL Player News

Mattison (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions, is expected to play, but he may be less than 100 percent healthy, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

After sitting out the Vikings' 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals in Week 15 due to a sprained right ankle, Mattison has put himself in position to play Sunday after he was able to return to practice Friday as a limited participant. When active this season, Mattison has typically paced the Vikings in snaps and touches out of the backfield, but Pelissero suggests that the 25-year-old will likely find himself in a supporting role Sunday while Ty Chandler gets another chance to lead the backfield after producing 157 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 26 touches in Week 15. Head coach Kevin O'Connell intimated earlier in the week that Chandler had likely earned himself another opportunity as the lead back, and O'Connell even seemed to leave the door open for Chandler sticking atop the depth chart once Mattison is closer to 100 percent healthy. How both Chandler and Mattison perform Sunday could have significant sway in how the running-back depth chart shakes out for Weeks 17 and 18.

Foreman (personal), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, isn't expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Foreman returned to practice as a limited participant after missing Thursday's session due to a personal matter, but despite not being listed with any health-related issue, the veteran running back isn't expected to suit up against Arizona. His expected absence provides a clearer path to Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson to dominate Chicago's backfield opportunities. Official word on Foreman's status will arrive with the release of the Bears' inactive list 90 minutes ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Walker (shoulder), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Titans, is trending toward playing, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Head coach Pete Carroll echoed a similar sentiment about Walker's status following Friday's practice, which marked the running back's lone on-field work during Week 16 prep. More concerning for Walker's fantasy managers than his health is a difficult matchup against Tennessee's rugged run defense, although that unit may take a step back due to the absence of star lineman Jeffery Simmons (knee), who was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Official confirmation regarding Walker's availability will arrive when Seattle releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Cook rushed the ball 20 times for 70 yards in Saturday's 24-22 win over the Chargers. He also lost a fumble and was not targeted.

On the surface, Cook's stat line isn't all that concerning as he continued to dominate work out of the Buffalo backfield. However, he saw zero targets for only the second time this season and for the first time since Week 6. Cook also lost out on red-zone work to both Leonard Fournette and Josh Allen on two separate drives, a concerning trend for his potential to score touchdowns in the final two weeks of the regular season, though it's worth noting that Cook hasn't always been used as a clear goal-line back this season and the Bills have looked to several different players from in close all season, including backup Latavius Murray. Cook will still have a safe floor as Buffalo's lead back, but it will be difficult for him to replicate his stellar recent performances with the usage that he saw in Saturday's win. His fumbling issues also merit watching, as he had one key turnover Saturday and almost lost another one earlier in the contest.

Ekeler rushed 15 times for 63 yards and caught three of four targets for 21 yards in Saturday's 24-22 loss to the Bills.

Ekeler saw his role reduced to single-digit touches in last week's loss to the Raiders, but his role was quickly restored by interim head coach Giff Smith on Saturday after Brandon Staley was let go last week. Ekeler responded with one of his better performances in what has been a down year affected by injury. The 28-year-old finished with a per-carry average above 4.0 yards for just the third time in 11 attempts since returning from a high-ankle sprain back in Week 6. Two of the three have come over the star tailback's last three contests, which could be the product of his ankle returning to full health in recent weeks. Ekeler's improved play coupled with a high touch count make him a plus fantasy play next Sunday against Denver.

Warren rushed eight times for 24 yards and caught five of six targets for 30 yards in Saturday's 34-11 win over the Bengals.

Najee Harris worked as Pittsburgh's primary option on the ground, rushing 19 times for 78 yards and a touchdown, but Warren caught five passes for a second consecutive game while Harris went without a target Saturday. Warren has reached 50 rushing yards only five times in 15 games, but his steady involvement as a pass catcher gives Warren a respectable PPR floor for a Week 17 matchup with the Seahawks.

Harris rushed 19 times for 78 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 34-11 win over the Bengals. He wasn't targeted in the passing game.

Harris powered in a three-yard touchdown in the second quarter, raising his season rushing touchdown total to five. He had a season-high 99 rushing yards and scored against the Bengals back in Week 12, so two of Harris' three highest yardage totals on the ground this season have come against the Bengals. Harris is averaging only 3.7 yards per carry against opponents other than Cincinnati, but he continues to handle the majority of rushing opportunities in Pittsburgh's backfield over Jaylen Warren (eight carries Saturday) heading into a Week 17 trip to Seattle.

Mixon rushed 11 times for 43 yards and caught two of four targets for seven yards in Saturday's 34-11 loss to the Steelers. He also caught a two-point conversion

Mixon was held to just four yards on five first-half carries as the Bengals took a 24-0 deficit into the locker room. Cincinnati largely abandoned the run in the second half due to the large deficit, though Mixon found a bit more running room and caught a two-point conversion after Cincinnati's lone touchdown in the third quarter. Mixon's 50 scrimmage yards marked his lowest total since Week 10, but backup Chase Brown had only 24 scrimmage yards, so Mixon remains in the lead role heading into a Week 17 trip to Kansas City.

Johnson (shoulder) is listed as inactive Saturday at the Chargers.

Johnson is sitting on the heels of his most productive game of the campaign Sunday against the Cowboys, when he notched nine carries for 54 yards and one catch (on one target) for four yards. He proceeded to be listed as limited on all three of the Bills' Week 16 practice reports due to a shoulder injury and headed into the weekend as questionable for Saturday's game. Buffalo signaled that Johnson may not be available when the team elevated Leonard Fournette earlier Saturday, and that has come to pass. As a result, Fournette and Latavius Murray will be the options to spell starting running back James Cook this week.

The Jets elevated Bawden to their active roster Saturday, Ethan Greenberg of the team's official site reports.

After letting Bawden go Wednesday, New York decided to bring him back on its practice squad Friday, and the fullback has since been elevated to the team's active roster. The 27-year-old has appeared in all 14 of the Jets' games thus far, tallying 17 yards from scrimmage on four touches and playing 266 snaps on special teams.