NFL Player News

Harris (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Harris also sat out last Wednesday's practice with a knee issue before returning to full practices Thursday and Friday. With no reported setbacks in this past Saturday's win over the Bengals -- a game in which the running back logged a season-high-tying 19 carries -- Harris' lack of participation to begin Week 17 prep could well be maintenance-related. The expectation is that Harris will be ready to go for Sunday's game in Seattle.

Abanikanda (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Browns.

The rookie running back was limited in practice all week. He's carried the ball 16 times over the last three weeks, generating 50 yards and no touchdowns while catching two passes for 11 scoreless yards in that span. If Abanikanda is forced to sit out Thursday, Dalvin Cook would move back into the No. 2 role out of the backfield behind Breece Hall.

Dowdle (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

One day removed from being limited at Tuesday's walkthrough, Dowdle was held out of drills entirely. Thus, he'll have only more chance to practice this week before the Cowboys potentially make a ruling on his status for Saturday's game against the Lions.

Jacobs (quadricep) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

After not taking part in Wednesday's walk-through session, Jacobs now has two more chances to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts. If Jacobs remains sidelined for a third straight game this weekend, Zamir White would once again be in line to lead the Las Vegas backfield.

Dillon (thumb) was a limited participant at Wednesday's walkthrough.

The Packers backfield duo of Dillon and Aaron Jones (knee/finger) continue to operate with practice restrictions as the team dives into Week 17 prep. In his return from a one-game absence this past Sunday at Carolina, Dillon received 12 snaps on offense, which resulted in seven carries for 12 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Jones had 22 touches for 135 yards from scrimmage on a 52 percent snap share. Assuming both players are able to suit up Sunday in Minnesota, Dillon is expected to serve as merely a complementary piece to Jones.

Elliott is expected to remain the Patriots' lead back for the final two games of the season after New England placed Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday.

While Stevenson has been sidelined for each of the previous three games, Elliott has handled snap shares exceeding at least 83 percent on every occasion while averaging 15.0 carries for 40.0 yards and 7.0 catches for 42.0 yards and scoring two touchdowns across those contests. Though his 2.7 yards per carry average in those three games is far from efficient, Elliott is still providing a huge boost for fantasy managers down the stretch thanks to his heavy volume of touches, particularly in the passing game. With Stevenson now ruled out for Weeks 17 and 18, Elliott should continue to stay busy this Sunday at Buffalo, though there's always some chance the Patriots give younger backs Kevin Harris or JaMycal Hasty more playing time while they're eliminated from playoff contention.

Mattison (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Mattison sat out Week 15 due to a right ankle sprain, but he was able to return to action this past Sunday against the Lions, when he turned two carries into minus-1 yard on five offensive snaps in the Vikings' 30-24 loss. Fellow running back Ty Chandler paced the Vikings backfield with 36 snaps on offense, but he managed just eight carries for 17 yards and one touchdown. As long as Mattison's health is compromised, he may continue to play second fiddle to Chandler down the stretch, assuming the former is active on game days. In the end, Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not Mattison enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's matchup with the Packers.

The Patriots placed Stevenson (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday.

With the Patriots eliminated from playoff contention, Stevenson -- who last played in Week 13 -- will be shut down for the final two games of the season as he continues his recovery from a right high-ankle sprain. Ezekiel Elliott is slated to lead the team's backfield in Weeks 17 and 18, with Kevin Harris serving as his top understudy and JaMycal Hasty on hand in reserve. Stevenson wraps up his third NFL season with 156 carries for 619 yards (4.0 average) and four touchdowns to go with 38 catches for 238 yards on 51 targets over his 12 appearances.

Rodriguez (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

While Brian Robinson (hamstring) was sidelined for a second game in a row in this past Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets, Rodriguez ran for 57 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after suffering an injury of his own. The rookie sported a walking boot after the game and was scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday, making his absence from practice Wednesday the furthest thing from a surprise. Robinson, meanwhile, returned to practice as a limited participant, potentially setting the stage for him to rejoin Antonio Gibson in the backfield as quarterback Jacoby Brissett prepares for his first start of the season.

Jones (knee/finger) was a limited participant at Wednesday's walkthrough, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Fellow running back AJ Dillon (thumb) also opened the week of practice with limitations. For the first time since Week 1, Jones looked like his usual dynamic self in this past Sunday's 33-30 win at Carolina, taking 21 carries for 127 yards and hauling in one of three targets for eight yards. Assuming he continues to suit up this Sunday in Minnesota, Jones could get more involvement in the passing game to go along with his heavy workload on the ground if one or more of the Green Bay wideouts listed on the the Week 17 injury report [Christian Watson (hamstring), Jayden Reed (toe/chest) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest/ankle)] aren't available to play.