NFL Player News

The Colts have optimism that Taylor (thumb) could return to action for the team's Week 16 game Dec. 24 against the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Taylor has already been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Steelers, but Rapoport notes that it's possible the running back returns to action Week 16 following a three-game absence. Added context on that front will arrive once the Colts begin posting injury reports next week, but in the meantime, Zack Moss will continue to lead the team's backfield versus Pittsburgh.

Prince was elevated from the practice squad by the Chiefs on Saturday.

The running back was reverted to the practice squad Monday after playing no offensive snaps in Kansas City's Week 14 loss to Buffalo despite the absence of lead running back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder). Prince will get another chance to break into the backfield rotation of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon on Sunday against the Patriots.

The Raiders reverted Johnson to the practice squad Friday.

Johnson saw extended playing time in Thursday's blowout win over the Chargers as he played 25 snaps -- 15 on offense and 10 on special teams -- without recording a stat. It was his second time being called up since joining the Raiders' practice squad Nov. 21.

Miler (ankle) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Giants, Brooke Kirchhofer of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Miler continues to nurse an ankle injury and will miss his fifth straight game. He still isn't practicing, so it's unclear how much progress he's made toward a return. Per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, Miller is expected to play again this season, but that isn't likely to happen Week 16 given that New Orleans will be on a short week with a Thursday night contest against the Rams.

Strong (illness) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game versus the Bears, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Strong did not participate at practice Thursday due to an illness, but he was able to manage a full practice Friday and is set to play Sunday. He's unlikely to see more than a couple carries as long as Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt remain available.

Gibson and Chris Rodriguez will lead Washington's backfield Sunday against the Rams with Brian Robinson (hamstring) ruled out, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.

Gibson figures to play more than usual, though it's hard to pinpoint the extent of his role expansion given that Rodriguez also could get a bunch of the carries that normally go to Robinson. A look back at Week 13 isn't especially helpful, considering the Commanders had just 21 snaps in the second half of their blowout loss to Miami after losing Robinson to the hamstring injury shortly before halftime. Gibson did get 12 of the first 17 snaps in that second half before Rodriguez closed out the game with carries on each of Washington's final four plays. This might be a multi-game situation given that Robinson wasn't able to practice at all coming out of a Week 14 bye.

Demercado (neck) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Demercado thus will benefit from a Week 14 bye and not miss a game as a result of the neck injury that he sustained Week 13 at Pittsburgh. With a full practice under his belt Friday as well, he'll continue to be one of the options out of the backfield alongside Michael Carter behind starter James Conner.

Mitchell (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Jordan Mason will replace Mitchell as Christian McCaffrey's backup for a second straight game. It's a role that comes with minimal playing time apart from blowout situations, though Mason did score a three-yard TD against the Seahawks last week after McCaffrey ripped off a 72-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and needed a breather. Mason played just five snaps thereafter and finished with five touches for 26 yards and the touchdown.

Achane (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets after logging a limited practice Friday, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

After having been estimated as a non-participant Wednesday and Thursday, Achane was able to work in a limited fashion Friday, which gives him a chance to suit up this weekend. Ideally, added context regarding Achane's Week 15 status will arrive as Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, but if he ends up limited or out versus New York, Jeff Wilson would be in line to log added backfield work behind Raheem Mostert (knee).

Etienne (ribs) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Etienne has been managing a rib injury since getting banged up Week 12, but unlike the last two weeks when was deemed questionable on the Jaguars' final injury reports, the running back's status for this Sunday's game isn't in question. In the team's 31-27 loss to the Browns in Week 14, Etienne carried 14 times for 35 yards and a TD and added four catches for 37 yards, while logging 59 of a possible 76 snaps. This weekend, he'll take aim at a Ravens defense that Kyren Williams ran for 114 yards on (via 25 carries) in Baltimore's 37-31 overtime win over the Rams last Sunday.