NFL Player News

The Steelers are optimistic Harris (knee) will play Thursday against the Patriots, despite him being listed as questionable for the contest after he was a non-participant in practices Tuesday and Wednesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Harris didn't shown any sign of injury in the Steelers' 24-10 loss to the Cardinals this past Sunday, with the running back taking 18 touches for 77 yards while handling his largest snap share (59 percent) of the season. He's taken between 49 and 59 percent of snaps every week this season -- and has never missed a game since entering the NFL in 2021 -- but possibilities for Week 14 include him being active in a smaller role than usual. Fantasy managers should prepare for all outcomes, including the possibility that Harris isn't available when Pittsburgh releases its inactive list 90 minutes before Thursday's 8:15 p.m. kickoff. In such a scenario, Jaylen Warren would be in line for his largest workload of the season after splitting work fairly evenly with Harris in recent weeks. Behind the Harris-Warren duo, Pittsburgh has Anthony McFarland and Godwin Igwebuike on its roster as backfield depth.

Miller (ankle) was a non-participant during practice Wednesday, Brooke Kirchhofer of NewOrleans.football reports.

Miller hasn't played or practiced since suffering a sprained ankle in the Saints' Week 9 win over the Bears. Considering the amount of time the rookie has missed, he'll likely need to get back on the field as a full participant by Friday in order to have a chance at playing Sunday against the Panthers.

Johnson was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury.

Lead back Travis Etienne (ribs) also was a limited participant, two days after playing through his injury and taking 15 touches for 79 yards and a touchdown while playing 62 percent of snaps on offense in a 34-31 overtime loss to Cincinnati. Johnson had six touches for 10 yards while playing 36 percent of snaps in the loss, and he's likely looking at a similar role this Sunday against the Browns, though the Jaguars may feature their backs more than usual with wideout Christian Kirk (groin) already ruled out and quarterback Trevor Lawrence (ankle) quite possibly sidelined as well. A limited practice to start Week 14 prep suggests Johnson is on track to play, at least.

McKinnon (groin) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

McKinnon also was limited last Thursday and Friday before he ended up missing Sunday's loss to the Packers. Isiah Pacheco, who has taken on more passing-down work in McKinnon's absence, was held out of practice Wednesday due to a shoulder contusion. The injury may not be something that affects Pacheco's availability for a matchup with the Bills this Sunday, but if it ends up being more serious than suspected, McKinnon could return to action this weekend with a larger-than-usual role. Granted, the more likely scenarios are McKinnon either returning to his usual role as a passing-down specialist or missing a third straight game.

Brown (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimate, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Brown will look to return to full practice participation Thursday or Friday to clear up any concern about his availability for Sunday's game against the Colts. The running back missed four games while on injured reserve due to the hamstring issue, but he was reinstated ahead of Week 12 and has played in Cincinnati's last two games. He saw his biggest workload to date in this past Monday's 34-31 overtime win over Jacksonville, carrying nine times for 61 yards. Assuming the rookie fifth-round pick's listed limitations Wednesday were maintenance-related rather than the result of a setback, Brown should continue to have a role in Cincinnati's backfield rotation against Indianapolis on the heels of his strong showing in Week 13.

Etienne (ribs) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Etienne played through the same injury Monday against Cincinnati, taking 15 touches for 79 yards and a touchdown in a game that saw quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffer a high-ankle sprain. The Jaguars haven't ruled Lawrence out for Sunday's game against Cleveland, but that could end up happening later in the week. If so, Etienne might be leaned on even more than usual, albeit within the context of a weaker-than-usual offense that's missing Lawrence, wideout Christian Kirk (core) and potentially left tackle Walker Little (hamstring).

Swift (undisclosed) wasn't listed on the Eagles' first Week 14 injury report Wednesday.

Swift was on the receiving end of a big hit at the tail end of this past Sunday's loss to the 49ers, visiting the sideline tent for a spell before going to the locker room. The reason for his departure wasn't divulged, but the fact that he didn't have any restrictions at Wednesday's walk-through session suggests he's good to go for this Sunday's game against the Cowboys. Swift is coming off his worst performance of the season as the Eagles' No. 1 back, having combined for just 20 yards from scrimmage on eight touches Week 13.

Hall missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The Jets listed Hall on their Week 13 report with a hamstring injury, but after he missed a Wednesday practice, he returned to full participation by Friday and ended up handling his normal workload in a loss to the Falcons after officially being listed as questionable heading into the contest. It isn't yet clear if the ankle injury this week represents more of a threat to Hall's availability for this Sunday's game against the Texans. If Hall is unable to go against Houston, Dalvin Cook would be in store for a large role as the Jets' starting running back.

Harris (knee) didn't practice Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Patriots, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Harris also sat out Tuesday's walk-through session, so he hasn't practiced at all leading into Thursday's game. It's possible that his absences were precautionary on a short week, but there's legitimate doubt over Harris' availability, which will be cleared up one way or another when Pittsburgh releases its inactive list 90 minutes before Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. If Harris is unavailable or limited Thursday, Jaylen Warren would likely take on a larger workload, with Godwin Igwebuike or Anthony McFarland possibly mixing in behind him.

Stevenson (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game at Pittsburgh.

Stevenson was heating up the past few weeks despite the rest of New England's offense struggling more than ever, but he's now in danger of missing multiple games after a high-ankle sprain forced him out of Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers late in the first quarter. He missed the rest of the game and didn't practice at all during the short week, likely leaving Ezekiel Elliott to handle a huge role in the backfield Thursday after playing 93 percent of snaps over the final three quarters this past Sunday. Ty Montgomery and JaMycal Hasty are the depth options in the backfield, with both seemingly more likely to take passing-down snaps than carries. Stevenson's next chance to play will come Week 15 against the Chiefs on Dec. 17.