NFL Player News
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Najee Harris RB | LAC
Steelers' Najee Harris: Questionable for Thursday night
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.
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Rhamondre Stevenson RB | NE
Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Ruled out for Thursday
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.
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Jonathan Taylor RB | IND
Colts' Jonathan Taylor: Sits out Wednesday's practice
Taylor (thumb) is listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.
Taylor is unlikely to practice or play this week, after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Sunday that the running back was likely facing a 3-to-5-week recovery after undergoing thumb surgery Nov. 29. Zack Moss likely will get a large workload this Sunday against the Bengals after playing 94 percent of the snaps on offense in an overtime win over the Titans in Week 13.
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Rico Dowdle RB | PIT
Cowboys' Rico Dowdle: Limited Wednesday
Dowdle (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
For a fourth consecutive week, Dowdle is tending to an ankle issue, but he at least is beginning Week 14 prep with a cap on his practice reps rather than sitting out Wednesday's session entirely. Over the last three games, he's mustered just 3.1 yards on his 16 carries and has hauled in all four targets for 19 yards and a touchdown. A similar role will be in store for Dowdle in Sunday's game against the Eagles as long as the Cowboys' lead runner, Tony Pollard, is healthy.
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SaRodorick Thompson RB | LAR
SaRodorick Thompson: Headed back to the Northwest
Thompson signed with the Seahawks' practice squad Wednesday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.
Thompson spent time with Seattle earlier this season and suited up in Week 7 against the Cardinal. He played two snaps on offense but not touch the ball. He'll now get another opportunity with the franchise as Kenneth Walker (oblique) and Zach Charbonnet (ankle) are both dealing with injuries.
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D'Onta Foreman RB | CLE
Bears' D'Onta Foreman: Puts ankle injury behind him
Foreman (ankle) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.
Foreman sat out the Week 12 win over Minnesota after injuring his ankle in Week 11 against Detroit, but Chicago's Week 13 bye has afforded the running back enough time to regain health. Prior to going down with the injury, Foreman had been splitting backfield reps with Khalil Herbert in the game against the Lions. Rookie Roschon Johnson then ended up pacing the backfield in touches in Week 12, making it difficult to predict how the reps may be divvied up among Foreman, Herbert and Johnson in the rematch with Detroit this Sunday.
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Elijah Mitchell RB | PHI
49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Tending to knee issue
Mitchell won't take part in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
Mitchell has routinely missed time due to knee issues in his two-plus years as a pro, but he's been able to string together seven consecutive appearances dating back to Week 6. Overall, he's totaled 28 carries and one catch (on two targets) during that span while Christian McCaffrey continues to handle the bulk of the reps afforded the 49ers backfield. As a result, even if he's able to suit up Sunday against the Seahawks, Mitchell likely won't contribute much in the box score.
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Kareem Hunt RB | KC
Browns' Kareem Hunt: Not at practice
Hunt (groin) won't practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Hunt was listed with the same groin issue on the Browns' Week 13 injury report, but he ended up taking a team-high 12 carries for 48 yards in the 36-19 loss to Los Angeles this past Sunday. A return to practice Thursday would put him on track to play in this Sunday's game against Jacksonville, though perhaps in a secondary role off the bench behind inconsistent lead back Jerome Ford.
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Godwin Igwebuike RB | PIT
Steelers' Godwin Igwebuike: No offensive snaps in Week 13
Igwebuike played all 12 of his snaps on special teams in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Cardinals.
Igwebuike has been active ahead of Anthony McFarland as the Steelers' No. 3 running back for both of the past two games, but he hasn't taken any snaps on offense in either contest. The 29-year-old will likely continue to see most of his time on special teams, where he contributes on coverage units and as the team's kickoff returner.
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Isiah Pacheco RB | DET
Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Bothered by shoulder contusion
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Pacheco will be held out Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder contusion, Sports Radio 810 WHB Kansas City reports.
Pacheco's injury doesn't sound like one that typically causes players to miss games, but fantasy managers should nonetheless track his practice participation throughout the week. He took on a larger role on passing downs with Jerick McKinnon (groin) out the past two games, though Pacheco's final snap share (70 percent) in a loss to the Packers this past Sunday was affected by a fourth-quarter ejection for throwing a punch. He still finished with his second-largest snap share of the season -- behind the 78 percent share he handled in a Week 12 win over Las Vegas -- and he ended with 21 touches for 123 yards and a touchdowns. Pacheco could cede some work on passing downs if McKinnon is back for this Sunday's game against the Bills, but the game's projected high scoring total makes Pacheco a solid option in fantasy lineup this week, assuming he's able to overcome his shoulder issue.