NFL Player News

Edwards is expected to be thrust into a larger role in the Baltimore backfield Sunday against the Bengals with J.K. Dobbins expected to be rested for the Week 18 contest, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Even though it has the chance to host a playoff game next week with a win over Cincinnati, a Chargers loss to the Broncos and a favorable coin flip, Baltimore won't risk exposing Dobbins, its top running back, to a potential injury in advance of the postseason. With Dobbins having taken the lead role out of the backfield since being activated from injured reserve Week 14, Edwards has faded from the game plan. He saw a season-low three carries in last week's loss to the Steelers, with head coach John Harbaugh acknowledging afterward that he had "no excuse" for Edwards' reduced role. Dobbins' absence for Week 18 will allow Harbaugh to get Edwards more involved as the Ravens' top option on the ground, while Justice Hill and Kenyan Drake likely handle most of the passing-down and change-of-pace work.

The Ravens are expected to hold Dobbins out for rest purposes in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bengals, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Though Dobbins doesn't carry an injury designation for the contest, the Ravens are inclined to err on the side of caution with the running back, who returned from injured reserve Week 14 and has logged double-digit carries in each of the team's subsequent four games. Dobbins should take back the lead role out of the backfield during the wild-card round of the playoffs, but in his expected absence for Week 18, Gus Edwards is in line to serve as the Ravens' top option on the ground. Meanwhile, Justice Hill and Kenyan Drake should re-enter the mix for change-of-pace roles behind Edwards.

Etienne rushed the ball seven times for 17 yards in Saturday's 20-16 win over the Titans. He added two receptions for 17 yards.

Etienne led the Jaguars backfield in rushing attempts, though he still saw very limited volume. The stout Tennessee defensive line limited his efficiency, as his longest rush of the day went for seven yards and he averaged only 2.4 yards per attempt. Etienne closes the regular season with 1,125 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his first healthy campaign in the NFL. He'll lead the Jacksonville backfield on a postseason run.

Henry rushed the ball 30 times for 109 yards in Saturday's 20-16 loss to the Jaguars. He added one reception for 19 yards.

As expected, Henry was the focal point of the Tennessee offense, and he tallied his highest carry total since Week 8. He wasn't particularly efficient, but he helped the Titans maintain a lead for the majority of the game. Henry also topped 100 rushing yards for the fourth consecutive contest, which brought his yardage total on the campaign to 1,538. Also important for fantasy purposes, Henry racked up a career-high 33 receptions across 16 games. He'll return to Tennessee in 2023 and is likely to remain the driving force behind the offense.

Pacheco rushed the ball eight times for 64 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 31-13 win over the Raiders.

Pacheco paced the Chiefs in rushing yards, primarily thanks to a 31-yard scamper early in the fourth quarter. He also tallied his fifth rushing touchdown of the season on a one-yard plunge to cap the same offensive possession. Pacheco ends his rookie season having racked up 170 rushing attempts and 830 yards, though it remains to be seen how much he is trusted by the team during the postseason.

Jones rushed the ball 10 times for 45 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 31-13 win over the Raiders.

Jones saw his heaviest involvement in the Kansas City offense of the season, as he out-carried both Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco. He was fairly efficient with his opportunity, highlighted by a long gain of 13 yards. Jones also found the end zone for the first time this season as he tallied a two-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) looking likely to return for the postseason, Jones could find himself as a healthy scratch moving forward.

Jacobs rushed the ball 17 times for 45 yards in Saturday's 31-13 loss to the Chiefs. He added two receptions for five yards.

Jacobs accounted for 17 of 18 carries by Las Vegas running backs, but he struggled to find room to run. His longest gain of the day went for 12 yards, and he managed only 2.6 yards per carry. Jacobs ends the season with 1,653 rushing yards, which will likely be good enough to lead the league. He also chipped in 53 receptions for 400 yards while finding the end zone a total of 12 times. Jacobs is set to become a free agent and will be one of the top available running backs.

The Lions elevated Jefferson from the practice squad Saturday for Sunday's game against the Packers.

Jefferson will be brought up from the practice squad for the first time this season ahead of Sunday's must-win regular-season finale. The second-year running back recorded 15 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns across seven games with Detroit in 2021, though he's yet to make an appearance this season. Expect Jefferson to slot into a reserve/special-teams role behind backup running backs Justin Jackson and Craig Reynolds.

The Cardinals elevated Williams from the practice squad Saturday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Williams is in line to make his season debut after joining Arizona's practice squad in mid-October. Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury already said Friday that Corey Clement and Keaontay Ingram would be in line for increased roles Week 18 after top running back James Conner (shin/ankle) was ruled out. Therefore, it's likely Williams will serve as the team's third-string running back in this relatively meaningless regular-season finale for Arizona, as the team was eliminated from the 2022 playoffs multiple weeks ago.

Homer (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle reports.

Homer wasn't expected to play Week 18, but this move now means that the 24-year-old wouldn't be able to return unless the Seahawks make it to the Super Bowl. Expect Kenneth Walker and DeeJay Dallas to carry the load in a Week 18 matchup against the Rams.