NFL Player News

Coach Kyle Shanahan relayed that Mitchell (knee) didn't practice Friday due to an illness, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Shanahan hinted Monday that a return to practice for Mitchell was possible before week's end, which would have opened his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. Instead, Mitchell has caught the bug that's impacted a few 49ers this week, thus delaying his first on-field work since spraining his MCL on Nov. 27. Assuming he's designated for return from IR next week, he'll have a chance to play Week 18 against the Cardinals, but more realistically the team is aiming to have him available for the postseason as a backfield option behind Christian McCaffrey.

Ekeler (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Rams after practicing fully Friday.

Ekeler logged limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday, but the running back's return to a full session Friday paves the way for him to face the Rams on Sunday. Assuming no in-game setbacks, Ekeler -- who has logged a total of 16 TDs in 15 games to date -- should see enough carries and targets Week 17 to continue to maintain fantasy relevance as the Chargers' clear-cut top backfield option.

Dallas (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jets, Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle reports.

Dallas returned from a two-game absence last week and caught six passes for 32 yards in a 24-10 loss to the Chiefs. He's unlikely to see that many targets even if he handles passing downs again, though there is a degree of opportunity with fellow Seattle running backs Kenneth Walker (ankle) and Travis Homer (ankle) listed as questionable. Walker, at least, is expected to play, and he figures to dominate carries again so long as he avoids setbacks with his ankle.

Mason (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mason suited up with the hamstring injury last week against Washington but only played special teams while Tyrion Davis-Price operated as the No. 2 running back behind Christian McCaffrey. With Mason now off the injury report, a return to the No. 2 role is possible.

Ogunbowale (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Jaguars.

Ogunbowale showed up on the Texans' injury report Thursday as limited by a knee issue and maintained that activity level and listing to wrap up Week 17 prep. If he avoids inactive status Sunday, he'll continue to work behind Royce Freeman as the team's No. 2 running back with Dameon Pierce (ankle) out for the season, which so far has resulted in 16 carries for 42yards and no targets over the last two games.

McCaffrey (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

McCaffrey has been playing through the knee injury for about a month and nonetheless handled at least 16 touches and 70 percent of offensive snaps in each of the past four games. The Niners have been cautious with his workload late in games when ahead by multiple scores, but they've otherwise given McCaffrey all the work he can handle, including 32 touches just two weeks ago in a 21-13 win over Seattle. The matchup this weekend bodes well for his efficiency, even if he does lose some carries to Jordan Mason (hamstring) and/or Tyrion Davis-Price.

Washington (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Washington has been unable to practice over the last three weeks due to a migraine, Terrin Waack of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. It's unclear whether the running back will be able to suit up for the Saints' regular-season finale in Week 18.

Walker (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle reports.

Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune suggests Walker and WR Tyler Lockett (questionable, hand) both are likely to play with the Seahawks battling for a wild-card spot, though it is possible neither is at his best. Walker played through the same ankle injury last week and took 28 touches for 105 yards from scrimmage in a loss to the Chiefs, so he figures to give it another go ahead of Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Stevenson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

It'd be a surprise if Stevenson sat out Sunday's game, though his status still is worth tracking ahead of New England's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Assuming he's able to play, Stevenson would figure to continue to handle a key role in the Patriots' Week 17 backfield, though he could lose some touches to Damien Harris (thigh/personal), who is set to return to from a four-game absence this weekend.

Conner (illness) returned to practice Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

His return as a full participant after back-to-back missed practices sets Conner up for another large workload, though at some point the Cardinals might consider giving their backups some playing time with a playoff berth out of the equation. Conner topped 90 percent snap share in four of the past five games, and he should get plenty of touches Sunday in Atlanta even if he fails to match that number again.