NFL Player News

With fellow running back Tony Pollard (thigh) not expected to play in Week 17 against Tennessee, the Cowboys elevated Ollison from the practice squad to the active roster Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

With Pollard likely unavailable due to a thigh issue, Ollison is now in line to operate as Dallas' No. 3 backfield option behind Ezekiel Elliott and Malik Davis in Thursday's matchup against the Titans. In the 26-year-old's two game appearances this season, he's played a combined two offensive snaps without a logging a carry.

Gibson (knee/foot) didn't take part in Thursday's practice, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Gibson has opened Week 17 with back-to-back absences from practice due to knee and foot injuries, giving him just one more opportunity to get some on-field work before the Commanders potentially make a ruling on his availability ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns. If Gibson is limited or sidelined this weekend, rookie Brian Robinson likely would take on the lion's share of the backfield work for Washington, with Jonathan Williams on hand for anything that lingers.

Sanders (knee) took part in practice Thursday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Sanders was a listed DNP for Wednesday's walk-through session due to a knee injury, but the issue won't keep him off the field back-to-back days. Thursday's practice report will unveil whether he'll go down as a full or limited participant.

Conner (illness) wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Conner missed Wednesday's walk-through session due to an illness, so what the running back is able to at Friday's practice will added further context in terms of his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Falcons. Next up for the Cardinals' backfield touches if Conner is limited or out versus Atlanta are Keaontay Ingram and Corey Clement.

Elliott is in line to serve as the Cowboys' undisputed No. 1 back in Thursday's game against the Titans with Tony Pollard (thigh) listed as questionable but set to be inactive for the contest, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Pollard won't be officially ruled out for the contest until Dallas releases its inactive list 90 minutes before the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but his absence frees up Elliott for more work after he handled no more than 52 percent of the Cowboys' snaps on offense in any of his six appearances since returning Week 11 from a two-game absence due to a right knee injury. That being said, Dallas enters Thursday's game as heavy favorites over a Titans squad that will be starting its third-string quarterback (Joshua Dobbs) and resting or holding out several key players with injuries, so it's possible that Elliott ends up sitting for a large portion of the second half if the Cowboys have mounted a sizable lead. Even if that comes to fruition, Elliott would likely have some role in Dallas amassing its lead, so he profiles as a stronger option than usual in fantasy lineups with Pollard out of the equation.

Harris (thigh) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Harris logged a limited practice Wednesday, so his reported absence Thursday is notable. What he's able to do Friday will be pivotal with regard to his chances of playing Sunday against the Dolphins, but if Harris remains sidelined this weekend, Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle, limited Wednesday) would presumably be in line to continue to lead the Patriots' backfield Week 17.

Pollard (thigh) remains listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Titans, but the Cowboys plan to make him inactive for the Week 17 contest, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported earlier Thursday that Pollard could be an option to play against the Titans if he fared better than anticipated in a pregame workout, but the Cowboys have apparently already decided to err on the side of caution and will ultimately hold the running back out for the first time this season. He won't be officially ruled out for the contest until the Cowboys release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but Pollard's anticipated absence leaves Ezekiel Elliott as the clear-cut top option out of the backfield. Given that the Cowboys are heavy road favorites for a game in which the Titans are resting or holding out several key players due to injury, it's possible that Elliott ends up seeing a lighter workload in his own right if Dallas turns the game into a blowout by halftime or the third quarter. In that scenario, No. 2 back Malik Davis would be in store for a pronounced role behind Elliott.

Gibson (knee/foot) wasn't present for Thursday's practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Gibson thus appears set to be listed as a non-participant for the second practice in a row, clouding his status for Sunday's game against the Browns. If Gibson is sidelined Week 17, Brian Robinson would have an even clearer path than usual to handling the bulk of the carries out of the backfield, while perhaps benefiting from more work on passing downs, too. Jonathan Williams would step in as the Commanders' No. 2 running back in place of Gibson.

Pollard (thigh), who is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Titans, will have to prove his health in pregame workouts to avoid being inactive, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Pollard's status may thus not be made official until Dallas' inactive list is released 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. Team owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday that Pollard "looks good for the game," but the explosive running back wasn't able to practice in any capacity Monday through Wednesday due to a thigh issue. If Pollard ultimately can't go Thursday, Ezekiel Elliott could be in line for an increased role atop the Cowboys' backfield depth chart, with Malik Davis mixing in behind him.

Henry (hip), who is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against the Cowboys, is not expected to suit up, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Henry is listed as doubtful despite coming off back-to-back limited practices, and it appears that Hassan Haskins and Julius Chestnut will be tasked with leading Tennessee's backfield versus Dallas' stout defensive front. The outcome of Thursday's contest won't impact the Titans' chances of attaining the AFC South crown, so Henry's focus may well simply be making sure he's at 100 percent form for Week 18's pivotal divisional matchup against the Jaguars. Official word on Henry's status will come prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.