NFL Player News

New Orleans could lean more heavily on the Kamara-led ground attack in Saturday's game against the Browns due to a forecast in Cleveland that includes frigid temperatures and sustained winds of almost 30 miles per hour, John DeShazier of the Saints' official site reports.

With 32 pass attempts per game, the Saints have already ranked in the bottom half of the league this season, but the poor weather and the absence of two key receivers in Chris Olave (hamstring) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) could prompt New Orleans to skew even more run-heavy than usual. Moreover, the Browns defense has proven to be more vulnerable against the run, as the unit surrenders 133.1 rushing yards per game, tied for the eighth-worst mark in the league. Coming off a 21-carry, 91-yard effort in the Week 15 win over the Falcons, Kamara should be busy again Saturday, as should Taysom Hill. Though he's listed as a tight end, Hill essentially served as the primary backup to Kamara last week, as he carried seven times for 30 yards in addition to throwing for 80 yards and a touchdown on two pass attempts.

Knight rushed six times for minus-2 yards and brought in his only target for 15 yards in the Jets' 19-3 loss to the Jaguars on Thursday night.

Knight paced the Jets' running backs in rush attempts, but that was largely irrelevant due to the sparse volume and the non-existent production it led to. Knight's brief moment of success came on his one reception, but he'll head into what is a favorable Week 17 road matchup against the Seahawks with 21 yards on 19 carries over his last two games. Although Knight had put in a full practice Wednesday despite dealing with an ankle issue, the extra time between Thursday and the game against Seattle should benefit the rookie's overall health.

Carter rushed twice for six yards and brought in all five targets for 44 yards in the Jets' 19-3 loss to the Jaguars on Thursday night.

The conventional Jets ground attack was an abject failure Thursday -- Carter, Zonovan Knight and Ty Johnson combined for 11 yards on 10 carries -- but Carter found a way to salvage his night somewhat with his work through the air. The second-year back paced the Jets in receptions and receiving yards, with both totals also serving as his second highest of the campaign. Given the general state of disarray the Jets' offense is in, it's difficult to predict if there will be a clear-cut early-down back between Carter and Knight in a Week 17 road matchup against the vulnerable Seahawks run defense a week from Sunday.

Etienne rushed 22 times for 83 yards and brought in all three targets for 29 yards in the Jaguars' 19-3 win over the Jets on Thursday night.

Etienne was given a robust workload with head coach Doug Pederson picking his spots against the Jets' talented pass defense. The second-year back responded in fine form, gaining consistent yardage on the ground and contributing through the air by equaling a season high in receptions. Etienne's carry total was his third highest of the season and most voluminous since Week 9, and he'll now have extra time to gear up for a critical Week 17 road divisional clash with the Texans' porous run defense a week from Sunday.

White (ankle) is considered questionable for Saturday's game against the Steelers, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

White opened Week 16 as a non-participant during practice due to an ankle injury, though it's unclear when or how this issue first arose. The rookie running back then logged back-to-back limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday, so he'll still have a chance to play against Pittsburgh despite this slightly short week to recover. White has yet to log more than three carries in a game this season, though his potential absence would likely vault Brandon Bolden into the Raiders' No. 3 running back role.

Robinson is inactive for Thursday's game against the Jets.

Robinson continues to be the odd man out, with Zonovan Knight and Michael Carter on track to lead the Jets' Week 16 backfield, while Ty Johnson is available in a reserve capacity.

Knight (ankle) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against the Jaguars.

Though Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site noted earlier in the week that Knight came out of a Week 15 loss to Detroit with an ankle issue, the running back wasn't listed on the team's first two Week 16 injury reports, before being listed as a full practice participant Wednesday and questionable for Thursday's contest. With Knight's active status confirmed, look for the 5-foot-10, 209-pounder to lead New York's ground game versus Jacksonville, with Michael Carter mixing in and Ty Johnson on hand in reserve.

Mason (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest versus the Commanders, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

A late-week addition to the 49ers' injury report, Mason relayed to David Lombardi of The Athletic on Thursday that his hamstring tightened up at Wednesday's practice, which resulted in him being removed from that session and ultimately going down as a limited participant to end Week 16 prep. If Mason isn't 100 percent or out Saturday, Tyrion Davis-Price and/or practice squad member Tevin Coleman would be the main candidates to get work behind the 49ers' No. 1 running back Christian McCaffrey.

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

The running back's ankle issue led to him being listed as questionable ahead of this past Sunday's loss to the Raiders, but Stevenson suited up and recorded 19 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown and two catches for minus-4 yards. Official confirmation of his Week 16 availability will arrive when inactives are posted in advance of Saturday's 1:00 ET kickoff, but as long as Stevenson is a go, he'll see his share of touches versus Cincinnati, though it's possible that the potential return of Damien Harris (thigh, questionable) could cut into his workload.

Harris (thigh) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Bengals, Evan Lazar of the Patriots official site reports.

Harris last saw game action in Week 12, but after having logged limited practices both last week and this week, the running back could rejoin the Patriots' backfield mix this weekend. Fellow running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) is also listed as questionable by the team, but given that he played through his ankle issue in Week 15 versus the Raiders, we'd be surprised if he didn't give it a go versus Cincinnati. In the event that both players are active, the time-share figures to tilt in Stevenson's favor following a 19/172/1 effort against Las Vegas.