NFL Player News

Evans (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game at Tennessee, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

With regular starting running back Joe Mixon in concussion protocol, Evans could be in line to serve as Cincinnati's primary backup in Week 12, but he'll need to make it onto the field himself first. Getting onto the practice field Wednesday is a good start, though a full session Thursday or Friday would help to solidify his status ahead of Sunday.

Jones (shin/glute) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jones has been tending to a lower left leg injury since a Week 9 loss to the Lions, and now a glute issue has been tacked on to his name on the first Week 12 practice report. Still, he logged a typical snap count the past two games en route to 44 touches for 216 yards and one rushing score. Assuming he gets cleared for Sunday's contest at Philadelphia, Jones should continue to receive the larger share of the backfield reps ahead of AJ Dillon, who tallied 20 touches for 88 total yards and no scores in that same two-game sample.

Edwards (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Edwards was a limited practice participant all last week before ultimately missing a second straight game despite having a bye week in between. Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill took most of the backfield snaps in a win over the Panthers last weekend, and Drake likely will get another start if Edwards isn't ready to play this Sunday in Jacksonville.

Mixon (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Mixon got concussed during the second quarter of Sunday's win over the Steelers and unsurprisingly wasn't able to practice three days later. Samaje Perine scored three receiving touchdowns in the win and figures to get most of the backfield snaps and touches if Mixon isn't active this Sunday against Tennessee. The Bengals also have Chris Evans (knee) and Trayveon Williams as possible options, though neither has seen much work on offense in 2022.

Williams is likely in line for more playing time in the Rams backfield after the team waived Darrell Henderson on Tuesday, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Even before Henderson's departure, Williams had already staked a claim to a steady role in the past two weeks, which coincided with the rookie's return from a stint on injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain. In losses to the Cardinals and Saints, Williams played a total of 50 snaps, topping both Henderson (38) and Cam Akers (34) in that regard. The rookie has flashed promise with some lengthy gains in limited rushing attempts while also showing off his receiving chops with four catches for 38 yards. Heading into Sunday's game in Kansas City, the Rams could lean on a two-man running back committee featuring Akers as the lead back after he put up a solid 61 rushing yards on just 14 attempts Week 11. However, with the Rams likely to be playing from behind often for the remainder of the season, Williams may be called on for his pass-catching abilities more often than not and may actually be the more desirable back to roster in fantasy leagues.

Akers appears set to take over as the top option in the Los Angeles backfield after the team waived Darrell Henderson on Tuesday, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

The shocking release of Henderson, who was the Rams' leading rusher with a paltry 283 yards, leaves Akers and rookie Kyren Williams as the only two running backs on the 53-man roster. Ronnie Rivers will likely be summoned from the practice squad to provide another body at the position for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, but look for both Akers and Williams to outpace him in work. Akers has averaged a miserable 3.1 yards per carry this season, but he's at least coming off a solid showing in the Rams' 27-20 loss to the Saints in Week 11, when he gained 61 yards on 14 attempts. With Henderson set to be a free agent at season's end, the Rams have chosen to see what they have in the two backs that will still be on the roster next season, with Williams now likely serving as a third-down specialist while Akers takes hold of lead-back duties. The Rams' new-look running back room faces a tough task in Week 12, taking on a Chiefs squad that has allowed just 100.6 rushing yards per game this season.

Elliott (knee) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game against the Giants, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

After opening Week 12 prep with two straight limited listings on Cowboys injury reports, Elliott logged a full practice session Wednesday, effectively clearing him to play Thursday. In his return from a two-game absence this past Sunday at Minnesota, Elliott started but took on a smaller snap count (21) than fellow running back Tony Pollard (39). Both players got in on the act in a 40-3 win, but Elliott's 16 touches went for 47 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns, while Pollard's 21 touches resulted in 189 total yards and two receiving scores. The breakdown of playing time could tilt back in Elliott's favor a bit more Thursday, though Pollard's excellent production in recent weeks may make it difficult for the Cowboys to take him off the field.

The Chiefs placed Edwards-Helaire (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Edwards-Helaire will miss a minimum of four games while he receovers from a high ankle sprain, with Week 16 against Seattle representing the earliest possible date for a return. Isiah Pacheco had supplanted him in the Kansas City backfield in recent weeks anyway, but Edwards-Helaire still had a role off the bench before injuring his ankle in the second quarter of Sunday's win over the Chargers. It'll be Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon leading the way for the Chiefs the next month, and Ronald Jones may also get some chances for the first time all year.

Edwards (hamstring/knee) was present for practice Wednesday, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Edwards was a limited participant at practice throughout last week before sitting out Sunday's win over the Panthers, but Shaffer notes that the Ravens are hopeful the running back can return to action this weekend against the Jaguars. In Edwards' absence last week, Kenyan Drake (10 carries for 46 yards) and Justice Hill (seven carries for 30 yards) handled the bulk of the work out of the backfield.

Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Jones has a "legitimate chance" to suit up Sunday versus the Rams, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Jones has been a healthy scratch the entire regular season, but with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) now headed to injured reserve, Jones could finally get a chance to suit up for Kansas City. In the event that Jones is active Week 12, he'll serve in a depth role behind Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon.