NFL Player News

Vaughn may share running back reps with Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) during Sunday's wild-card contest against the Eagles after the Buccaneers activated the latter from injured reserve Saturday, Carmen Vitali of the team's official site reports.

Tampa Bay already ruled out Ronald Jones (ankle) for its postseason opener, and the team opted not to activate Leonard Fournette (hamstring) from IR on Saturday, meaning its top two options out of the backfield are unavailable. With Bernard back in the fold, he'll serve in at least a change-of-pace role, but Vaughn could be the preferred option on early downs, while Le'Veon Bell also is on hand. In 12 appearances this season, Vaughn racked up 36 carries for 180 yards and two touchdowns and also gathered in four of eight targets for 26 yards.

The Chiefs elevated Thompson to their active roster Saturday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Thompson joined Kansas City's practice squad Friday after spending the regular season on the Buccaneers' practice squad. He'll now join the Chiefs' active roster ahead of Sunday's wild-card matchup against Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old will provide additional depth in the backfield because Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) has been ruled out and Darrel Williams (toe) is questionable.

Ward (knee) is questionable for Monday's wild-card matchup against the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Ward was held out of practice Thursday and Friday, but he returned in a limited capacity Saturday. Chase Edmonds (ribs/toe) isn't on the injury report for Monday's contest, so Ward is unlikely to see significant work against the Rams, even if James Conner (ribs) is held out.

Edmonds (ribs/toe) doesn't have a designation for Monday's wild-card game at the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

After sitting out the Cardinals' Week 18 loss to the Seahawks due to rib and toe issues, Edmonds practiced Thursday through Saturday and even capped the week with a full session. Meanwhile, James Conner (ribs) and Jonathan Ward (knee) followed DNP/DNP/LP regimens and have been deemed questionable to suit up Monday. Conner's status is of particular interest for Edmonds' eventual workload. A decision on Conner won't be official until 90 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but if he's absent Edmonds would be poised for most of the backfield reps. When Conner missed Weeks 17 and 18 with a heel injury, Edmonds reeled off 209 yards from scrimmage and one TD on 34 rushes and 13 catches (on 15 targets).

The Buccaneers elevated Barner from their practice squad Saturday, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Barner earned four carries as part of the active roster in Week 18 but recorded zero yards. He'll serve as depth in the backfield for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Eagles since Ronald Jones (ankle) and Leonard Fournette (hamstring) will be unavailable.

Conner (ribs) is listed as questionable for Monday's wild-card game at the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Conner made his first appearance on the practice field Saturday since departing the Cardinals' season finale against the Seahawks with rib injury, logging a limited session. Jonathan Ward (knee) had the same practice regimen this week, while Chase Edmonds (ribs/toe) followed up back-to-back limited listings with a full practice Saturday. Edmonds is the only one of the three without a designation for the team's playoff opener, making him the best bet to lead the backfield Monday. Earlier in the week, coach Kliff Kingsbury considered Conner to be a game-time decision, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site, so his status may not be confirmed until 90 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.

Harris (elbow), who was listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, no longer carries an injury designation and will be available for the playoff contest.

This was hardly a surprise given Harris was a full participant in Friday's practice. Given the pivotal nature of a playoff game, it would have been truly surprising to see the rookie unable to play, especially given his extensive workload this season. The rookie finished the 2021 regular season with 1,667 total yards on 381 total touches, easily the most among rookie ball carriers in the last five years.

Boone appeared in eight games in 2021 and rushed four times for 35 yards while catching his only two targets for 22 yards.

Boone missed the first five games of the 2021 campaign with a quadriceps injury he suffered before the season in training camp. When the veteran running back made his return to the field, his involvement was minimal as a result of the near-even backfield split between Melvin Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams. Both backs had a strong year, so Boone played a depth role for the games in which he was active while also contributing on special teams. Boone is entering the second year of his two-year contract he signed in March of 2021, so he will likely be a member of the Broncos next season. Gordon, however, is set to become a free agent this offseason. It's possible that Boone could become Denver's de facto No. 2 running back behind Williams if Gordon signs with another team. In that scenario, Boone would hold some value in 2022 as a change-of-pace back for a team that runs the ball effectively.

Conner (ribs) was present at the portion of Saturday's practice open to the media, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

It remains to be seen how much Conner was able to practice, but the Cardinals' injury report should reveal that in short order. The running back did not practice both Thursday and Friday thanks to a rib injury suffered in the Week 18 loss to the Seahawks.

Ward (knee) did not practice Friday and is questionable for Monday against the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Ward was injured in Week 18 against the Seahawks and has yet to practice this week. With James Conner (ribs) and Chase Edmonds (ribs) also questionable, the Cardinals' backfield is banged up going into Monday's matchup with the Rams.