NFL Player News

Mitchell (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell followed up Wednesday's absence with some reps one day later as he continues to tend to a knee injury. He's played through the concern the past two weeks, handling at least 54 percent of snaps on both occasions and earning 44 touches. During that same stretch, JaMycal Hasty and Jeff Wilson combined for four touches on 42 plays, indicating this is Mitchell's backfield when healthy and available. While he's not 100 percent, Mitchell may have his injury designation removed when the 49ers release their final practice report of the week Friday.

Ward (knee) did not practice Thursday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

The running back was unavailable for Thursday's practice after being considered day-to-day Wednesday. Ward is dealing with a knee issue and his status at Friday's practice will provide more clarity to his chances to play Monday against the Rams.

Edmonds (ribs/toe) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

As expected, Edmonds was back on the field to begin the week of prep after missing the Cardinals' season finale against the Seahawks with a rib injury. He's now listed with a toe issue as well, but he at least managed some activity, which can't be said for either James Conner (ribs) or Jonathan Ward (knee). On Thursday, coach Kliff Kingsbury called both Edmonds and Conner game-time calls for Monday at the Rams, but the running back himself later stated he expects to play, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. How Edmonds and Conner fare in practice Friday and Saturday likely will determine their availability and likely breakdown of reps for the team's playoff opener.

Conner (ribs) was held out of Thursday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

After sitting out Weeks 16 and 17 due to a heel injury, Conner returned for the Cardinals' regular-season finale against the Seahawks and took on the bulk of the backfield work (21 touches on 59 percent snap share) before departing in the fourth quarter with a rib issue. Coach Kliff Kingsbury termed both Conner and Chase Edmonds (ribs/toe), who sat out Week 18 but was limited Wednesday, as game-time decisions for Monday's playoff opener at the Rams, according to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. With Jonathan Ward (knee) also unable to practice Wednesday, Eno Benjamin is the only healthy running back on the active roster at the moment.

Harris (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's playoff game against the Bills after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The Patriots list 13 players as questionable for the contest, but of that group we suspect that Harris is among those who are closer to the 'probable' designation once utilized on NFL injury reports. To be safe, those considering Harris in fantasy lineups this weekend are advised to confirm his status ahead of Saturday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but assuming he's active he'll be in line to head the team's rushing attack versus Buffalo, with Rhamondre Stevenson on hand to see a portion of the team's early down work and Brandon Bolden available as a change-of-pace option.

Williams (toe) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Meanwhile, fellow running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) didn't practice after logging a limited session Wednesday. Friday's final injury report should add some clarity with regard to the duo's chances of suiting up for Sunday's playoff game against the Steelers, but at this point Williams' availability for the contest looks more secure than Edwards-Helaire's.

Jacobs (ribs) doesn't carry an injury designation for Saturday's playoff game against the Bengals after being listed as a limited practice participant this week, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

The same applies to tight end Darren Waller (knee), which sets the stage for the Las Vegas offense to have its key playmakers available for the team's wild-card contest. In the Raiders' 35-32 overtime win over the Chargers in Week 18, Jacobs parlayed his 57 snaps into 26 carries for a season-high 132 yards and a touchdown to go along with two catches for 12 yards. He'll continue to handle the bulk of the team's carries this weekend, with Jalen Richard available to serve in a change-of-pace role and Peyton Barber on hand in reserve.

Jones (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Jones has yet to take the field since injuring his ankle during a Week 17 win at the Jets. Elsewhere in the backfield, the Bucs are preparing both Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) for a return from injured reserve, but it remains to be seen if either will be activated by Saturday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. Assuming one or both are back on the active roster Sunday against the Eagles, he (or they) will join Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell at running back while Jones likely looks on from the sideline.

Sanders (hand) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Since fracturing his hand in the Eagles' Week 16 win over the Giants, Sanders has missed two straight games and hasn't put in a full practice. He's at least taken a step forward in terms of activity as the Eagles prepare for Sunday's wild-card game in Tampa Bay, as Sanders has now turned in consecutive limited practices to begin the week. Another limited showing wouldn't necessarily close the door on him playing Sunday, but he'll likely need to upgrade to full activity to avoid taking a designation into the weekend. If the Eagles decide Sanders' hand hasn't healed enough for him to play against the Buccaneers, the team would likely turn to a combination of Boston Scott and Jordan Howard to carry the load on the ground, while rookie Kenneth Gainwell serves as a change-of-pace option.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Edwards-Helaire was a limited participant Wednesday in the Chiefs' first practice of the week, so his absence a day later suggests the running back either received some extra maintenance or experienced a setback with his injured shoulder. If it's the latter case, Edwards-Helaire would likely be at major risk of missing his third straight game Sunday, when the Chiefs host the Steelers in the wild-card round. On a positive note, Darrel Williams (toe) was on the practice field again Thursday after joining Edwards-Helaire as a limited participant at Wednesday's session, so Kansas City should have at least one of its top two backs available for the start of the postseason.