NFL Player News

Pollard (foot) was a full practice participant Wednesday, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Pollard was held out of the Cowboys' Week 18 win at Philadelphia due to the torn fascia in his left foot that he's been playing through since Week 13. While he missed Week 14 as a result, he played in the ensuing three contests, turning 31 touches into 195 yards from scrimmage and no touchdowns. During that same three-game stretch, Ezekiel Elliott notched 39 touches for 144 total yards and three total scores. With Dallas' top two running backs all good on the health front, the backfield is ready to go ahead of Sunday's wild-card matchup with the 49ers.

Sanders (hand) was a limited participant at Wednesday's walk-through practice.

After suffering a broken hand Week 17 against the Giants, Sanders was unable to practice Tuesday through Thursday last week before he was ruled out ahead of Saturday's eventual loss to the Cowboys. The Eagles were also down Boston Scott and Jordan Howard in the regular-season finale due to both residing on the reserve/COVID-19 list, leaving the backfield snaps in the hands of Kenneth Gainwell and Jason Huntley. Both Scott and Howard cleared league protocols Monday, and now Sanders is setting himself for a potential return for Sunday's wild-card game at Tampa Bay. How Sanders fares in practice Thursday and Friday will determine whether he heads into the weekend with a designation.

Harris (elbow) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Head coach Mike Tomlin previously said that Harris -- who suffered an elbow injury during the Steelers' Week 18 win over the Ravens but was able to return to the game -- would likely have his reps managed in practice to begin the week, so the running back's absence Wednesday isn't surprising. Harris' status will be worth monitoring ahead of Sunday's playoff game against Kansas City, with Tomlin noting that the team will let Harris' "practice participation and how he feels be our guide as we get closer to game time." Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage are next up for reps out of the backfield while Harris manages his elbow issue.

Mitchell (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mitchell came back from a three-game absence and took 44 touches over the final two weeks of the regular season, but he's still bothered by his knee, with head coach Kyle Shanahan saying Monday that the running back's practice reps could be limited. The rookie is still expected to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Cowboys, assuming he gets back on the practice field Thursday or Friday without any setbacks.

Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday that Ward (knee) is considered day-to-day, Dana Scott of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ward's status for the wild-card matchup with the Rams wouldn't mean much by itself, but it's big news given the Cardinals' two primary running backs -- James Conner (ribs/heel) and Chase Edmonds (ribs/toe) -- are both considered day-to-day as well. However, Kingsbury did add that all three will be tested during Thursday's practice, which should give a better indication of their statuses' for Monday.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury expects Edmonds (ribs) to be tested at Thursday's practice, Dana Scott of The Arizona Republic reports.

Kingsbury put Edmonds, James Conner (ribs/heel) and Jonathan Ward (knee) in the same category Wednesday, labeling them all as day-to-day and suggesting they would at least try to practice Thursday. Ideally, the Cardinals want Edmonds and Conner in a timeshare, but they've only had one or the other available throughout most of the second half of the season. That was the case Week 18 against Seattle with Edmonds sidelined by the rib injury, only for Conner to depart in the fourth quarter with a similar issue. With Ward also banged up, Eno Benjamin is the only healthy back on Arizona's roster as of mid-week. The Cardinals have a bit of extra time with their upcoming playoff game against the Rams scheduled for Monday.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury considers Conner (ribs/heel) day-to-day, saying Wednesday that the running back will be tested at Thursday's practice, Dana Scott of The Arizona Republic reports.

Conner missed Weeks 16 and 17 with a heel injury, then hurt his ribs in the fourth quarter of the Week 18 loss to Seattle. He thus appears uncertain for Monday's wild-card matchup with the Rams, though there's some opportunity for a huge workload if he recovers quickly. Fellow Cardinals running backs Chase Edmonds (ribs/toe) and Jonathan Ward (knee) also are day-to-day with injuries, with neither looking like a safe bet to suit up for the postseason opener.

Williams (toe) and fellow Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) both took the field for Wednesday's practice, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Williams' presence on the field supports the notion that he avoided a serious injury when he was removed from the Chiefs' Week 18 win over Denver. However, his role may nonetheless be set to decline, with Edwards-Helaire also hoping to suit up for Sunday's wild-card game against the Steelers, after missing the final two games of the regular season.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) was spotted at practice Wednesday, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Both Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams (toe) were present for the Chiefs' first practice of the week, which bodes well for the chances of both backs being available for Sunday's wild-card game against the Steelers. That said, Edwards-Helaire -- who last suited up Week 16 -- will probably need to practice fully by Friday in order to avoid heading into the weekend with an injury designation.

Head coach Bruce Arians said Wednesday that he considers Jones (ankle) doubtful for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Even in the unlikely event he manages to play, Jones might not have much of a role with both Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (knee/hip) designated to return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday. The Bucs also have Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell as backfield options in case Fournette and Bernard don't show enough progress in practice to gain clearance for the postseason opener.