NFL Player News

Gordon rushed 12 times for 110 yards and a touchdown, brought in one of two targets for six yards and lost a fumble in the Broncos' 28-24 loss to the Chiefs on Saturday.

Gordon impressively played through his nagging hip and thumb issues and generated his second-highest rushing yardage total of the campaign. The veteran's production was significantly boosted by an impressive 47-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, his eighth score on the ground in 2021. Gordon's Week 18 production left him 68 yards short of the 986 he compiled during his first Broncos season in 2020 over a 15-game span, but as he demonstrated Saturday, he still seems to have plenty left in the tank in terms of serving in a complementary role. Whether that unfolds next season in Denver in conjunction with Javonte Williams remains to be seen, however, as the latter arguably made a convincing case for full-time lead-back duties during his rookie campaign and Gordon is slated to become an unrestricted free agent come the new league year.

Williams was forced out of Saturday's game against the Broncos with a toe injury.

Prior to his exit from the contest, Williams logged seven carries for 17 yards and caught three of his four targets for 30 yards. Next up for Kansas City's backfield touches in his absence are Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) inactive Week 18.

Mixon remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.

Mixon, who landed on the list Wednesday, wasn't activated by the Bengals ahead of Week 18 action, so until he clears the NFL's COVID protocols, look for Samaje Perine to head the team's backfield, with Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams in the mix to see complementary work.

Gainwell is in line for an increased workload Saturday night against the Cowboys, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia, with Miles Sanders (hand) out and Boston Scott (illness) and Jordan Howard (illness) still on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Also in the team's backfield mix versus Dallas will be Jason Huntley, who is up from the practice squad to work in tandem with Gainwell on Saturday. In a game where multiple key Philadelphia players figure to be sidelined or limited, Gainwell has a chance to earn enough Week 18 volume to merit fantasy lineup (or DFS) consideration for those scrambling for a running back option.

Elliott may have a smaller workload than normal Saturday at Philadelphia, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

With Tony Pollard (foot) not traveling with the Cowboys for this Week 18 NFC East matchup, Elliott was the name running back to make the trip. However, the team elevated JaQuan Hardy and Ito Smith from the practice squad Saturday, indicating Elliott may take a step back or not have a role at all in the regular-season finale. If the preceding comes to pass, Corey Clement could lead Dallas' backfield, with Hardy and Smith available for any reps that linger.

Scott (illness) remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Saturday's game against the Cowboys, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

The same goes for Jordan Howard (illness), and with Miles Sanders sidelined by a hand injury, Kenneth Gainwell figures to head the Eagles' Week 18 rushing attack, while Jason Huntley also is on hand to mix in. Scott thus will look clear the NFL's COVID-19 protocols in advance of the team's postseason opener next weekend.

Huntley was elevated to the active roster Saturday.

Huntley is one of just two active running backs available for the Eagles on Saturday with Boston Scott and Jordan Howard both not activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Expect Kenneth Gainwell to be the featured back with Huntley mixing in particularly in passing situations. The 2020 fifth-round pick has not made an appearance with the Eagles this season but did see action with the team in five games last year.

Barner was elevated to the Buccaneers' active roster Saturday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

The running back was with the active roster each of the last two weeks, operating exclusively as a special-teams option while registering 47 punt return yards. With Ronald Jones (ankle) out Sunday against the Panthers, Barner may get his first look as a backfield option while the Buccaneers wrap up the regular season and gear up for a playoff run.

Wilkins was elevated from the Titans' practice squad Saturday.

The Titans opted not to activate Derrick Henry (foot) off injured reserve, which set the stage for Wilkins to make his first appearance with another AFC South squad. Don't expect the lumbering Wilkins to see a significant amount of carries unless the Titans see a sizable lead Sunday in the quest to lock up the No. 1 seed.

McNichols was waived by the Titans on Saturday.

The Titans opted to elevate Jordan Wilkins from the practice squad, signaling the end of McNichols' tenure with the franchise. The fifth-year running back had a relatively critical role earlier in the season after Derrick Henry's season-ending foot injury, which ultimately allowed the scatback to set career highs in both receptions and receiving yards. The emergence of Dontrell Hilliard relegated McNichols to an offensive afterthought recently as the 26-year-old tallied just nine carries and zero receptions over the last two weeks.