NFL Player News

Ollison (quadriceps) was unable to participate at Wednesday's practice.

The running back suffered the quadriceps injury in Week 17 against the Bills, causing him to miss Wednesday's first practice of the week. If Ollison were forced to miss Week 18, it wouldn't cause much of a change in the Falcons' offensive approach, as their top two ball-carriers Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson will be available.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday.

He missed every practice last week and has now sat out Tuesday and Wednesday of Week 18, leaving Thursday as his final chance for participation. If Edwards-Helaire ends up missing a second straight game Saturday in Denver, Darrel Williams likely will be called on again as Kansas City's lead back, coming off a big game last week with 107 total yards and two scores.

Carter (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, but the Jets are optimistic he could play this Sunday against the Bills, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Brian Costello of the New York Post reports that Carter did some work on a side field Wednesday, suggesting he's already making progress through the NFL concussion protocol. The rookie got off to fast start in Sunday's 28-24 loss to Tampa Bay, ripping off a 50-yard run in the first quarter before a concussion forced him out of the game. Head Robert Saleh said Wednesday that Carter is "progressing well" and is expected back soon.

Pollard (foot) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Pollard is continuing to tend to the torn plantar fascia in his left foot that he suffered during a Week 13 win at New Orleans. While he was sidelined Week 14 in Washington, he's played in each of the Cowboys' ensuing three contests, turning 31 touches into 195 yards from scrimmage. Pollard has put together two straight limited listings on Dallas' first two Week 18 practice reports, leaving Thursday as his last chance to head into Saturday's game at Philadelphia without an injury designation.

Jones (knee) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.

As has been the case since Jones missed a Week 11 loss at Minnesota, the Packers are capping his practice reps due to a knee issue. As he puts the injury further in the rear-view mirror, he's also become more effective as both as runner and pass catcher, culminating with 13 touches for 106 yards from scrimmage in this past Sunday's rematch with the Vikings. While his availability for a Week 18 visit to Detroit isn't in question, Green Bay may opt to limit Jones' snap count with the intent of preserving his health for the postseason.

Chubb (ribs/chest) is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Chubb was noticeably absent for stretches of Monday's 26-14 loss to Pittsburgh, with head coach Kevin Stefanski noting afterward that the running back got banged up early in the game. The 26-year-old still managed 12 carries for 58 yards and took snaps into the fourth quarter, so he'll likely aim to give it a go this Sunday against the Bengals. Case Keenum will replace Baker Mayfield (shoulder) under center for the season finale.

Vaughn (ribs) practiced fully Wednesday.

While head coach Bruce Arians called Vaughn "fine" earlier Wednesday, he noted that current No. 1 running back Ronald Jones was donning a walking boot and wouldn't practice, per Scott Smith of the team's official site. Tampa Bay will wait until Thursday or Friday to see if Jones can run on his injured ankle, at which point a decision may be made on his availability for Week 18. With Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) still on injured reserve, Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell are the only healthy running backs on the active roster at the moment. Vaughn has received more run than normal over the last three contests due to all the injuries in the backfield, averaging 6.7 yards on his 18 carries, reeling in two of six passes for 14 yards and scoring one touchdown.

The Bengals officially placed Mixon (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Mixon reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and is not in line to play Sunday against the Browns. Head coach Zac Taylor was less definitive about the matter, noting that Mixon and all the other Bengals players recently placed on the list will have the chance to test out of the protocols before the regular-season finale, according to Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer. That said, the Bengals have already secured a home-field advantage for the wild-card round of the playoffs and will need a number of scenarios to work in their favor to move up to the No. 1 seed, so Mixon will more than likely be limited if he clears the protocols before Sunday, if he even dresses for the contest at all. Assuming that's the case, Samaje Perine would be in line to head the Bengals' Week 18 backfield, with Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams in the mix to see complementary work.

Perine likely will work as Cincinnati's lead back Sunday against the Browns, after teammate Joe Mixon tested positive for the coronavirus Wednesday, Chase Goodbread of NFL.com reports.

Mixon will be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and is expected to miss his first game of the season, with the Bengals unlikely to rush him back even if he's able to quickly clear the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol. Quarterback Joe Burrow (knee) said he'll be rested for the regular-season finale, so it's a good bet other key Bengals will be held out or play only limited snaps this weekend. Still, it's an excellent opportunity for Perine, who has 55 carries for 246 yards (4.5 YPC) and a touchdown this season, plus 27 catches for 196 yards on 31 targets. He's seen a lot of his playing time on third downs with Mixon enjoying a relatively healthy season, but Perine is far from a passing-down specialist. Cincinnati's other backfield options sans Mixon would be Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams.

Sanders (hand) isn't practicing Wednesday, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Head coach Nick Sirianni already acknowledged that Sanders is unlikely to return for Saturday's regular-season finale against the Cowboys. Meanwhile, fellow Eagles backs Jordan Howard and Boston Scott were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, potentially leaving Kenneth Gainwell in a key role Week 18, though Howard and Scott still have time to clear the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol. Sanders, on the other hand, likely is targeting the playoffs for his return from a broken hand.