NFL Player News

Perine (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Buccaneers.

Perine will be a healthy scratch for a third consecutive week. With Perine unavailable and Tevin Coleman sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols, the Jets' backfield will consist of Michael Carter, Ty Johnson and Austin Walter.

Akers (Achilles) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Even though Akers was listed as questionable despite being a full participant in practices Wednesday through Friday, head coach Sean McVay made it clear heading into the weekend that the running back wasn't in line to make his season debut. Since being restored to the 53-man roster Dec. 25, Akers has now been inactive for two straight games, but he hasn't experienced any reported setbacks in his recovery from the surgery he underwent in July to address a torn Achilles' tendon. McVay indicated that Akers will likely be cleared to play in the Jan. 9 regular-season finale versus the 49ers, though the 22-year-old may not fill a major role behind lead back Sony Michel.

Taylor is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

With Rhamondre Stevenson back from the reserve/COVID-19 list, Taylor is the odd man out Sunday, with Damien Harris and Brandon Bolden also on hand versus Jacksonville.

Moss will be active for the second consecutive game Week 17 against Atlanta.

There was a point this season in which Moss ended up as a healthy scratch for three of four games, but Sunday will represent the second contest in a row he'll make the active list in favor of Matt Breida, who is again a healthy scratch. Moss was on the field for roughly a third of the offensive snaps last week against the Patriots, but it amounted to just four touches, making his role this week quite a bit uncertain. Meanwhile, starter Devin Singletary saw 12 carries and six targets in the passing game and has now averaged 12.6 carries per game over his last five contests.

Harris (hamstring) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

With Harris available and Rhamondre Stevenson back from missing last week's loss to the Bills while on the on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the duo is poised to share the Patriots' early-down work Sunday, while Brandon Bolden handles change-of-pace duties. In that context, Harris - who logged an 18/103/3 stat line in Week 16 -- should continue to see enough touches to merit fantasy lineup consideration, despite presumably yielding some carries to Stevenson.

Breida (coach's decision) will be a healthy scratch Week 17 against Atlanta.

With Breida sidelined for the second consecutive week, Zack Moss will once again be tasked with serving as the primary backup to starting running back Devin Singletary. Taiwan Jones is also on hand to serve in his regular special-teams role.

Barner was elevated to the Buccaneers' active roster Saturday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

With Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) both on injured reserve, Barner will be elevated for a second straight game. Last week, the 32-year-old played eight special teams snaps and returned five punts for 44 yards. He will likely garner a similar role against the Jets in Week 17.

Jones is expected to serve as the No. 2 running back behind Alvin Kamara in Sunday's game against the Panthers with Mark Ingram (knee) listed as questionable but not expected to play, Bob Rose of SI.com reports.

When Ingram was last sidelined Week 14 against the Jets after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Jones played 19 snaps on offense (28 percent) and carried six times for 10 yards while catching his lone target for a 19-yard gain. New Orleans won that game comfortably (30-9), but if Sunday's contest proves more competitive, Jones may be at risk of seeing a lighter workload if the playoff-hopeful Saints opt to lean more heavily on Kamara.

Though the Cardinals view Conner (heel) as a game-time decision, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport relays that there is optimism the running back will be able play Sunday against the Cowboys.

Conner is listed as questionable for the contest after returning to a limited practice Friday following a missed session Thursday. If he is made active for Sunday's 4:25 ET contest, Conner would be in line to return to a backfield timeshare with Chase Edmonds.

Akers (Achilles), who is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, will not play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

This isn't surprising as head coach Sean McVay said Friday that the running back is unlikely to make his season debut. The Rams intend to take a cautious approach with the 2020 second-round pick as he works his way back from an Achilles tear suffered in mid-July. Akers has been practicing for just over a week now and hasn't experienced any setbacks, but the Rams aren't likely to give him his first snaps of the season until the Jan. 9 regular-season finale versus the 49ers.