NFL Player News

Head coach Sean McVay said Friday that Akers (Achilles) isn't likely to play in Sunday's game against the Ravens, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports. "I think next week looks like a more realistic goal, like we've had with him all along," McVay said.

The Rams may not give Akers an official injury designation for Week 17 since he hasn't appeared on either of their first two practice reports, but the 22-year-old nonetheless looks like he may be available only in an emergency Sunday while he works back from the torn Achilles' tendon he suffered in mid-July. Akers has made remarkable progress in his recovery thus far and hasn't suffered any reported setbacks since being restored to the 53-man roster Dec. 25, but the Rams may not be counting on him to be a contributor until Week 18 against the 49ers. Even if Akers is free of restrictions in that contest, he'll likely be playing second fiddle to Sony Michel, who has seized the lead role out of the backfield while Darrell Henderson has missed time in recent weeks before landing on injured reserve Tuesday with an MCL sprain.

Jones (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Minnesota.

Jones has been a limited participant in nearly every practice since he missed Week 13 with a knee sprain. In three games since the absence, he's taken 30 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown to go with 10 catches for 63 yards and two scores on 11 targets. AJ Dillon picked up more carries in Jones' first game back, but it was the veteran who led the Packers the past two weeks with 13 carries against Baltimore and 12 against Cleveland.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Though Edwards-Helaire was unable to practice this past week, head coach Andy Reid isn't yet ruling the running back out for Sunday's contest. If, however, Edwards-Helaire is deemed out or handles only a limited role Week 17, more opportunities would be available for Darrel Williams and Derrick Gore. Jerick McKinnon (hamstring) is a candidate to be activated from injured reserve if Edwards-Helaire isn't ready to play.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) didn't practice again Friday, but head coach Andy Reid isn't ruling the running back out from playing in Sunday's game against the Bengals, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Reid noted that since Edwards-Helaire knows the playbook, it's possible he could suit up despite not practicing this week. If, however, Edwards-Helaire is unable to go this weekend, Kansas City could activate Jerick McKinnon (hamstring) from injured reserve to bolster a backfield that also includes Darrel Williams and Derrick Gore.

Barkley (ankle) has no injury designation for Sunday's game in Chicago.

As expected, with Barkley (and the Giants) suggesting this week that he won't be shut down if he's healthy enough to play. There's little question the team will try to get the ball to its running backs while working with backup QBs and an injury-ravaged wideout group, but that's basically been the plan for weeks now and it hasn't led to much production for either Barkley or Devontae Booker, with both seeing double-digit touches in four straight games. During that stretch, Barkley has averaged 14.3 carries and 5.3 targets per game, but with a yield of only 67.8 total yards and 0.25 TDs.

Williams is poised for a larger role this week with fellow Washington running back Antonio Gibson landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list two days before Sunday's game against the Eagles, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

ESPN's John Keim suggests rookie RB Jaret Patterson will start in the likely event Gibson is out, but Williams and practice-squad player Wendell Smallwood could also have roles, potentially including snaps on passing downs. Williams has played in three games (Weeks 14-16) this season, taking eight carries for 30 yards and a touchdown while catching two of three targets for 21 yards. During that same stretch (the past three weeks), Patterson carried 17 times for 81 yards and a score but was targeted just once.

Patterson is expected to pick up his first career start Sunday against the Eagles after lead back Antonio Gibson (hip) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday upon testing positive for the virus, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Gibson's status for Week 17 was already murky after he downgraded from limited participation in practice Wednesday to no activity Thursday on account of the hip issue, and his placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list makes it even more likely that he'll miss his first game. Since Gibson is vaccinated, he'll theoretically have a chance to test out of the NFL's COVID-19 protocol before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but that should be viewed as a long shot. Gibson's expected absences leaves Patterson as the next man up out of the Washington backfield on the heels of his nine-carry, 33-yard outing in last week's 56-14 loss to the Cowboys. The blowout nature of the contest likely played a factor in Patterson taking on a greater role in the game plan in the second half, but even if Washington is able to keep things more competitive this week, the undrafted rookie out of Buffalo should have a good chance of getting double-digit touches. Jonathan Williams is also expected to pick up some work on the ground and may steal snaps from Patterson on passing downs, as could Wendell Smallwood, who the Football Team is likely to promote from its practice squad.

Washington placed Gibson (hip) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

According to John Keim of ESPN.com, Gibson is vaccinated, which means he was placed on the list as a result of testing positive. He'll theoretically have a chance to play Sunday against the Eagles if he can test out of the protocol in rapid fashion, though the timing of his placement on the list makes that highly unlikely. With that in mind, Jaret Patterson could be in line to serve as Washington's lead option on the ground Week 17, with Jonathan Williams also factoring into the backfield mix.

The Colts activated Mack (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

Mack landed on the list Monday but was able to clear the NFL's return-to-play protocols in timely fashion. The 25-year-old has been a healthy scratch since Week 8, and he's unlikely to see the field Sunday against the Raiders if the rest of the Indianapolis backfield remains in good health.

Bolden (knee) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Lead back Damien Harris (hamstring) was also limited for the second straight practice, but at this stage, neither he nor Bolden look to be in danger of sitting out Sunday against the Jaguars while they manage their respective lingering injuries. Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, but he'll represent more of a threat to poach carries from Harris rather than challenging for Bolden's snaps on passing downs.