NFL Player News

Conner (ankle) returned to practice Friday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

It gives him a shot to play in Sunday's game at Detroit, following missed practices Wednesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, Chase Edmonds (knee) is looking ready to return from IR, potentially dropping Conner back to smaller role even if the ankle injury doesn't prevent him from playing or limit his effectiveness.

Edmonds (ankle) is running routes at Friday's practice and looks healthy, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com.

Edmonds is closing in on a return after four consecutive missed games, while James Conner is now dealing with an ankle injury of his own, though the 230-pounder did return to practice Friday. Unlike his teammate, Edmonds won't be listed on the practice/injury report this week, as he's technically still on IR (with a designation to return). The Cardinals need to move Edmonds to the active roster by Saturday afternoon to have him available for Sunday's game in Detroit.

Carter (ankle) is expected to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Dolphins, and coach Robert Saleh said the rookie will have "a significant role," Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Carter was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, and it appears the Jets will waste little time returning their talented rookie to the feature role in the backfield. Tevin Coleman (concussion) is also expected to return this week, so New York's backfield should be at full strength in Miami.

Ahmed (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and is available to practice Friday, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Ahmed, Myles Gaskin and Phillip Lindsay all tested positive for the virus during Miami's bye week, but the team is getting Ahmed and Gaskin back Friday. Ahmed figures to fill a depth role with Gaskin likely to lead the backfield Sunday versus the Jets.

Gaskin (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday and is available to practice, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Gaskin landed on the COVID-19 last after testing positive for the virus during Miami's bye week, and he'll return to the active roster without missing any game action. Salvon Ahmed also cleared the protocols, so the Dolphins should have most of their backfield available this weekend against the Jets.

Kelley carried the ball seven times for 21 yards to go along with one fumble in Thursday's 34-28 overtime loss to the Chiefs.

Kelley's fumble could have long-term ramifications considering the goal-line gaffe was simply an egregious mistake in a pivotal situation. While the second-year back has seen 17 carries over the past two weeks with the Chargers carefully managing Austin Ekeler's ankle injury, Kelley has struggled with the usage, averaging 3.2 yards per carry over that span. It's entirely possible Larry Rountree, who was a healthy inactive Thursday, could push for additional playing time in light of Kelley's latest miscue.

Williams rushed twice for five yards and failed to bring in his only target during the Chiefs' 34-28 overtime win over the Chargers on Thursday night.

Williams was a virtual afterthought in the comeback win, although to be fair, the ground attack largely was as a whole. The Chiefs played with a deficit for significant portions of the game, and coach Andy Reid opted to lean heavily on his top three most explosive weapons in Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Williams has now logged just 14 total carries and seven receptions in the four games since backfield mate Clyde Edwards-Helaire returned from an IR stint due to a knee injury, dampening his prospects heading into a Week 16 home matchup against the Steelers a week from Sunday.

Edwards-Helaire rushed nine times for 32 yards and brought in two of four targets for 18 yards in the Chiefs' 34-28 overtime win over the Chargers on Thursday night. He also caught a two-point conversion from Patrick Mahomes.

Edwards-Helaire paced the Chiefs backfield in rush attempts, but that wasn't saying much on a night when Kansas City trailed for significant chunks of the game and tilted heavily toward the pass in the second half and overtime. The second-year back was coming off a highly efficient 10-carry, two-touchdown effort against the Raiders in Week 14, and his rush-attempt tally was his lowest in a non-injury-shortened game all season. Edwards-Helaire's Week 16 prospects are relatively bright, however, as he'll face a Steelers defense that's increasingly struggled to stop the run as the season has unfolded.

Ekeler (ankle) carried the ball 12 times for 59 yards and a score in Thursday's 34-28 loss to the Chiefs. He also caught all four of his targets for 23 yards.

In Thursday's divisional matchup, the Chargers elected to not feature Ekeler -- who has been dealing with ankle soreness -- in the red zone at critical junctures. Meanwhile, the duo of Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley combined for 20 carries, as the team managed the workload of Ekeler, who was considered a game-time decision approaching the contest. On the heels of a short week, the star back will now have some added time to rest and recover in advance of the Chargers' Dec. 26 road game against the 2-11 Texans.

McCrary (undisclosed) was placed on the Ravens' practice squad COVID-19 list Thursday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

McCrary has spent the majority of the 2021 season on the Ravens' practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster in Week 13 against Pittsburgh and logged one carry for minus-1 yards. However, given his placement on the COVID-19 list, he is unlikely to be eligible for promotion from the practice squad for Sunday's matchup against the Packers.