NFL Player News

Mitchell (concussion/knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell didn't practice last week and was ruled out two days in advance of the 49ers' overtime win over the Bengals. Jeff Wilson filled in as the lead back with 13 carries for 56 yards, but Kyle Juszczyk and JaMycal Hasty received most of the playing time in passing situations. Meanwhile, wideout Deebo Samuel served as a secondary option on the ground, taking eight carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. The concussion seems to be a bigger obstacle than the knee injury in terms of Mitchell's availability for the 49ers' upcoming game this Sunday against Atlanta.

Gordon (thumb) isn't practicing Wednesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Gordon returned to Sunday's 38-10 win over the Lions after injuring his thumb, ultimately finishing with 24 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He's also dealt with hip and shoulder injuries of late, missing the Broncos' Week 13 loss to the Chiefs as a result. He'll likely try to tough it out this weekend against the Bengals in a matchup between potential AFC wild-card contenders.

Freeman is expected to complement David Johnson in the Houston backfield with Rex Burkhead (hip) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 AM Houston reports.

The Houston backfield has largely been unproductive this season regardless of who takes the snaps, though there's at least a little extra potential for somebody to step up over the next couple weeks with a favorable schedule and thinned-out depth chart. Freeman was actually the team's only healthy tailback at one point in Sunday's 33-13 loss to the Seahawks, ultimately finishing with 11 carries for 15 yards and a 6-51-8 receiving line on eight targets. Texans head coach David Culley said Johnson will be the lead back this weekend in Jacksonville, but Freeman should also get a bunch of touches.

The Jets designated Carter (ankle) for return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Carter, who suffered a low-grade high-ankle sprain Week 11, is a candidate to be activated from IR in advance of Sunday's game against Miami, barring any setbacks in his return to practice. Meanwhile, fellow running back Tevin Coleman (concussion) also looks on track to play, though he would likely move into a secondary role behind Carter if both backs get the green light to suit up this weekend.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he doesn't expect Swift (shoulder) to practice Wednesday.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson (hand) is also expected to sit out Wednesday, with Campbell noting that the two injured skill-position players will "move around" in the Lions' first Week 15 practice session. With that in mind, Swift's status for Sunday's game against the Cardinals is to be determined, while fellow running back Jamaal Williams currently resides on reserve/COVID-19 list for the time being. Craig Reynolds, Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson are left as the healthy backs on the 53-man roster.

Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday that Conner (ankle) is viewed as day-to-day, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Conner underwent an MRI to address the severity of his ankle injury Tuesday, but the running back appears to have avoided something that will keep him sidelined long term. That said, the Cardinals will likely wait to comment on Conner's availability for Week 15 in Detroit until after evaluating him during a few practice sessions. Meanwhile, top wideout DeAndre Hopkins (leg) is set to receive a second opinion on his injury after receiving an MRI on Tuesday. Chase Edmonds (ankle) also looks like he might be ready to return from injured reserve this week, which would likely result in Conner ceding some passing-down work when both backs are available.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday he's "hopeful" that Sanders (ankle) will be available for Sunday's game with Washington, Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

Sanders aggravated an ankle injury during the Eagles' Week 13 win over the Jets, but he's since had a bye week to rest up and get healthy. As long as Sanders can avoid any setbacks at practice this week, he looks like he'll have a fair shot at suiting up Sunday. Jordan Howard (knee) could also be a candidate to return Week 15, while the involvement of both Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell could largely depend on the rest of the backfield's health.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that he expects Pollard (foot) to practice in a limited capacity, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

During the open portion of Wednesday's practice, Pollard was spotted doing some resistance training off to the side, per Todd Archer of ESPN.com, but McCarthy's comments suggest that the running back may take part in some position drills behind the scenes. Before being inactive for last week's win over Washington, Pollard didn't practice in any fashion Wednesday through Friday while dealing with a plantar fascia tear of his left foot, so he already looks to have taken a step forward to begin Week 15 prep. According to Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News, McCarthy said Monday that Pollard is "feeling a lot better" about the 24-year-old's chances of playing Week 15, but an official decision on Pollard's status likely won't arrive until after Friday's practice.

Benjamin didn't earn a touch on three offensive snaps during Monday's 30-23 loss to the Rams.

During Chase Edmonds' four-game absence while recovering from a high-ankle sprain, Benjamin has had his snap share dwindle in each ensuing contest, including just seven plays on offense and three touches over the last two games. At the same time, current No. 1 RB James Conner hasn't seen less than 81 percent of those plays in a given contest. Clearly, coach Kliff Kingsbury is going with his most trusted backfield option, and with the Cardinals designating Edmonds for return from IR last Thursday, his return to the active roster may be imminent. As a result, Benjamin may see his way out of the RB rotation entirely as early as this Sunday at Detroit.

Barner was signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The running back was signed Tuesday after Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) was placed on injured reserve. Barner will provide the team with additional depth at the position behind the likes of Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones, though it's yet to be seen if he'll crack the active roster.