NFL Player News

Benjamin notched 34 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown, gathered in six of seven targets for 42 yards and returned seven kickoffs for 162 yards in nine appearances during the 2021 campaign.

A 2020 seventh-round pick, Benjamin filled in when injuries impacted the Cardinals' skill-position ranks this season. Most of his usage occurred in games in which one of fellow running backs James Conner or Chase Edmonds was sidelined, but Benjamin wasn't very efficient on the ground, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. On a positive note, though, Benjamin ranked first on the team with 23.1 yards per kick return among Cards with at least five opportunities. With both Conner and Edmonds set to be unrestricted free agents in the offseason, Benjamin could have a more prominent role in 2022, depending on the composition of the backfield following free agency and the draft.

Jones (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

There were positive signs from Jones earlier Thursday, when he was seen running at the back of the practice field, per Laine. However, Jones hasn't been able to cut on his ankle sprain since injuring himself Week 17 at the Jets. With just one more session to mix into drills this week, he may be trending toward a third absence in a row Sunday against the Rams. If the preceding comes to pass, the Bucs again may have to lean on Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) at running back because Leonard Fournette (hamstring) remains on injured reserve.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) practiced fully again Thursday.

After having logged back-to-back full sessions Wednesday and Thursday, Edwards-Helaire appears on track to suit up Sunday against the Bills, barring any setbacks. Friday's final injury report will confirm whether Edwards-Helaire approaches the contest minus an injury designation as well as add further context with regard to the status of fellow running back Darrel Williams (toe), who has yet to practice this week.

Williams (toe) didn't practice Thursday, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Williams missed Wednesday's practice as well, so what he's able to do Friday will be telling with regard to his chances of suiting up for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Bills. While Williams' status for the contest is cloudy for now, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) has been practicing this week and thus is trending toward a return to action versus Buffalo. In Kansas City's wild-card win over the Steelers this past weekend, Williams logged just eight snaps on offense and one carry, while Jerick McKinnon led the team's backfield with 12 carries on 51 snaps.

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said Thursday that Henry (foot) has been taking more reps in each successive practice since the Titans designated him for return from injured reserve Jan. 5, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Vrabel wouldn't tip his hand regarding if Henry will be available for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Bengals, as the Titans plan to reassess the running back Friday before deciding on his status. In order for Henry to be eligible to play this weekend, Tennessee will have to activate him from IR no later than 4 p.m. ET on Friday, so clarity on his availability (or lack thereof) should arrive by that point. If the Titans elect to hold Henry out for their postseason opener, D'Onta Foreman would be in line to serve as the team's lead option on the ground, as was the case for much of the second half of the regular season.

Mitchell (knee) practiced fully Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell has managed an uncapped session earlier than he did the previous three weeks as he puts his bout with knee irritation further in the rear-view mirror. During the recent three-game stretch, he averaged 24 touches for 100 yards from scrimmage per game while totaling two touchdowns. Mitchell will look to keep it going Saturday in the divisional round, taking on a Packers defense that has allowed 4.3 yards per carry (17th-most in the NFL) and 14 touchdowns (tied for 20th-most) to running backs in 17 regular-season contests.

Barner netted no gain on four carries and returned six punts for 47 yards across three games during the 2021 season.

The veteran back has shuttled back and forth between the practice squad and active roster, most recently garnering active status for the wild-card win over the Eagles on Sunday but not recording any stats. Barner is essentially emergency depth for the Buccaneers, and as was evident Sunday, even injuries to the backfield's top two options far from guarantee he can see any action from scrimmage. Additionally, as long as Jaelon Darden is healthy, the speedy rookie appears to have the full-time return job secured, which cuts off Barner's primary route to even getting on the field.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) practiced fully Wednesday.

Edwards-Helaire didn't practice this past Thursday and Friday before ultimately being ruled out ahead of Kansas City's win over Pittsburgh in the wild-card round, but the running back's return to a full session to begin the current week presumably paves the way for him to return to the field Sunday against the Bills in the divisional round. With that in mind, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com relays that head coach Andy Reid noted that Edwards-Helaire "moved around well" Wednesday, but reiterated that the real test for the 2020 first-round pick will come Thursday.

Jones (ankle) didn't take part in Wednesday's practice.

Jones has yet to step on the practice field since injuring his ankle in the Week 17 win over the Jets. As for the rest of the Buccaneers backfield, Leonard Fournette (hamstring) remains on injured reserve, and Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) was a limited participant Wednesday, leaving Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Le'Veon Bell and practice squad member Kenjon Barner as the healthy options at the position. Until Jones joins his teammates in some drills, he doesn't seem like a candidate to be available for Sunday's divisional-round matchup with the Rams.

Clement finished the regular season with 33 carries for 140 rushing yards and six catches on seven targets for 29 yards and a touchdown.

While he suited up for all 17 games in his first season with Dallas, Clement was mainly used on special teams and saw double-digit snaps on offense only three times. He was able to score his only TD against his former club the Eagles in Week 18, however. A free agent in the offseason, Clement could return to the Cowboys but will fill a depth role in the backfield wherever he ends up in 2022.