NFL Player News

Williams' placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday was the result of a positive test, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Even if he's vaccinated, Williams' positive test rules out the possibility of him playing Sunday in Denver, as he would have to be asymptomatic of the virus for 48 hours and test negative on two occasions at least 24 hours apart following his positive test Friday. According to Schefter, Williams went through practice Friday before being informed of his positive test, leaving the Lions concerned that other players may have contracted the virus or be considered close contacts. The team will administer another round of testing Sunday to be sure no other players need to be added to the reserve/COVID-19 list, but with top back D'Andre Swift (shoulder) sidelined along with Williams, the Lions will likely turn to a committee of Jermar Jefferson, Godwin Igwebuike and Craig Reynolds out of the backfield.

The Titans anticipate Henry (foot) will ready to return from injured reserve as early as the team's Week 18 matchup with the Texans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Henry has been sidelined since undergoing surgery Nov. 1 to address a broken fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot after he picked up the injury a day earlier in the Titans' Week 8 win over the Colts. Initial estimates followed surgery placed Henry's recovery time at 6-to-10 weeks, and though Rapoport reports that rehab has gone well over the past month and a half, the reigning NFL rushing champion still looks to be trending toward the longer end of that timeline. Tennessee has gone 2-2 in the absence of their top back to stay atop the AFC South with an 8-4 record, and the expectation is that Henry will be feeling fresh and ready to go ahead of a potential playoff run. In the meantime, the Titans are expected to rely on a committee of D'Onta Foreman, Jeremy McNichols and Dontrell Hilliard out of the backfield for at least their next four games.

Pollard (foot), who is listed a questionable for Sunday's contest against Washington, is viewed as a game-time call, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Rapoport notes that Pollard, who didn't practice this past week after tearing the plantar fascia of his left foot in Dallas' Week 13 win over the Saints, has a chance to play, but added "there isn't a lot of optimism for it." A final decision on the running back's Week 14 status will thus arrive approximately 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, when the Cowboys release their inactive list.

Mixon (illness) is expected to play Sunday against the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

An illness led to Mixon not practicing this past week, but Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site previously relayed that coach Zac Taylor anticipated that the team's top running back would be ready to suit up versus San Francisco. Official confirmation of Mixon's Week 14 status will arrive upon the release of his team's inactives prior to Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff.

Ward was cleared of all injury designations Saturday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Ward originally suffered a concussion Nov. 19 against the Seahawks, then was placed on the COVID list on Nov. 30 while still recovering from the concussion. He cleared COVID protocols Thursday and returned to both the active roster and practice field. After getting in a full practice Saturday, Ward will suit up Monday against the Rams. He should file in behind James Conner and Eno Benjamin on the running back positional depth chart.

Reynolds was promoted to the Lions' active roster Saturday for Week 14, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports

Reynolds and recent practice squad signee Rodney Smith will provide depth with starting running backs D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams (COVID-19 protocols) both out for Sunday's game against the Broncos. Detroit is very thin at running back and will likely lean on Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson, who combined for seven carries last week against Minnesota.

Ollison was signed to the Falcons' 53-man roster Saturday.

The running back was elevated from the practice squad three times in the last five weeks and will fill a more prominent role going forward as Atlanta also waived veteran running back Wayne Gallman on Saturday. Ollison saw 14 total touches between the last two games he suited up and head coach Arthur Smith said Ollison had "earned the right for more carries" after he led the team in rushing yards (34) in Week 11. The three-year veteran should see more carries now as the team's third option behind Cordarrelle Patterson and Mike Davis.

Ahmed tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Ahmed is vaccinated, meaning he'll be eligible to return from the list once he's asymptomatic for 48 hours and submits two negative tests at least 24 hours apart. With the Dolphins on bye Week 14, Ahmed and Myles Gaskin (illness) -- who was also placed on the list Friday due to a positive test -- should both have a shot at making it back for a Dec. 19 matchup with the Jets in Week 15.

Edmonds (ankle) is expected to be a game-time decision ahead of Monday's contest against the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

It's a tricky situation as the Cardinals have until Monday at 4 p.m. ET to activate the running back. Because Edmonds currently is on injured reserve, the team doesn't have to release practice participation information, which makes it difficult to assess the likelihood of Edmonds returning for Monday's pivotal divisional matchup. The fact Kliff Kingsbury even left open the possibility of a return has to be considered a positive, though it's entirely possible the Cardinals' coach could be playing a bit of gamesmanship with the Rams.

Reynolds could find his way to the active roster Sunday against the Broncos, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

Reynolds last saw the field in 2020 with the Jaguars, but with D'Andre Swift (shoulder) out and Jamaal Williams placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, the Lions are getting thin at running back. Even if Reynolds does suit up, his workload is likely to be limited as he'll still be behind Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson on the running back depth chart.