NFL Player News

Hasty and Jeff Wilson will serve as the 49ers' main running backs Sunday in Cincinnati with Elijah Mitchell (concussion) ruled out, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Like Wilson, Hasty has dealt with his own injury concerns this season, playing in just six of 12 possible contests. Overall, he's averaged 3.7 yards on his 13 carries, hauled in 13 of 18 targets for 91 yards and scored a rushing TD. As for Wilson, he has 31 rushes and two receptions in four appearances. Considering the respective touch counts, Hasty may be used more on passing downs while Wilson handles early down and short-yardage work this weekend.

Wilson and JaMycal Hasty will be the 49ers' primary running backs Sunday at Cincinnati with both Elijah Mitchell (concussion/knee) and Trenton Cannon (concussion) ruled out for the contest, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The opportunity is there for Wilson to make an impact out of San Francisco's backfield, but he's coming off a game in which he lasted just one play on offense and 11 on special teams last Sunday at Seattle when he dinged up his surgically repaired knee. Since making his season debut Week 10, he's averaged 2.7 yards on his 31 carries and recorded two catches (on three targets) for 10 yards in four games. Considering Hasty has been more of a pass-catching threat this season -- he has 13 rushes and caught 13 of 18 targets -- Wilson may earn more of the early down and short-yardage work of the two players.

Igwebuike, Jermar Jefferson and practice-squad player Craig Reynolds appear to be the Lions' three backfield options for Sunday's game in Denver, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

D'Andre Swift (shoulder) has been ruled out and Jamaal Williams was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. Last week, Igwebuike got most of the passing-down work in a 29-27 win over the Vikings, though his 39 percent snap share led to only two carries and two targets, while Williams took 17 carries for 71 yards (on 47 percent snap share) and Jefferson got five carries and one target on 11 percent of snaps. That arguably hints at Jefferson being the lead runner Sunday while Igwebuike gets most of the passing snaps, but it's hard to know for sure, with potential complicating factors including Reynolds coming up from the practice squad and Jefferson's bout with an illness this week (he missed practice Wednesday and Thursday but returned to full participation Friday and was cleared from the final report).

Ekeler (ankle) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Giants after practicing fully Friday.

Ekeler thus is in line to continue to serve as the Chargers' clear-cut top back this weekend, a fantasy-friendly role that through 12 games has resulted in him scoring 15 total TDs, while averaging 12.4 carries for 55.3 yards and 4.7 catches for 43.2 yards per contest. He figures to remain busy against New York on Sunday, especially with PPR ace Keenan Allen (reserve/COVID-19 list) slated to be out this weekend.

The Broncos placed Boone on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday due to a positive test for the virus, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

As a result, Boone won't be available Sunday against the Lions. The Broncos list Melvin Gordon (hip/shoulder) as questionable for Week 14, so if he ends up sitting a second game in a row, Damarea Crockett would be the only other running back on the active roster behind rookie second-rounder Javonte Williams.

Coach Pete Carroll said Friday that he expects Penny to "be a big part" of the Seahawks' offensive game plan Sunday at Houston, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Penny will welcome back Alex Collins (abdomen), who was held out Week 13. The development leaves Collins, Penny and DeeJay Dallas to man the backfield for Seattle, with Travis Homer (calf/hamstring) ruled out and Adrian Peterson not a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad due to a back injury. Penny earned his largest workload of the season last Sunday versus the 49ers, turning a 40 percent snap share into 10 carries for 35 yards and one catch (on one target) for 27 yards. Carroll's comment implies Penny may supplant Collins as the Seahawk running back to receive the most touches Sunday, but it remains to be seen if that comes to pass.

Jefferson (illness) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Denver, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Jefferson was affected by the flu outbreak going around the Lions' locker room, with the Lions holding him out of drills Thursday. But he was able to handle every practice rep to cap the week and set himself up to be available Sunday. The same can't be said for D'Andre Swift, who is missing a second consecutive game due to an AC joint sprain, and Jamaal Williams, whom the Lions placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. With Swift and Williams sidelined this weekend, Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike will handle running back duties for Detroit.

Barkley (ankle) isn't on the injury report for Sunday's game in Los Angeles, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Barkley will face one of the league's worst run defenses and is probably healthier than the Giants' other key playmakers, but it's been tough sledding all year for both him and Devontae Booker, running behind a subpar O-line while also dealing with poor QB play. That's especially true with Daniel Jones (neck) out for at least one more week, with backup Mike Glennon set for another spot start after clearing concussion protocol. Barkley's workload keeps him locked in as a starter in nearly any fantasy format, coming off 11 carries and nine targets on 75 percent snap share in last week's 20-9 loss at Miami.

The Dolphins placed Gaskin on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

Per Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald, Gaskin is vaccinated, which means his placement on the list was the result of a positive test. He'll be eligible to come off the list once he's asymptomatic for a 48-hour period and submits two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart. The Dolphins are on bye Week 14, giving Gaskin a good chance at clearing the necessary protocols before the team's next contest Dec. 19 against the Jets.

Homer (calf/hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Houston, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

After logging a limited practice Wednesday, Homer didn't get on the field at all Thursday and subsequently will miss his second contest of the season. He hasn't received much work anyway when available, with just 19 touches and 131 offensive snaps in 11 games. With Homer out, Alex Collins, Rashaad Penny and DeeJay Dallas will man the Seahawks backfield Week 14.