NFL Player News
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D'Andre Swift RB | CHI
Lions' D'Andre Swift: No practice Wednesday
Swift (shoulder) didn't participate in Wednesday's walk-through practice.
His absence comes as no surprise after head coach Dan Campbell gave a non-update on Swift earlier Wednesday, telling Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com that the running is "improving" but otherwise doesn't have a timeline for a return. With one absence under Swift's belt and potentially another to come Sunday in Denver, the Lions again may be forced to rely on Jamaal Williams, Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson out of the backfield Week 14.
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Ezekiel Elliott RB | LAC
Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott: Puts in full practice Wednesday
Elliott (knee) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.
Last Friday, Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy relayed Elliott has been operating under a rep count for the last month as the team manages the knee issue he picked up back in Week 4. When the Cowboys opened Week 14 prep Wednesday, Elliott was seen on a stationary bike at the start of practice while Tony Pollard worked with the training staff on the side, according to Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News. Ultimately, Pollard didn't participate due to a foot injury, and Elliott logged every rep with the first-team offense. Elliott later told Gehlken that his knee should be back to 100 percent in 3-to-4 weeks, but with Pollard now hurt the former may be in store for a bigger workload Sunday in Washington. Beyond Elliott and Pollard, Corey Clement is the other running back on the active roster.
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Tony Pollard RB | TEN
Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Doesn't practice due to foot issue
Pollard didn't practice Wednesday due to a foot injury, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.
At the media-access portion of the session, Pollard was contained to working with the team's training staff, while Ezekiel Elliott (knee) rode a stationary bike, according to Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News. While that was the extent of Pollard's activity, Elliott was considered a full participant. With Pollard's health compromised at the moment, his status will be of keen interest as the Cowboys continue preparing for a Week 14 game at Washington. Behind Elliott and Pollard, Corey Clement is the other healthy running back on the active roster.
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Saquon Barkley RB | PHI
Giants' Saquon Barkley: Limited Wednesday
Barkley (ankle) was a limited participant at Wednesday's walk-through session, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
Barkley has returned to his typical workload the past two games, sitting between 75 and 86 percent snap shares while turning 34 touches into 127 yards from scrimmage. His inclusion on Wednesday's report likely is maintenance-related more than anything, but his status now will need to be monitored as the week goes on.
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Alvin Kamara RB | NO
Saints' Alvin Kamara: Likely practicing , could play
Kamara (knee) is expected to practice Wednesday and could return to the lineup for Sunday's game against the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Kamara's potential return from a four-game absence would be excellent timing for the Saints after his top understudy, Mark Ingram, landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday. The 26-year-old last played in a game Nov. 7 against Atlanta, with his subsequent absence due to a knee sprain opening up playing time for Ingram, Ty Montgomery and Tony Jones at various points over the past month.
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Jeff Wilson RB | MIA
49ers' Jeff Wilson: Practicing on limited basis
Wilson (knee) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Meanwhile, lead back Elijah Mitchell (knee/concussion) will sit out the first session of Week 14, potentially leaving Wilson in line to pick up a start Sunday against Cincinnati if he can move past what head coach Kyle Shanahan termed as a flareup of his surgically repaired knee. Both Wilson and Mitchell succumbed to their respective knee injuries in last week's loss to the Seahawks, and while neither back looks to be dealing with a serious concern, Mitchell has just six days to clear concussion protocol after entering it Monday. JaMycal Hasty and Kyle Jusczyk are the healthy backfield options on the active roster, with both primarily restricted to passing-down work despite the 49ers' numerous and never-ending injuries at the position.
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Elijah Mitchell RB | PHI
49ers' Elijah Mitchell: Bothered by knee after concussion
Mitchell is dealing with knee irritation in addition to a concussion, and he won't practice Wednesday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that an MRI came back clean, but it's still unclear if the knee issue alone would've been enough to hold Mitchell out of practice had he not entered concussion protocol just two days earlier. Either way, his absence Wednesday comes as no surprise, nor does the conclusion that he's in at least some danger of missing Sunday's game against the Bengals. The good news for San Francisco is that Jeff Wilson (knee) managed a limited practice Wednesday, joining JaMycal Hasty to give the team two tailbacks (plus FB Kyle Juszczyk) at practice.
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Melvin Gordon RB | BAL
Broncos' Melvin Gordon: Back at practice
Gordon (hip/shoulder) will practice in a limited fashion Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Gordon didn't practice at all last week before sitting out Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, so he's seemingly taking a step in the right direction as the Broncos begin Week 14 prep. If he's able to to return to action this weekend against the Lions, Gordon would likely be part of a backfield timeshare with rookie Javonte Williams, who thrived while filling a workhorse role last week for the first time in his young career.
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Dalvin Cook RB | DAL
Vikings' Dalvin Cook: Questionable for Thursday
Cook (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Steelers.
After sitting out Monday's walk-through session, Cook returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since picking up a dislocated left shoulder Week 12 against the 49ers. He was listed as a limited participant in that session and again on Wednesday's estimated practice report, giving him a chance to play Week 14. Cook's status will be confirmed, one way or another, about 90 minutes before Thursday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. If Cook is unable to suit up, Alexander Mattison would be in line for significant work out of the Vikings backfield for a second straight week, with Kene Nwangwu and fullback C.J. Ham available for any touches that linger.
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D'Andre Swift RB | CHI
Lions' D'Andre Swift: No update yet on potential return
Head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that Swift (shoulder) is "improving" in his recovery from an AC joint sprain, but he wouldn't provide an update on his potential to return, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
The Lions held a walk-through session to kick off Week 14 prep, but Swift doesn't sound like he was on the field with his backfield mates. The second-year running back already has missed one game as a result of the injury, and there's a chance he's poised for another absence Sunday at Denver if he can't get back on the practice field by Friday. At the moment, Jamaal Williams, Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson are the healthy backs on Detroit's active roster.