NFL Player News

Sanders (hand) said Friday that he "absolutely" will play in Sunday's wild-card game against Tampa Bay, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Sanders fractured his hand in Week 16 and missed the final two games of the regular season after undergoing surgery. He now appears ready for the playoffs after limited participation in practices Wednesday and Thursday, with Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal noting that Sanders' media availability Friday is a strong hint that he'll be cleared for the postseason opener. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be removed from the injury report -- nor does it mean his hand is back at 100 percent -- but Sanders is at least on track to play Sunday. He draws a tough matchup against Tampa Bay's stout run defense, and the Eagles aren't likely to go out of their way to throw him passes while his hand might not be fully healed.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) wasn't spotted during the media-access portion of Friday's practice, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Edwards-Helaire didn't practice Thursday, so his absence from the early portion of Friday's session isn't the best sign with regard to his chances of suiting up for Sunday's wild-card game against the Steelers. Later Friday, the Chiefs will release their final injury report, which will add further clarity regarding Edwards-Helaire's status as well as fellow running back Darrel Williams (toe), who has been limited in practice the past two days.

Jones (ankle) won't play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jones wasn't able to practice all week before head coach Bruce Arians ruled him out Friday for the postseason opener. With Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) both hoping to come back from injured reserve this weekend -- and both shaping up as potential game-time decisions -- it's hard to discern what the Tampa Bay backfield will look like for the wild-card round. Last week, with both Jones and Fournette out, Ke'Shawn Vaughn took 12 touches for 41 yards and a touchdown, with Le'Veon Bell adding four touches for 15 yards and a score of his own in the Buccaneers' 41-17 win over Carolina. Vaughn took 45 percent of the offensive snaps in the contest, with Bell at 38 percent and Kenjon Barner taking 15 percent.

Conner (ribs) wasn't seen during the portion of Friday's practice that was open to the media, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Conner, who suffered the rib injury during the Cardinals' Week 18 loss to the Seahawks, was unable to practice Thursday and looks set to miss another session. The 26-year-will have one more opportunity Saturday to take the field ahead of Monday's wild-card matchup with the Rams.

Jones (ankle) wasn't spotted on the field during the portion of Friday's practice that was open to the media, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Jones hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury Week 17. Meanwhile, Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) remain on injured reserve but have both resumed practicing this week, though at this stage it's unclear if either tailback will be activated ahead of Saturday's deadline for roster moves. In any case, Jones seems unlikely to be available for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles, leaving Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell to handle the backfield work should Fournette and Bernard remain sidelined.

Freeman played one snap on offense and 15 on special teams in Week 18's 28-25 loss to the Titans.

Freeman dropped to the third back with the return of David Johnson from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Prior to Week 18 and without an available Johnson, he had served as the second back but never threatened Rex Burkhead for the top role. Houston's rushing offense finished last in the league, so it's expected there will be some churn in 2022. Freeman is not under contract heading into the free agency period, and if the team had plans for him, they would have used him more over the final six weeks.

Mitchell (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Mitchell followed up Wednesday's absence with some reps one day later as he continues to tend to a knee injury. He's played through the concern the past two weeks, handling at least 54 percent of snaps on both occasions and earning 44 touches. During that same stretch, JaMycal Hasty and Jeff Wilson combined for four touches on 42 plays, indicating this is Mitchell's backfield when healthy and available. While he's not 100 percent, Mitchell may have his injury designation removed when the 49ers release their final practice report of the week Friday.

Ward (knee) did not practice Thursday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

The running back was unavailable for Thursday's practice after being considered day-to-day Wednesday. Ward is dealing with a knee issue and his status at Friday's practice will provide more clarity to his chances to play Monday against the Rams.

Edmonds (ribs/toe) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

As expected, Edmonds was back on the field to begin the week of prep after missing the Cardinals' season finale against the Seahawks with a rib injury. He's now listed with a toe issue as well, but he at least managed some activity, which can't be said for either James Conner (ribs) or Jonathan Ward (knee). On Thursday, coach Kliff Kingsbury called both Edmonds and Conner game-time calls for Monday at the Rams, but the running back himself later stated he expects to play, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. How Edmonds and Conner fare in practice Friday and Saturday likely will determine their availability and likely breakdown of reps for the team's playoff opener.

Conner (ribs) was held out of Thursday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

After sitting out Weeks 16 and 17 due to a heel injury, Conner returned for the Cardinals' regular-season finale against the Seahawks and took on the bulk of the backfield work (21 touches on 59 percent snap share) before departing in the fourth quarter with a rib issue. Coach Kliff Kingsbury termed both Conner and Chase Edmonds (ribs/toe), who sat out Week 18 but was limited Wednesday, as game-time decisions for Monday's playoff opener at the Rams, according to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. With Jonathan Ward (knee) also unable to practice Wednesday, Eno Benjamin is the only healthy running back on the active roster at the moment.