NFL Player News

Harris (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's playoff game against the Bills after practicing in a limited fashion this week, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The Patriots list 13 players as questionable for the contest, but of that group we suspect that Harris is among those who are closer to the 'probable' designation once utilized on NFL injury reports. To be safe, those considering Harris in fantasy lineups this weekend are advised to confirm his status ahead of Saturday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but assuming he's active he'll be in line to head the team's rushing attack versus Buffalo, with Rhamondre Stevenson on hand to see a portion of the team's early down work and Brandon Bolden available as a change-of-pace option.

Williams (toe) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Meanwhile, fellow running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) didn't practice after logging a limited session Wednesday. Friday's final injury report should add some clarity with regard to the duo's chances of suiting up for Sunday's playoff game against the Steelers, but at this point Williams' availability for the contest looks more secure than Edwards-Helaire's.

Jacobs (ribs) doesn't carry an injury designation for Saturday's playoff game against the Bengals after being listed as a limited practice participant this week, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

The same applies to tight end Darren Waller (knee), which sets the stage for the Las Vegas offense to have its key playmakers available for the team's wild-card contest. In the Raiders' 35-32 overtime win over the Chargers in Week 18, Jacobs parlayed his 57 snaps into 26 carries for a season-high 132 yards and a touchdown to go along with two catches for 12 yards. He'll continue to handle the bulk of the team's carries this weekend, with Jalen Richard available to serve in a change-of-pace role and Peyton Barber on hand in reserve.

Jones (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Jones has yet to take the field since injuring his ankle during a Week 17 win at the Jets. Elsewhere in the backfield, the Bucs are preparing both Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) for a return from injured reserve, but it remains to be seen if either will be activated by Saturday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. Assuming one or both are back on the active roster Sunday against the Eagles, he (or they) will join Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell at running back while Jones likely looks on from the sideline.

Sanders (hand) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Since fracturing his hand in the Eagles' Week 16 win over the Giants, Sanders has missed two straight games and hasn't put in a full practice. He's at least taken a step forward in terms of activity as the Eagles prepare for Sunday's wild-card game in Tampa Bay, as Sanders has now turned in consecutive limited practices to begin the week. Another limited showing wouldn't necessarily close the door on him playing Sunday, but he'll likely need to upgrade to full activity to avoid taking a designation into the weekend. If the Eagles decide Sanders' hand hasn't healed enough for him to play against the Buccaneers, the team would likely turn to a combination of Boston Scott and Jordan Howard to carry the load on the ground, while rookie Kenneth Gainwell serves as a change-of-pace option.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Edwards-Helaire was a limited participant Wednesday in the Chiefs' first practice of the week, so his absence a day later suggests the running back either received some extra maintenance or experienced a setback with his injured shoulder. If it's the latter case, Edwards-Helaire would likely be at major risk of missing his third straight game Sunday, when the Chiefs host the Steelers in the wild-card round. On a positive note, Darrel Williams (toe) was on the practice field again Thursday after joining Edwards-Helaire as a limited participant at Wednesday's session, so Kansas City should have at least one of its top two backs available for the start of the postseason.

Harris (elbow) remained a spectator for Thursday's practice, but head coach Mike Tomlin said the running back will be back on the field for Friday's session, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Tomlin mentioned that how Harris fares in Friday's workout will be telling for the rookie's availability for Sunday's wild-card game in Kansas City. Harris proved supremely durable during the regular season, approaching each of the Steelers' 17 contests without an injury designation while finishing with a league-high 381 touches (307 carries, 74 catches). However, after injuring his elbow early in Pittsburgh's Week 18 win over Baltimore, Harris could be at risk of taking a questionable tag into the playoff opener if he's anything less than a full participant at Friday's practice.

Thompson has been released from the Buccaneers' practice squad.

The move frees up a spot for the team's addition of wideout John Brown to the practice squad. Thompson had given the Bucs some added running back depth down the stretch, but he's the odd man out now that Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) appear to be nearing a return to action ahead of Tampa Bay's postseason run.

Ahmed appeared in 12 contests in 2021, recording 54 carries for 149 yards without a touchdown. He also secured 12 of 19 targets for 117 yards.

Ahmed was the least efficient member of Miami's regular backfield rotation (2.8 YPC), and he found himself a heathy scratch during the final four games of the year. As an exclusive rights free agent this offseason and with a new coaching staff eventually coming in, Ahmed's time with the team could well be nearing an end.

Homer rushed 21 times for 177 yards and a touchdown and caught 16 of 20 targets for 161 yards over 14 games during the 2021 season.

Homer mostly played on special teams this season. Both he and DeeJay Dallas rarely played on offense; Chris Carson (neck) and Alex Collins (abdomen) handled most of the reps through the first 11 games while Rashaad Penny hit his stride over the final five games. Head coach Pete Carroll doesn't seem to trust either Homer or Dallas with a consistent role, meaning both running backs will likely face competition in training camp if Penny walks in free agency and Carson isn't 100 percent for the start of the 2022 campaign.