NFL Player News

Harris (elbow) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Head coach Mike Tomlin previously said that Harris -- who suffered an elbow injury during the Steelers' Week 18 win over the Ravens but was able to return to the game -- would likely have his reps managed in practice to begin the week, so the running back's absence Wednesday isn't surprising. Harris' status will be worth monitoring ahead of Sunday's playoff game against Kansas City, with Tomlin noting that the team will let Harris' "practice participation and how he feels be our guide as we get closer to game time." Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage are next up for reps out of the backfield while Harris manages his elbow issue.

Mitchell (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mitchell came back from a three-game absence and took 44 touches over the final two weeks of the regular season, but he's still bothered by his knee, with head coach Kyle Shanahan saying Monday that the running back's practice reps could be limited. The rookie is still expected to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Cowboys, assuming he gets back on the practice field Thursday or Friday without any setbacks.

Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday that Ward (knee) is considered day-to-day, Dana Scott of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ward's status for the wild-card matchup with the Rams wouldn't mean much by itself, but it's big news given the Cardinals' two primary running backs -- James Conner (ribs/heel) and Chase Edmonds (ribs/toe) -- are both considered day-to-day as well. However, Kingsbury did add that all three will be tested during Thursday's practice, which should give a better indication of their statuses' for Monday.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury expects Edmonds (ribs) to be tested at Thursday's practice, Dana Scott of The Arizona Republic reports.

Kingsbury put Edmonds, James Conner (ribs/heel) and Jonathan Ward (knee) in the same category Wednesday, labeling them all as day-to-day and suggesting they would at least try to practice Thursday. Ideally, the Cardinals want Edmonds and Conner in a timeshare, but they've only had one or the other available throughout most of the second half of the season. That was the case Week 18 against Seattle with Edmonds sidelined by the rib injury, only for Conner to depart in the fourth quarter with a similar issue. With Ward also banged up, Eno Benjamin is the only healthy back on Arizona's roster as of mid-week. The Cardinals have a bit of extra time with their upcoming playoff game against the Rams scheduled for Monday.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury considers Conner (ribs/heel) day-to-day, saying Wednesday that the running back will be tested at Thursday's practice, Dana Scott of The Arizona Republic reports.

Conner missed Weeks 16 and 17 with a heel injury, then hurt his ribs in the fourth quarter of the Week 18 loss to Seattle. He thus appears uncertain for Monday's wild-card matchup with the Rams, though there's some opportunity for a huge workload if he recovers quickly. Fellow Cardinals running backs Chase Edmonds (ribs/toe) and Jonathan Ward (knee) also are day-to-day with injuries, with neither looking like a safe bet to suit up for the postseason opener.

Williams (toe) and fellow Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) both took the field for Wednesday's practice, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Williams' presence on the field supports the notion that he avoided a serious injury when he was removed from the Chiefs' Week 18 win over Denver. However, his role may nonetheless be set to decline, with Edwards-Helaire also hoping to suit up for Sunday's wild-card game against the Steelers, after missing the final two games of the regular season.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) was spotted at practice Wednesday, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Both Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams (toe) were present for the Chiefs' first practice of the week, which bodes well for the chances of both backs being available for Sunday's wild-card game against the Steelers. That said, Edwards-Helaire -- who last suited up Week 16 -- will probably need to practice fully by Friday in order to avoid heading into the weekend with an injury designation.

Head coach Bruce Arians said Wednesday that he considers Jones (ankle) doubtful for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Even in the unlikely event he manages to play, Jones might not have much of a role with both Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (knee/hip) designated to return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday. The Bucs also have Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell as backfield options in case Fournette and Bernard don't show enough progress in practice to gain clearance for the postseason opener.

Jones (knee) practiced Wednesday, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Jones' participation in practice is a solid sign that he would have played in the team's Week 18 loss to the Lions if the Packers hadn't already clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed prior to the contest. As is, Jones sat out for just the second time all season, and he's now on track to return for a divisional-round matchup against either the Rams, Cardinals, 49ers or Eagles, depending on what happens in the wild-card round.

Perine did not play a single offensive snap in Sunday's 21-16 loss to the Browns.

Perine was reported to be the Bengals' starting running back in Week 18 with Joe Mixon on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but this never came to fruition. Instead, Perine failed to log an offensive snap while playing 16 snaps on special teams. Fellow running backs Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams carried the load for Cincinnati in the season finale. Perine finished the season with 55 rushes for 246 yards and one touchdown, adding 27 catches for 196 yards and a score. The 26-year-old is under contract through the 2022 season and will become a free agent in the following year. Though he likely won't find himself as a starter barring injury, he has proven to be a more than capable backup when called upon. With a wild-card playoff matchup against the Raiders upcoming, Perine will likely serve as the team's top backup with Mixon healthy.