NFL Player News

Barkley (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

There have been whispers from the media about the Giants possibly shutting Barkley down, but both team and player have suggested that's not the plan. He's simply managing his ankle injury, and while Devontae Booker may continue to steal a large chunk of the backfield snaps and touches in a struggling offense, Barkley is also expected to stay involved, barring any setbacks. Week 17 brings a trip to Chicago, where Barkley suffered his ACL tear last September.

Swift (shoulder) is expected to play in Sunday's game in Seattle, with Lions head coach Dan Campbell joking that the running back will be "shut down" after Week 18, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Campbell is poking fun at reports that suggested Swift might be held out for the final couple of games even if he was healthy enough to play. Swift may still need to prove his health on the practice field this week, but the Lions apparently are optimistic after he managed limited participation in practices last Wednesday through Friday before he was inactive for Sunday's loss to Atlanta. His return for the final two weeks would mean less work for Jamaal Williams and Craig Reynolds, even if Swift's role isn't quite as large as it was earlier in the season.

Funk carried once for minus-1 yard while playing two of the Rams' 70 offensive snaps in Sunday's 30-23 win over the Vikings.

Sony Michel carried the load for the Rams, toting the rock 27 times and leaving little work left over for anyone else. With Darrell Henderson (knee) moving to injured reserve Tuesday, Funk could be first in line to ascend to the No. 2 role Week 17 in Baltimore, but he's not likely to have a major role behind Michel. Additionally, Cam Akers (Achilles) could be ready to make his season debut this weekend, in which case Funk would be third in line for backfield work.

Cook (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday and will be available for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Back with the Vikings after sitting out last week's 30-23 loss to the Rams, Cook should be on track to return to his lead role out of the backfield in Green Bay. Some players have seen reduced workloads in their first game back from bouts with COVID-19, but Cook's return to practice early in the week helps his odds of avoiding that outcome. He initially was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Dec 23.

Kelley had five carries for seven yards and caught his lone target for 14 yards during Sunday's 41-29 loss to Houston.

Kelley played 27 percent of the offensive snaps and did little with his opportunities in the absence of Austin Ekeler (COVID-19 protocols), while Justin Jackson totaled 162 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. Ekeler is back and should reclaim the every-down role for the final two weeks of the season, but it's clear Kelley is entrenched as the No. 3 tailback with Jackson serving as the top backup option.

Evans was on the field for only three offensive snaps in the Bengals' romp over the Ravens in Week 16.

Joe Mixon's ankle held up just fine, so Evans wasn't really pressed into duty. Unless this week's game against the Chiefs gets out of hand one way or another, it'll take a Mixon injury to get Evans involved in the mix.

Perine saw just 11 snaps in Sunday's win over the Ravens, netting zero carries and two catches for six yards.

The Bengals essentially eschewed the running game in this one, not surprising given how successful Joe Burrow was throwing the ball against the Ravens' skeleton crew secondary. Moreover, Joe Mixon's ankle proved to be just fine, so there was little need for Perine to spell him.

Barner reverted to the Buccaneers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction report.

Barner played eight special teams snaps and returned five punts for 44 yards. With Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) both on injured reserve, the 32-year-old running back will likely get another elevation in Week 17.

Williams could be in line for a larger workload Sunday at Cincinnati if Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) is sidelined, ESPN.com reports.

Edwards-Helaire departed this past Sunday's win against the Steelers early in the second half and eventually was diagnosed with a bruised shoulder that has him considered week-to-week. With Kansas City milking the clock down the stretch, Williams finished with 85 yards from scrimmage on 11 carries and three catches, while Derrick Gore went for 104 yards on 12 rushes and three receptions. When Edwards-Helaire sat out Weeks 6-10, Williams was the clear beneficiary out of Kansas City's backfield, averaging 18.6 touches for 94 yards per game while scoring three TDs, but with their top RB potentially down this time, the team may operate more of a timeshare between Williams and Gore to ensure the health of both with the postseason now in sight.

Coach Mike Zimmer said Monday that he hopes Cook (illness) clears league protocols and is activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game at Green Bay, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Cook tested positive for the virus last Thursday, and as an unvaccinated player he immediately entered into a 10-day quarantine. He missed a Week 16 loss to the Rams as a result, but if he follows the precedent set by backfield mate Alexander Mattison, who spent Dec. 13-22 on the COVID-19 list as an unvaccinated player, Cook should return to the active roster Saturday. Assuming he does so, Cook would face a Packers defense Sunday that allowed him to go for 115 yards from scrimmage and one TD on 25 touches back in Week 11.