NFL Player News

Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Akers (Achilles) has a chance to return to action Sunday in Baltimore, J.B. Long of the Los Angeles Rams Radio Network reports.

The Rams sustained yet another hit to their backfield Sunday in Minnesota, where Darrell Henderson went down with a knee injury and was unable to return. McVay relayed Henderson suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee and is poised for a stint on injured reserve, which may have precipitated his ensuing comments about Akers. The second-year running back has made an unprecedented recovery from the torn Achilles he sustained just before training camp back in July, as evidenced by L.A. activating him from the reserve/non-football injury list Saturday. Akers was held out of Week 15 action, but his activity in practice this week could set him up for his season debut Sunday. With all of Henderson, Xavier Jones (Achilles) and Raymond Calais (foot) on IR, Sony Michel, Jake Funk and Buddy Howell are the healthy RBs on the team's active roster.

Ahmed is inactive for Monday night's game against the Saints.

With Ahmed inactive, the Dolphins' Week 16 running back corps will be comprised of Duke Johnson, Myles Gaskin, Phillip Lindsay and Jordan Scarlett.

Ekeler has been activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list, per the NFL's official transaction report.

With Ekeler back in the mix and in line to reclaim his starting running back duties, look for Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley to revert to their usual complementary roles when the Chargers face the Broncos on Sunday.

Washington wasn't activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to the Saints' deadline for Week 16 roster moves and won't be available for Monday's game against the Dolphins, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Though he's listed as a running back, Washington makes his biggest for the Saints as a core member of their special-teams units, so his absence won't mean much from a fantasy standpoint. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday and should have decent odds of getting cleared for the Saints' Week 17 game against the Panthers.

Clement carried the ball four times for 18 yards in Sunday's 56-14 win over Washington.

Clement played on just seven of the Cowboys' 73 offensive snaps in the contest. The veteran's biggest play, however, came on specials teams when he blocked a punt that was recovered for a Dallas touchdown. Corey Clement should continue to operate as the team's No. 3 back behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard going forward, limiting his ability to produce for fantasy purposes.

Gainwell caught his only target for six yards in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Giants.

The rookie played just two offensive snaps in the game, even after Miles Sanders (hand) and Jordan Howard (neck) left early. With Sanders already ruled out for Week 17 and Howard questionable, however, Gainwell and Boston Scott should each see more work against Washington.

Coach Kliff Kingsbury considers Conner (heel) day-to-day as of Monday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

The Cardinals held Conner out of practice last week so he could rest his heel issue. All along, though, both the running back and the team were optimistic he'd be able to play through the injury. In the end, Conner didn't heal enough to suit up Saturday against the Colts, which gave the keys to the backfield to Chase Edmonds. Edmonds ended up reeling off 127 yards from scrimmage and one TD on 24 touches, or a similar workload to what Conner handled when he was the unquestioned back during the former's four-game stint on injured reserve. Conner could set himself on a path to return by mixing into practice Wednesday through Friday.

Scott rushed 12 times for 41 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Giants.

Scott saw just one carry in the first half but took the ball into the end zone from three yards out to break a 3-3 tie early in the third quarter after Jordan Howard had rushed three straight times. The 26-year-old's final seven totes came with the Eagles in clock-killing mode at the end of the game. However, with Miles Sanders set to miss at least a game with a broken hand and Howard also recovering from a stinger, Scott and Kenneth Gainwell could see a lot more work in Week 17 against Washington.

Edwards-Helaire has been diagnosed with a bruised shoulder in the aftermath of Sunday's win against the Steelers and is considered week-to-week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

What was initially believed to be a collarbone injury actually has been deemed to be his shoulder, which includes residual swelling. According to Schefter, it'll be tough for Edwards-Helaire to make himself available for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, but there is a possibility he'll be able to do so. Edwards-Helaire likely will need to join his teammates on the practice field at some point Wednesday through Friday to give himself a chance to play. In any case, the health concern isn't considered to be season-ending, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Darrel Williams and Derrick Gore will pick up the slack out of the Chiefs backfield if Edwards-Helaire is limited or out this weekend.

Jacksonville placed Robinson (Achilles) on injured reserve Monday.

Robinson suffered a torn left Achilles in Sunday's loss to the Jets, spelling an end to his 2021 season. He'll likely undergo surgery in the coming days, and given the timeline associated with Achilles injuries Robinson's absence could stretch into the start of the 2022 campaign. While Robinson is out for Weeks 17 and 18, Dare Ogunbowale is expected to headline Jacksonville's backfield. The Jaguars also have practice squad member Nathan Cottrell, Ryquell Armstead and Mekhi Sargent on hand as depth options.