NFL Player News

Brightwell was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Dan Duggan of The Athletic confirms that Brightwell actually tested positive for COVID-19, but the rookie running back has evidently recovered. If any lingering effects of the virus don't prevent Brightwell from suiting up Monday in Tampa Bay, his role will depend on the health of Saquon Barkley (ankle) and Devontae Booker (hip), who are both well above Brightwell in New York's backfield pecking order when healthy.

Patterson was diagnosed with a sprained ankle coming out of the Falcons' Week 10 loss to the Cowboys and appears unlikely to be ready to play Thursday against the Patriots, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

According to Pelissero, Patterson still is receiving further evaluation of the ankle injury, but the early news surrounding the running back's availability for a quick turnaround Week 11 doesn't appear promising. Though Atlanta never officially ruled Patterson out of their game against Dallas, Patterson's ankle injury likely explains why he handled only five touches (four carries, one reception) and played just 28 percent of the offensive snaps in the 43-3 loss. Unless Patterson makes a speedier recovery than anticipated, the Falcons likely will rely on the tandem of Wayne Gallman and Mike Davis to lead their ground attack against New England.

Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Jefferson (ankle) could miss time due to his injury, Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reports.

Jefferson had to be carted off the field in the first half of Sunday's game against Pittsburgh after he sustained his injury. While Campbell indicated that the running back's injury isn't as serious as the team initially believed, he still could be forced to miss time. If Jefferson and Jamaal Williams (thigh) are sidelined Sunday against Cleveland, Godwin Igwebuike likely will operate as the No. 2 running back behind D'Andre Swift.

Dillon is expected to serve as the Packers' lead back in Sunday's game against the Vikings after starter Aaron Jones (knee) was diagnosed Monday with a mild MCL sprain that will likely sideline him for 1-to-2 weeks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Green Bay has yet to provide an official update on Jones' condition, but the fifth-year back appears on track to miss his first game of the season after suffering the injury in question in the Packers' 17-0 win over the Seahawks this past weekend. Following Jones' departure, Dillon dominated the work out of the backfield and finished with 128 yards from scrimmage and two TDs on 23 touches (21 carries, two receptions). While he's a less accomplished receiver than Jones and may not hold as sizable of a role on obvious passing downs, Dillon's combination of size (6-foot, 247 pounds) and burst makes him one of the NFL's better No. 2 options. Moreover, the lack of established depth behind him should leave Dillon primed to handle a heavy workload against the Vikings, making him an excellent starting option in just about any weekly league. In Dillon's lone other opportunity in a leading role back in Week 16 of last season against the Titans while Jones was limited with a toe injury and No. 2 option Jamaal Williams was sidelined with a quad injury, the Boston College product amassed 129 total yards and two scores on 22 touches.

Hines had two carries for 12 yards and two receptions for 17 yards on four targets in Sunday's 23-17 win over Jacksonville.

After a big game last week against the Jets (a TD and 108 total yards), Hines was back to his more modest role in the offense. He played on just 18 of the offense's 64 snaps as Jonathan Taylor had a season-high 21 carries. Hines is capable of big games when Indy needs to throw the ball, which wasn't the case Sunday when playing from a large lead.

Coach Andy Reid said Monday that Edwards-Helaire (knee) has a "good chance" to return Sunday against the Cowboys, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Edwards-Helaire was designated to return from injured reserve last week but was unable to suit up in the team's Week 10 win over the Raiders. However, Reid sounded more optimistic about the running back's status ahead of Sunday's matchup against Dallas. The 22-year-old made five appearances prior to sustaining his injury, logging 65 carries for 304 yards while hauling in eight of 10 targets for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

Mattison had four carries for 16 yards and one reception for 24 yards in Sunday's 27-20 win at the Chargers.

Mattison isn't getting many touches with Dalvin Cook healthy, but his 24-yard reception was a key play in the game. He played just 12 snaps on offense as he has a limited backup role with Cook at full strength. Mattison eclipsed 100 rushing yards in both spot starts when Cook has sat out this season, so he's still one of the more valuable backups in the league.

Clement carried the ball six times for 20 yards and caught his only target for five yards in Sunday's 43-3 win over the Falcons.

It was the most work the former Eagle has seen in a game yet for the Cowboys, but Clement's touches came in the fourth quarter of a blowout win. As long as Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard are healthy, Clement's primary value to Dallas will come on special teams.

Taylor, who was on the field for 13 of a possible 67 snaps on offense in Sunday's 45-7 win over the Browns, carried six times for 11 yards in the contest, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor, who had been a healthy scratch Weeks 8 and 9, rejoined the Patriots' backfield mix Sunday, with Damien Harris (concussion) unavailable. In the process, Taylor worked behind Rhamondre Stevenson (37 snaps, 20 carries and four catches), while Brandon Bolden recorded 18 snaps en route to logging three carries and three catches. Whether Taylor suits up for Thursday night's game against the Falcons likely hinges on Harris' status, but either way he's a hit-or-miss fantasy option, while working in a complementary role.

Penny didn't record a snap in Sunday's 17-0 loss to the Packers.

Penny recorded 16 yards on 13 carries over the previous two games, and the Seahawks don't have any more leeway to experiment with the 2018 first-round pick if they want to make a real playoff push. Alex Collins and Travis Homer handled all the backfield reps instead. Penny could be in healthy scratch territory if Chris Carson (neck) returns.