NFL Player News

Harris rushed 20 times for 94 yards and a touchdown and brought in all three targets for 10 yards and another score in the Steelers' 36-28 loss to the Vikings on Thursday night.

Harris, like the rest of the Steelers offense, got off to a completely forgettable start over the first two quarters. However, the rookie turned it around during a second half in which Pittsburgh nearly pulled off an improbable comeback, with Harris playing a key role by finding the end zone on a three-yard scoring grab and one-yard touchdown run in the third and fourth quarter, respectively. Harris has now exceeded 100 scrimmage yards in back-to-back contests, and his rushing yardage Thursday served as the third-highest of his career thus far. The 2021 first-round pick's next chance to enhance his impressive resume comes versus the Titans in a Week 15 battle a week from Sunday.

Cook (shoulder) rushed 27 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns and brought in one of three targets for 17 yards in the Vikings' 36-28 win over the Steelers on Thursday night.

Cook set the tone for his prolific night with a 20-yard run on his first carry, and he went on to add 29- and seven-yard touchdown scampers before halftime. The fifth-year back looked completely unhampered by the shoulder injury that had caused his Week 13 absence, and his yardage tally was just a yard short of the career-best 206 he accumulated against the Lions back in Week 9 of last season. Cook will now have some extra days to rest and heal up further before a Week 15 NFC North clash against the Bears a week from Monday night.

Wilson (knee) practiced in full Thursday.

Wilson hurt his knee this past Sunday at Seattle, but after logging a limited session Wednesday he managed every practice rep one day later. He's put himself in a position to be utilized out of the 49ers backfield this Sunday at Cincinnati in the event Elijah Mitchell needs time off due to a concussion and a knee issue. If Mitchell doesn't make it through the protocol for head injuries, San Francisco will turn to Wilson and JaMycal Hasty as its main running backs Week 14. On the season, Wilson has averaged just 2.7 yards on his 31 carries and hauled in two of three targets for 10 yards in four appearances.

Mitchell (concussion/knee) was held out of practice Thursday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After taking an elbow to the helmet this past Sunday in Seattle, Mitchell was checked for a head injury but cleared to return, finishing the game with 25 touches on an 86 percent share of offensive snaps. But he reported concussion symptoms Monday, and his absence from Wednesday's session was attributed to that and "knee irritation." The pair of health concerns may combine to contribute to Mitchell's fourth missed game of the season Sunday in Cincinnati, but fortunately for the running back he has one more chance to get on the practice field this week. If he's unable to go this weekend, Mitchell likely will yield the backfield to some combination of Jeff Wilson (knee) and JaMycal Hasty.

Mattison will welcome back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) to the Vikings backfield for Thursday's game against the Steelers.

Mattison is coming off his third spot start of the season for Cook in which he took 25 touches for 124 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD during this past Sunday's loss at Detroit. With Cook back in the lineup and wearing a harness on his previously dislocated left shoulder, there's a chance Mattison spells Cook at times to ease the pressure on Minnesota's top running back. Still, when Cook has been available this season, Mattison has averaged just five touches per game.

Cook (shoulder) is listed as active Thursday against the Steelers.

Cook thus will miss just one game as a result of the dislocated left shoulder that he sustained during a Week 12 loss at San Francisco. He'll operate with a shoulder harness, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Cook wore such a device in the Vikings' wild-card win against the Saints in January 2020, when he went off for 130 yards from scrimmage and two rushing TDs on 31 touches. In any case, he'll push Alexander Mattison down the pecking order in the Vikings backfield, but the latter still may have a role in the offense.

McFarland is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Vikings.

McFarland remains the odd man out of the Steelers backfield Week 14, with Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage in line to continue to serve as the team's backup options behind top back Najee Harris.

Ekeler (ankle) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Though Ekeler has logged back-to-back limited practice sessions, so far there's been nothing to suggest that he's in much danger of missing Sunday's game against the Giants. Friday's final injury report will reveal whether the Chargers' lead back heads into the weekend with an injury designation or fully cleared for Week 14 action.

Williams (calf) was able to log another limited practice Thursday.

The 29-year-old practiced for the second day in a row, raising his chances to play in Week 14 against the Packers. Williams has been inactive since Week 8; if he's able to go Sunday, he will likely operate as the team's third option at running back behind David Montgomery (shoulder) and Khalil Herbert.

Montgomery (shoulder/groin/glute) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Montgomery's absence Wednesday may have been maintenance-related due to the array of health concerns he's dealing with at the moment. On a positive note, he got back on the practice field Thursday and now has one more chance to prove his health ahead of Sunday's game at Green Bay. Whether or not Montgomery enters the weekend with a designation will be revealed on Friday's injury report.