NFL Player News

Jones (chest), who was unable to return to Sunday's 31-26 loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game, is uncertain to return for the Packers in 2021, Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports.

Jones didn't retake the field after suffering a hard hit from Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (shoulder), a play that resulted in a crucial fumble on the opening drive of the third quarter. He finished Sunday's loss with just six carries for 27 yards and four catches for seven yards. Now having reached the end of his rookie contract, Jones is on track to hit the free-agent market this offseason unless he comes to terms on a new deal with the Packers. Demovsky reports that Green Bay offered Jones, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, a deal that would make him one of "the top-five highest paid running backs in terms of average per year," but includes minimal guaranteed money. With Jamaal Williams also having reached the end of his rookie deal, the stage could be set for 2020 second-round pick AJ Dillon to take over as the top dog in Green Bay's backfield next season.

Edwards-Helaire registered seven yards and one touchdown on six carries while catching one of two targets for zero yards during Sunday's 38-24 win against Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game.

The first-round rookie back hadn't appeared in a game since Week 15, having been beleaguered by a left ankle sprain and a left hip strain suffered during the Chiefs' win over New Orleans. Edwards-Helaire was a limited participant throughout the practice week, however, and he ultimately showed enough to the training staff to earn his first career playoff nod. While Le'Veon Bell (knee) was deemed inactive Sunday, Darrel Williams paced the backfield in carries (13) and rushing yards (52) while registering Kansas City's only other rushing score of the evening. Edwards-Helaire may have more of a role in the Super Bowl, as he'll be afforded two weeks to recuperate further before a Sunday, Feb. 7 matchup against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay, the first team in league history to host a Super Bowl at its home stadium, boasts the NFL's most prohibitive rush defense.

Williams ran the ball 13 times for 52 yards and a touchdown while securing his only target for nine yards during Sunday's 38-24 win against Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) was healthy enough to suit up for his first game appearance since Week 15, and he remained active throughout Sunday's playoff tilt. Williams paced the backfield in carries and rushing yards for a second straight outing, however, helping provide Kansas City back-to-back Super Bowl berths by way of his second-quarter TD run. Williams and the Chiefs' running back committee will have to contend with Tampa Bay's top-ranked rush defense, which held opponents to 82.2 yards per game during the regular season while containing Green Bay to just 67 yards in the NFC Championship Game.

Jones rushed 10 times for 16 yards and did not receive a target during the Buccaneers' 31-26 win over the Packers in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

Jones once again played second fiddle to Leonard Fournette, who logged a total of 17 touches. He also averaged three yards less per carry than Fournette's 4.6, and Jones' complete lack of a role in the passing game seems to further cement the fact the two backs have swapped places on the depth chart ahead of a Super Bowl LV matchup versus either the Bills or Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 7.

Jones was forced out of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Buccaneers due to a chest injury.

As long as Jones is sidelined, Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon are next up for Green Bay's carries versus Tampa Bay.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) is listed as active for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Fellow running back Le'Veon Bell (knee) is inactive, so the availability of Edwards-Helaire -- who hasn't played since Week 15 -- is a welcome one for Kansas City. However, with Darrel Williams also on hand and having run well in last weekend's divisional-round win over the Browns, it remains to be how much action Edwards-Helaire will be in line to see Sunday. How Edwards-Helaire's ankle responded during warmups, as well as game flow figure to be key factors in how that plays out against Buffalo.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) is expected to be available for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Meanwhile, fellow running back Le'Veon Bell (knee) isn't expected to play in the contest. If Edwards-Helaire -- who hasn't played since Week 15 -- indeed gains clearance ahead of the 6:40 p.m. ET kickoff, how much action he'd be in line to see is uncertain, with Schefter noting that the rookie's workload will depend on how he feels in pregame warmups. Should Edwards-Helaire end up sitting out versus Buffalo or handling only a limited role, Darrel Williams would continue to see expanded duties out of the Kansas City backfield.

Hasty played in seven games during his rookie season, finishing with 148 rushing yards and a touchdown on 39 carries and 33 more yards on seven receptions.

San Francisco protected Hasty on its practice squad to begin the year, and the undrafted rookie was quickly called upon after several injuries opened up playing time. The 24-year-old wasn't asked to do too much, but he was able to display his shiftiness and soft hands in limited action. The 49ers will have decisions to make regarding a couple of aging veteran backs this offseason, so Hasty may have an opportunity to earn a backfield rotation spot (or at least another shot on the practice squad) during training camp.

Jones (quad/finger) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Green Bay, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

After a setback with his quad injury kept him on the sideline for the wild-card round, Jones reentered the mix for last week's 30-20 win over New Orleans, taking 13 carries for 62 yards on 29 percent snap share. Leonard Fournette had 17 carries and five catches on 68 percent of snaps, but he mostly worked behind Jones when both were healthy during the regular season.

Williams (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

A limited practice participant throughout the week, Williams never appeared in serious danger of missing the NFC Championship Game. He handled a 37 percent snap share in a divisional-round win over Los Angeles last week, taking 12 carries for 65 yards.