NFL Player News

Williams (quadriceps) returned to practice Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports

Williams didn't practice at all last week before sitting out the Packers' victory over the Titans. His absence cleared the way for AJ Dillon to have his coming-out party, as the rookie second-round pick tore through the Titans defense for 22 touches for 129 yards from scrimmage and two rushing scores. Top back Aaron Jones also tallied 12 touches for 108 total yards, so it'll be interesting to see how Williams is reincorporated into the Packers offense if he gains clearance for Sunday's game at Chicago.

Elliott (calf) wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports

Earlier Wednesday, there was an expectation that Elliott would be limited, as he has been for the previous three weeks while managing a bruised calf. According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, Elliott kicked off practice Wednesday by doing some resistance training on the side, seemingly backing up that assumption that he would be limited. However, Elliott managed to do enough to avoid the first practice report of Week 17 entirely. With his health seemingly not a concern, Elliott appears set to handle his typical workload of roughly 20 touches per game Sunday against the Giants.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said McCaffrey (thigh) won't play Week 17 against the Saints, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Mike Davis (ankle) is also expected to miss the game, leaving Rodney Smith, Trenton Cannon and Curtis Samuel as Carolina's tailback options. McCaffrey finishes 2020 with 374 total yards and six touchdowns in three appearances, suiting up only for Weeks 1, 2 and 9. A high-ankle sprain held him out Weeks 3 through 8, and he then injured his shoulder in his first game back. There was talk of McCaffrey returning after a Week 13 bye, until he hurt his thigh/quadriceps while rehabbing. Meanwhile, Davis was unable to maintain his early momentum, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and 5.8 per catch over the last 10 games. McCaffrey should be a popular early fantasy pick again in 2021, returning to his three-down role in a Carolina offense that at least looked competent for the majority of Rhule's debut season.

Mattison (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday, putting him on track to start Sunday's game against Detroit in place of Dalvin Cook (personal), Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Between an appendectomy and now the concussion, Mattison has missed three of Minnesota's past four games. He'll have a nice chance to end the season on a high note if he's cleared from the concussion protocol, likely stepping in as the Vikings' lead back against a Lions defense that's given up the fourth-most rushing yards per game (135.5). The Vikings also have Ameer Abdullah and Mike Boone in the backfield, but the two have combined for only 14 carries this season.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) didn't practice Wednesday, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Edwards-Helaire appears destined to miss Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chargers due to his high-ankle sprain and strained left hip, especially after head coach Andy Reid already announced that he'll sit some of his starters. With Le'Veon Bell (knee) also banged up, Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson and Elijah McGuire are all candidates for increased workloads Week 17.

Gibson (toe) didn't practice Wednesday, Kyle Stackpole of Washington's official site reports.

Gibson is listed with the same toe injury that kept him out in Weeks 14 and 15. He then returned for Sunday's loss to the Panthers, taking 10 carries for 61 yards and three catches for eight yards while playing just 30 percent of offensive snaps. The workload was disappointing relative to his pre-injury norm, but that seems to have been a matter of game script and context rather than any setback with Gibson's toe. Regardless, fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on his progress throughout the week, with Washington gearing up for a win-to-get-in game Sunday against the Eagles.

Barner (groin) was placed on IR on Wednesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Barner had replaced wide receiver Jaydon Mickens as Tampa Bay's return man for punts and kickoffs earlier this season, and the team has promoted Mickens from the practice squad to take back his old role with Barner shelved. The running back played just six snaps on offense all season, so his absence won't be felt in that aspect of the game.

Ogunbowale is expected to remain the Jaguars' starting running back Week 17 against the Colts after head coach Doug Marrone said Wednesday that James Robinson (ankle) would miss a second straight contest, John Oesher of Jacksonville's official site reports.

Heading into Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Bears, the Jaguars' plans at running back sans Robinson weren't fully known, but Ogunbowale -- who had previously been mostly limited to a passing-down role -- emerged as the team's clear lead option. Ogunbowale (39 offensive snaps, 17 touches) saw more work than backup Devine Ozigbo (11, two) by a large margin, and he was efficient with those opportunities, gaining 4.5 yards per touch. Jacksonville could elect to add another back to the roster to provide competition Week 17, but for the time being, Ogunbowale looks poised for another turn in the lead role to conclude the season.

Head coach Bruce Arians said Jones (finger) "looked good" while catching passes and taking part in other drills during Wednesday's practice, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

While he returns from the team after two weeks on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Jones is also looking to prove that his surgically repaired left finger isn't a hindrance. It'll be interesting to see if he's listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice report, which would clear the way for Jones to reclaim his usual No. 1 role out of the Tampa Bay backfield Sunday against the Falcons.

McCaffrey (thigh) was wearing a red no-contact jersey at practice Wednesday, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

Mike Davis (ankle) was also a non-contact participant in the session, an early sign that both backs are in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Saints. If both players end up sitting out the season finale, Rodney Smith would likely headline the Carolina backfield.