NFL Player News
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J.J. Taylor RB | HOU
Patriots' J.J. Taylor: Suiting up for Week 16
Taylor (quadriceps) is active heading into Monday night's game against Buffalo.
Taylor was considered questionable coming into the divisional tilt after being kept to limited participation throughout the preceding practice week. An appearance against the Bills would represent a second in as many weeks for the 22-year-old, and a fifth total game appearance this season. Taylor, an Arizona product, saw his highest level of offensive involvement Week 3 against the Raiders when he registered 43 yards on 11 carries. He may not garner so many opportunities against Buffalo, with both Sony Michel and James White active for the AFC East showdown.
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Damien Harris RB | BUF
Patriots' Damien Harris: Inactive for MNF
Harris (ankle) is inactive for Monday night's game against the Bills.
With Harris -- who also was inactive Week 15 -- still sidelined, Sony Michel will continue to head the Patriots' Week 16 backfield, with James White set to handle pass-catching/change-of-pace work and J.J. Taylor on hand in reserve.
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Austin Walter RB | LV
49ers' Austin Walter: Removed from COVID list
Walter was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.
Walter has been residing on the reserve list since Dec. 17, but he'll now have an opportunity to rejoin the 49ers' running back stable heading into a Week 17 matchup against Seattle. The 24-year-old has fulfilled most of his duties on special teams this season, fielding 33 of his 45 total snaps in that department over three game appearances.
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Tony Pollard RB | TEN
Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Does little in Sunday's rout
Pollard carried the ball nine times for 12 yards and caught one of two targets for eight yards in Sunday's win over the Eagles.
After his 132-yard, two-TD effort Week 15, Pollard seemed poised to take on a bigger role in the Cowboys backfield, even with Ezekiel Elliott returning to action. Instead, the second-year RB faded back into the woodwork. Pollard likely will see a similar workload again Week 17 against the Giants, and while he's shown his upside he'll be a risky fantasy option.
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Trayveon Williams RB | CLE
Bengals' Trayveon Williams: Rushes twice in win
Williams rushed twice for six yards in Sunday's 37-31 win over the Texans.
Williams played just six of 76 snaps, serving as the clear No. 3 running back. Meanwhile, Giovani Bernard posted 131 yards from scrimmage, while Samaje Perine recorded 136 total yards and two scores. Williams likely will be the odd man out in the season finale against Baltimore, which boasts a much tougher run defense.
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Cordarrelle Patterson RB | PIT
Bears' Cordarrelle Patterson: Sticks to special teams
Patterson didn't play on offense in Sunday's 41-17 win over the Jaguars, JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Patterson dealt with a knee injury during the practice week, so perhaps that led to the decision to restrain his usage to just three snaps, all on special teams. The blowout nature of the game and David Montgomery's success may have been factors as well. It'll be interesting to see how Patterson is used in the season finale against the Vikings.
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Joe Mixon RB | HOU
Bengals' Joe Mixon: Ruled out for finale
Mixon (foot) will not suit up against the Ravens in Week 17, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.
Mixon won't return from IR for Sunday's game against the Ravens, priming Giovani Bernard for another start while Samaje Perine works behind him. The 24-year-old hasn't played since Week 6. Mixon concludes the 2020 campaign with 428 rushing yards (3.6 YPC) and three scores across six contests. He also secured 21 of 26 targets for 138 yards and another touchdown.
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Benny Snell RB | DET
Steelers' Benny Snell: Inefficient against Colts
Snell rushed six times for zero yards in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Colts.
Coach Mike Tomlin said during the week that Snell likely would see an increased role for the Steelers going forward, and the 2019 fourth-rounder led the team with six carries against Indianapolis. However, Snell was unable to record any yardage after topping 100 yards from scrimmage Week 15. He also received two carries inside the 5-yard line, but he couldn't reach the end zone. He'll attempt to produce more against the Browns in the regular-season finale.
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Chase Edmonds RB | WAS
Cardinals' Chase Edmonds: Deemed day-to-day
Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Edmonds (hip) is "day-to-day," Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Edmonds was forced out of Saturday's loss to the 49ers due to a hip injury, and he entered the contest with both ankle and knee issues. If Edmonds can't go against the Rams in Week 17, D.J. Foster will operate as the backup to Kenyan Drake.
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James Robinson RB | NO
Jaguars' James Robinson: Will be evaluated Wednesday
Coach Doug Marrone said Robinson (ankle) will have his swelling evaluated Wednesday to determine whether he can practice this week, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.
Robinson hasn't practiced in any capacity since injuring his ankle Week 15, and Marrone hinted that his chances of suiting up Week 17 may be slim unless Wednesday's examination goes well. Dare Ogunbowale would stand to lead Jacksonville's backfield against Indianapolis on Sunday if Robinson can't go, with Devine Ozigbo operating in the No. 2 role.