NFL Player News

McFarland recorded one carry for five yards while bringing in his lone target for nine yards in Monday's 27-17 loss to the Bengals.

McFarland was expected to play a modest role for Pittsburgh on Monday after James Conner (quadriceps) was ruled out for the contest, and he was only on the field for seven offensive snaps in the loss. The rookie was a healthy scratch for the Steelers in Week 14, and he's unlikely to see a major uptick in usage over the final few weeks of the season.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin hinted Tuesday that Snell may continue to have a sizable role in the team's offensive game plan Week 16 against the Colts, even if James Conner (quadriceps) is available for the contest, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports. "You gotta admit Benny was an awesome element in a game that didn't have many," Tomlin said, in reference to Monday's 27-17 loss to the Bengals. "[Snell will] have the opportunity to be impactful [Week 16]."

While Conner was inactive Monday, Snell stepped in as Pittsburgh's lead back and was one of the few bright spots in the disappointing loss, rushing 18 times for 84 yards and a score and catching three of four targets for 23 yards. Though Tomlin is hoping Conner will be back Week 16, the 25-year-old had struggled over his last five outings prior to Monday's absence, averaging 3.5 yards per carry and 3.3 yards per target while finding the end zone only once. Conner's shaky health and poor production of late coupled with Snell's strong outing Monday may result in a timeshare being in place Week 16, an arrangement that would make it difficult to extract fantasy value from either back.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Conner (quadriceps) may be available for Sunday's game against the Colts, but he wouldn't guarantee that the 25-year-old would serve as Pittsburgh's lead back if he suits up, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports.

Though the Steelers suffered an embarrassing 27-17 loss to the 3-10-1 Bengals while Conner was sidelined Week 15, fill-in starter Benny Snell was one of the few bright spots for Pittsburgh, rushing 18 times for 84 yards and a touchdown and hauling in three of four targets for 23 yards. Per Kinkhabwala, Tomlin said Tuesday that Snell will "have the opportunity to be impactful" against the Colts, suggesting Pittsburgh could opt for a timeshare out of the backfield if Conner gains clearance to play. With no touchdowns and only 185 yards from scrimmage over his previous four outings, Conner's fantasy value had already been on the decline, and the prospect of him sharing work coming off an injury would only further dim his appeal.

Williams carried the rock just three times for five yards during Sunday's game against New Orleans.

Williams could be in line for a slightly heightened role over the last pair of games with Clyde Edwards-Helaire expected to miss out due to a high-ankle sprain. Le'Veon Bell should be set to handle most of the work, but Williams now slots in as the primary backup, which should carry an increased role as well. It's worth noting that even when Edwards-Helaire missed Week 13 versus the Broncos, Williams managed just six carries for 38 yards and a catch for another five, so there may not be a ton of fantasy upside on his end.

Perine rushed four times for 14 yards in the Bengals' 27-17 win over the Steelers on Monday night.

Perine had tied a season high with 10 carries in Week 14 against the Cowboys, but that workload was partly a byproduct of an early Giovani Bernard fumble that earned the veteran a benching. However, coach Zac Taylor gave Bernard ample opportunity to redeem himself Monday night in the form of 25 carries, which led to Perine reverting to a clear backup role. Considering he'd logged zero and three carries in Weeks 12 and 13 before last week's volume spike, the fourth-year pro will be difficult to trust despite an appealing Week 16 matchup against the Texans' AFC-worst rush defense.

Snell rushed 18 times for 84 yards and a touchdown while catching three of four targets for 23 yards in Monday's 27-17 loss to Cincinnati.

Snell worked as the lead back for the struggling Steelers rushing attack with James Conner (quadriceps) inactive, and he got a consistent workload even as Pittsburgh surprisingly fell behind 17-0 in the first half. The 2019 fourth-round pick contributed to his team's second-half comeback bid with a 29-yard burst -- one yard short of his career-long run -- to set up a field goal in the third quarter and a one-yard touchdown plunge in the fourth. Conner was reportedly close to suiting up in this one and will likely return in Week 16 against the Colts, bumping Snell back down to a bench role.

Akers suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the Jets and will be sidelined for the Rams' Week 16 matchup against the Seahawks as a result, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Akers followed up his career game Week 14 against the Patriots by leading the Rams in rushing again Sunday, but he also came out of the contest with an ankle injury. He's expected to be sidelined at least one game, but he could potentially miss more. Should Los Angeles ultimately secure a playoff spot this week, the decision for Week 17 would presumably become easier. Some combination of Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson figure to replace him in the backfield in Seattle.

Snell is slated to lead the Steelers backfield Monday at Cincinnati in place of the inactive James Conner (quadriceps), Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

When Snell filled in for Conner back in Weeks 12 and 13, he combined for 65 rushing yards on 24 carries and five catches (on seven targets) for 38 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Jaylen Samuels played in one of those games, turning three touches into 12 yards, with Anthony McFarland notching seven touches for 41 yards in two appearances. Considering the disparity in reps between that duo and Snell, the latter should handle the vast majority of work among Pittsburgh's running backs.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that Elliott (calf) "has a chance" to suit up Sunday against the Eagles, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.

Elliott focused entirely on resistance work and didn't practice last week, eventually being included among the Cowboys' inactives Week 15 against the 49ers. While the move was somewhat surprising after both national and local media reported he was in line to play, it allowed Tony Pollard to handle 52 of 58 offensive snaps en route to 18 touches for 132 yards from scrimmage and two rushing TDs. McCarthy also noted he expects Elliott to be "further along" with his bruised calf after getting the week off, so the running back's status on Wednesday's injury report will be of interest.

Coach Matt Rhule hopes that McCaffrey (thigh) can practice Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Per David Newton of ESPN.com, if McCaffrey is able to return to practice Wednesday, he'll continue to be evaluated through the week before a call on his status for Sunday's game against Washington is made. If McCaffrey remains sidelined Week 16, Mike Davis would continue to head Carolina's backfield this weekend, with Rodney Smith and Trenton Cannon in the mix to see complementary work.