NFL Player News

Conner was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

It was reported earlier Saturday Conner had tested positive for COVID-19, but the team had yet to make an official designation. This news seems to suggest the running back will miss, at minimum, Tuesday's contest against the Ravens, but it's entirely possible the game could be delayed even further after both teams added new additions to their respective COVID-19 lists.

Ekeler (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve Saturday.

This is an incredibly encouraging development, but coach Anthony Lynn hasn't exactly been adamant Ekeler would play even if he was activated. Perhaps accelerating the timeline is the status of Kalen Ballage (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game but only managed to practice in a limited fashion at any point throughout the week. Expect more clarity regarding Ekeler's playing time to emerge sometime in the lead-up to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Wilkins could see his workload increase after Jonathan Taylor was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday,

Wilkins will likely operate as the between-the-tackles option in lieu of Taylor's absence, but it's worth pointing out Hines was a critical factor in the Week 10 win over the Titans, eviscerating opposing linebacker Jayon Brown (now on IR with an elbow injury) to the tune of 115 total yards and two touchdowns. It's possible Wilkins and Hines could essentially split the team's offensive snaps, although it's clear coach Frank Reich has never been afraid to rely on the hot hand at running back. Wilkins played over 50 percent of the offensive snaps just once this season; a Week 8 matchup against the Lions which saw the bruising back tally 20 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Conner reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and will go through additional tests to determine his eligibility for Tuesday's contest against the Ravens, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports.

The Steelers have not officially placed on Conner on the reserve/COVID-19 list yet so there's plenty of ambiguity surrounding the situation. Additional testing will be critical for a number of reasons, including the status of Tuesday's twice-postponed game, but more information will need to be sorted out before any sort of final decisions can be made.

McCaffrey (shoulder) will not play Sunday against the Vikings after the running back did not travel with the team, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

All signs pointed to this being the likely outcome, so it's at least comforting for fantasy managers the decision wasn't in limbo for long. It certainly seems as if McCaffrey could return to his usual workhorse role following the team's Week 13 bye, but at least for Sunday, expect another heavy dose of Mike Davis as the lead back with Rodney Smith and Trenton Cannon mixing in on occasion.

Taylor was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday and will not play Sunday against the Titans.

It's unclear whether Taylor himself tested positive for COVID-19 or was merely in close proximity to someone who tested positive, but regardless the designation Saturday means the rookie running back will not play in the team's important divisional matchup against the Titans on Sunday. As of now, Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins are the only two healthy running backs on the active roster, although the team could still choose to activate players off the practice squad later in the day.

Taylor (quadriceps) is questionable for the team's Week 12 matchup against the Cardinals, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor's status has fluctuated throughout the week, as he was cleared of an undisclosed injury that held him out of the Week 11 matchup with Texans. However, he reappeared on the injury report Thursday and did not practice. He upgraded to limited participation on Friday, giving him a chance to suit up Sunday.

Homer (wrist/thumb/knee) didn't practice Friday, Joe Fann of NBC Sports Northwest reports.

Homer is quite banged up at the moment, tending to a trio of injuries. Coach Pete Carroll called Homer "really sore" on Tuesday and noted the running back's wrist in particular as bothersome, according to Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle. The Seahawks may welcome back Chris Carson (foot) to the backfield Monday in Philadelphia, so a cautious approach could be taken with Homer as he continues to recover.

Bellamy cleared waivers Friday and signed with the Broncos' practice squad, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Bellamy returned from injured reserve earlier in the week and was quickly let go to make room on the 53-man roster. The undrafted rookie out of Western Michigan will continue to fine-tune his craft on the Broncos' scout team. Bellamy could have some solid potential, as he racked up 1,527 yards from scrimmage and 23 total touchdowns in his senior season at Western Michigan.

Ogunbowale (hand) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Ogunbawale played a season-high 13 snaps on offense last week and was targeted twice. If he's unable to play Sunday, it'll mainly affect the depth behind bell cow James Robinson. Both Devine Ozigbo and Nathan Cottrell stand to benefit if Ogunbowale sits out.