NFL Player News

Harris (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Seven New England players missed practice Wednesday, while Harris was among the 13 players listed as limited. Given that he's sat out two straight games, however, Harris is no lock to return to action for Sunday's season finale against the Jets. If Harris remains sidelined this weekend, Sony Michel, James White and J.J. Taylor would continue to handle the team's backfield duties.

Head coach Sean McVay said Akers is "making great progress" in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain, but the running back remains uncertain for Sunday's contest against the Cardinals, Sarina Morales of the Rams' official site reports.

After Akers sustained his ankle injury Week 15 against the Jets, Darrell Henderson took on lead back duties this past Sunday versus the Seahawks and suffered the same exact injury. Henderson's sprain is considered more severe since the Rams already placed him on injured reserve, but Akers seems to have a chance to play in a key Week 17 contest. Akers' ability to practice in some capacity Wednesday would be a positive first step toward that end.

Williams (quadriceps) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

The appearance at practice marks Williams' first since injuring his quad Week 15 against the Panthers. He proceeded to miss the Packers' dismantling of the Titans last weekend, giving AJ Dillon a chance to shine alongside Aaron Jones. Dillon, a rookie second-round pick, turned 22 touches into 129 yards from scrimmage and two scores on the ground, while Jones managed 12 touches for 108 total yards. If Williams does enough this week to be active Sunday at Chicago, it'll be interesting to see who among Williams and Dillon is working in concert with Jones.

Mattison (concussion) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Mattison's return to practice coincides with news that Dalvin Cook won't be able to play Week 17 as he tends to a personal matter. Of course, Mattison will have to work his way through the NFL's concussion protocol, but if he does, he's slated to lead the Vikings backfield Sunday in Detroit. Aside from Mattison, Ameer Abdullah and Mike Boone are Minnesota's remaining available running backs.

Murray was alimited participant in practice Wednesday due to a quadriceps injury.

According to Katherine Terrell of The Athletic, Murray wasn't present at the open portion of the session, but the veteran running back fit in reps behind the scenes at some point. On the season, Murray's touch count has wavered wildly, and now with an injury in tow, he's again in danger of yielding most of the backfield reps to Alvin Kamara in Week 17. Murray has two more chances to prove the health of his quad ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale at Carolina.

Jones (finger) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com, head coach Bruce Arians said that Jones "caught the ball OK" in his return from a two-week stay on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Jones' surgically-repaired left pinkie finger still seems to be bothering him, which isn't shocking given that he's two weeks removed from a procedure to insert a pin in the appendage. Fellow running back Leonard Fournette also was limited by an abdominal issue, so the state of Tampa Bay's backfield will be one to monitor as this weekend's matchup with the Falcons draws closer.

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.