NFL Player News

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.

Cook (personal) won't play Sunday against the Lions, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Pelissero notes that the running back has returned home to Miami to be with his family following the tragic loss of his father, James, who passed away unexpectedly Tuesday at 46 years old. Cook concludes his fourth NFL season with 1,918 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns, both career highs.

Elliott (calf) is expected to be a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

The report notes that Elliott, who has managed a calf issue for the past few weeks, is expected to play Sunday against the Giants. In the Cowboys' 37-17 win over the Eagles in Week 16, Elliott delivered one of his better performances of the season, carrying 19 times for 105 yards while catching all four of his targets for 34 yards.

The Jets announced Wednesday that Perine has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list following his positive test, Ethan B. Greenberg of the team's official site reports.

According to Greenberg, the Jets are administering contact tracing for Perine to determine if any other players may have been affected. With the Jets already ruling out Frank Gore (lung contusion) for Sunday's season finale in New England and Perine now set to miss the contest, Ty Johnson and Josh Adams are the team's available backfield options, along with practice squad member Pete Guerriero.

Cook won't be available for Sunday's game against the Lions after he returned home to Miami due to a family emergency, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

The Vikings have yet to officially confirm that Cook will sit out, but at this stage, Alexander Mattison -- if cleared to return from a concussion -- looks set to lead Minnesota's backfield Week 17. If that's the case, Cook will wrap up a spectacular fourth NBA season with 1,557 rushing yards, 361 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns over 14 games.