NFL Player News

McCaffrey (thigh) is inactive for Sunday's Week 16 tilt against Washington, Bill Voth of the team's official site reports.

As expected, McCaffrey will log a sixth consecutive absence and still has just three active games on his 2020 ledger. The Pro Bowl running back will have one final opportunity to suit up this season Week 17 against the Saints, but given the Panthers' lack of postseason aspirations, it's fair to wonder whether it will be worthwhile to risk McCaffrey's health in a meaningless finale. Mike Davis will assume primary running back duties again for Carolina.

Gibson (toe) is listed as active Sunday against the Panthers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Back in action for the first time since suffering a turf toe injury Week 13 at Pittsburgh, Gibson could have a smaller workload than normal, considering he practiced in a limited capacity in advance of this contest. J.D. McKissic still is on hand for pass-catching reps out of Washington's backfield, while Peyton Barber is available for early-down work and short-yardage situations. Still, in the 11 appearances in which he was healthy this season, Gibson averaged 15.5 touches for 79.8 yards from scrimmage and one TD per game.

Ahmed had six carries for two yards during Saturday's 26-25 win over the Raiders. He also hauled in his only target for one yard.

Ahmed reverted to a depth role in Miami's backfield due to the return of Myles Gaskin from the COVID-19 list. Just a week removed from dropping 122 rushing yards on the Patriots, Ahmed was inefficient on his seven offensive touches, while Gaskin racked up 169 scrimmage yards and two scores on his 14 carries and five targets.

McFarland (illness) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Colts, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

McFarland was added to the injury report Friday as a non-participant due to the illness, and he won't be available for Sunday's matchup with Indianapolis. The 21-year-old was unlikely to see significant playing time even if available since James Conner, Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels are healthy.

Patterson (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

The 29-year-old was considered questionable after sitting out practice all week, but he's ready to go for Sunday's contest. Patterson should continue to operate as Chicago's primary kick returner and secondary running back behind starter David Montgomery.

Pollard is expected to serve as the Cowboys' No. 2 running back Sunday against the Eagles with Ezekiel Elliott (calf) set to play after sitting out the Week 15 win over the 49ers, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

While Elliott sat out the Week 15 contest, Pollard thrived in his first career start, carrying 12 times for 69 yards and two touchdowns and hauling in six of nine targets for 63 yards. Though Elliott -- who is listed as questionable for the contest -- has averaged a career-worst 3.9 yards per carry this season and presumably isn't 100 percent while he works back from the bruised calf, the massive six-year, $90 million contract extension he signed last week should continue to give him the edge over Pollard for lead duties out of the backfield. That being said, it wouldn't be surprising if Pollard's stellar Week 15 outing earned him a larger portion of the snaps and touches out of the backfield. Over the previous four games both he and Elliott played together, Pollard logged between 32 and 39 percent of the offensive snaps while averaging just over eight touches per contest.

Gibson (toe), who is listed as questionable, is expected to play Sunday against the Panthers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 22-year-old practiced as a limited participant all week to earn the questionable designation, but it appears he has a strong chance of suiting up Week 16. Gibson's status will receive additional clarity about 90 minutes before the 4:05 ET kickoff when Washington releases its list of inactives.

Jacobs totaled 69 yards on 13 carries during Saturday's 26-25 loss to the Dolphins.

Jacobs took an IV on Saturday, as he was not feeling well going into the game, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. Jacobs had an opportunity to punch in a game-winning touchdown with two overtime carries inside the five-yard line during a Week 15 loss to the Chargers. Again against Miami, the 22-year-old came up short in a pair of short-yardage situations. A Jacobs first-quarter goal-line carry landed Las Vegas a yard short of a touchdown before Derek Carr scored on a QB sneak the following play. Meanwhile, a 4th-and-1 plunge from Las Vegas' own 47 with 8:36 to go in the third quarter lost one yard. Making matters worse, Jacobs appeared to purposely go down short of the goal line twice as the Raiders were playing for time and a field goal late in the fourth quarter vs. going for a touchdown. Even so, Jacobs' opportunities remain ample as the powerful back has garnered 13-plus carries in seven of his past eight outings heading into a Week 17 road trip to Denver.

Gaskin had 14 carries for 87 yards during Saturday night's 26-25 win over the Raiders. He also secured all five of his targets for 82 yards and two touchdowns.

Gaskin entered Saturday's road tilt against the Raiders coming off a two-game absence due to COVID-19, but he immediately returned to his usual workhorse role, exploding for a career-high 169 yards from scrimmage. The second-year pro looked like Miami's most effective offensive weapon with DeVante Parker (hamstring) sidelined, accounting for both of the team's touchdowns on the day, most notably a 59-yard sideline catch-and-run late in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Salvon Ahmed accounted for just two yards on six carries. Gaskin is locked into a bellcow role heading into a must-win road matchup against the Bills in Week 17.

Drake carried 18 times for 45 yards and a touchdown while catching both his targets for five additional yards during Sunday's 20-12 loss to the 49ers.

Drake carried the mail after Chase Edmonds (hip) left the game in the second quarter, but he averaged just 2.5 yards per carry and did little as a pass catcher as well. He salvaged his day from a fantasy perspective with a leaping one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving him a career-high 10 touchdowns for the season. Although he's scored six times in the last six games, Drake has averaged fewer than 3.0 yards per carry each of the last two and will look to improve from a yardage perspective in next Saturday's matchup with the Rams.