NFL Player News

ESPN's Cameron Wolfe indicates that Ahmed (shoulder), who is back after after missing three games with a shoulder injury, is in line to lead Miami's backfield Sunday against the Patriots.

He re-enters the mix with Myles Gaskin on the reserve/COVID-19 list and the Dolphins' pass-catching corps without key cogs DeVante Parker (hamstring), Mike Gesicki (shoulder) and Jakeem Grant (hamstring). In that context, the Dolphins will need all they can get from Ahmed, Matt Breida and DeAndre Washington, while Patrick Laird is on hand in a reserve role.

Ollison (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers.

Atlanta rolls into Week 15 deploying a trio of active backs with Todd Gurley, Brian Hill and Ito Smith each dressing for the NFC South showdown. Ollison has been sparsely involved this season for the Falcons' 25th-ranked rushing attack, fielding just one carry over 13 combined offensive snaps in his three game appearances.

Dowdle is expected to serve as the Cowboys' top backup running back behind Tony Pollard with Ezekiel Elliott (calf) inactive for the contest, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

So long as the contest remains competitive, expect Pollard to see the overwhelming share of snaps and touches out of the backfield, as Dowdle -- an undrafted rookie out of South Carolina -- has yet to be entrusted with a meaningful role on offense. Since logging three carries on three snaps in garbage time Week 6 against Arizona, Dowdle's action has come exclusively on special teams over the subsequent seven games.

Taylor (quadriceps) will play in Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Taylor will make his first appearance since Week 3, as he's dealt with injury and illness this season. With Damien Harris (ankle) ruled out of the game, Taylor is expected to handle a clear No. 3 role at running back for the game behind Sony Michel and James White.

Pollard is in line to lead the Cowboys backfield after Ezekiel Elliott was ruled inactive Sunday against the 49ers, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

A 2019 fourth-round pick, Pollard has earned double-digit touches in seven of his 28 career contests. In those appearances, he's averaged 13.3 touches for 72.3 yards from scrimmage per game while scoring three touchdowns. Aside from Pollard, the other candidates for touches at running back are Rico Dowdle and Sewo Olonilua.

Ahmed (shoulder) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Ahmed is back, but it remains to be seen how heavily he'll be used in his return, even with Myles Gaskin (illness) still on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Also on hand are DeAndre Washington, Matt Breida and Patrick Laird, which could lead to a committee/hot hand backfield approach in Week 15.

Jones (finger) remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will not be active for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Jones underwent surgery to repair his fractured pinkie finger Tuesday, but there seemed a chance he could face Atlanta if capable of shouldering late-week practice reps. A subsequent Wednesday shift to the reserve/COVID-19 list promptly changed the outlook, and it's now confirmed the 23-year-old will miss his first game of 2020. With Tampa Bay proceeding devoid of the NFL's fourth-leading rusher for Sunday's NFC South clash, Leonard Fournette is expected to step into the primary running back role, per Greg Auman of The Athletic.

Gibson (toe) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic reports.

Gibson was able to avoid being ruled out Friday after he returned to practice in a limited fashion, but with Washington still listing him as "doubtful" for the contest, he never seemed to have much of a shot to suit up Week 15. With the rookie set to miss his second straight game, Washington will lean on a combination of J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber out of the backfield. McKissic will handle most of the passing-down work and will mix in as a change-of-pace option, while Barber likely garners usage as an early-down and short-yardage back.

Mattison (illness) is active Week 15 against the Bears.

Mattison has been sidelined back-to-back weeks, but a brief return to Thursday's session opened the door for the second-year back to jump back into action Week 15. There will remain legitimate questions about his usage, however, as Dalvin Cook is the unquestioned No. 1 back, and both Ameer Abdullah and Mike Boone are active for the contest as well.

Elliott (calf) is inactive for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Cowboys managed Elliott's reps the last two weeks due to a bruised calf, but during the most recent one coach Mike McCarthy suggested the running back was "a little further away" than one week prior. The assessment comes as no surprise after Elliott was unable to practice at all this week, instead focusing on resistance work with the training staff. There was an expectation that he would gut out the injury, but Dallas has changed course and will give Elliott the week off. With Elliott sidelined, Tony Pollard is on pace for a large workload Week 15.