NFL Player News

Harris (ankle) was added to the Patriots' Week 15 injury report after logging a limited practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

It remains to be seen if Harris' listed limitations are the result of an in-practice setback or simply a case of the running back managing a minor ankle issue, but either way, he's one of 13 New England players who was classified as limited Thursday. If Harris is out or limited Sunday against the Dolphins, Sony Michel would be in line to see added touches out of the team's Week 15 backfield.

Conner (quad) didn't practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

The running back still has two chances to return to practice this week, but his status must be closely monitored as Monday night's game against the Bengals approaches. If he's out or limited in Week 15, Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels would be in line to head the Steelers' backfield versus 2-10-1 Cincinnati.

McCaffrey (thigh) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game at Green Bay, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

McCaffrey followed the same exact regimen last week before the Panthers ruled him out: limited to kick off the practice week, followed by no activity the next two days before receiving a doubtful tag. As a result, he's in line to miss a fifth consecutive contest and 11th overall this season. In McCaffrey's stead, look for Mike Davis to lead the Panthers backfield yet again.

Gibson (toe) didn't practice Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

For the second day in a row, Gibson was present at the session but was a spectator for individual drills, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. On Wednesday, coach Ron Rivera told JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington that Gibson is making "good progress" through his turf toe injury, but he hasn't recovered enough to set foot on the practice field. If Gibson requires another DNP on game day, Washington will roll with a backfield headed by J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber (ankle).

McCaffrey (thigh) isn't taking part in Thursday's practice, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.

As of Wednesday, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule was still leaving the door open for McCaffrey to put an end to a four-game absence Saturday at Green Bay, but the running back's chances of playing appear to be dimming by the day. After opening the week as a limited participant in practice Tuesday, McCaffrey has now failed to take any reps two days in a row. The Panthers will officially give McCaffrey a designation later Thursday, when the team releases its final Week 15 injury report.

Mattison (appendectomy) went through stretches and individual drills during the open portion of Thursday's practice, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.

Mattison's appearance at practice is his first since Dec. 4, as he required an emergency appendectomy a day later. The extent of the running back's participation Thursday won't be known until the Vikings release their second Week 15 practice report later in the day, but his presence on the field at least gives him an outside chance at returning from a two-game absence Sunday against the Bears.

Coach Vic Fangio noted Thursday both Gordon (shoulder) and Phillip Lindsay (hip) will be listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Bills, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

While the duo's status will need to be monitored prior to Saturday's 4:30 ET kickoff, Mike Klis of 9News Denver previously relayed via Fangio that that both backs should be fine by the time the game rolls around. If that's the case, Gordon (who logged 13 carries in Week 14) and Lindsay (who carried 11 times) will continue to work in a fairly even time-share in Week 15.

Jets head coach Adam Gase said Thursday that Perine (ankle) is unlikely to be activated from injured reserve ahead of the team's Week 15 matchup with the Rams, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Perine has missed the Jets' last three games with a high-ankle sprain, but the rookie appeared to have a shot at suiting up this weekend after the Jets designated him to return from injured reserve Wednesday. Though Perine is now practicing with the Jets, Gase suggested that he wanted to evaluate the running back over a full week before giving him the green light to play. As a result, Frank Gore looks poised to continue as New York's starting back against the Rams, with Ty Johnson and Josh Adams on hand as change-of-pace options.

Mixon (foot) won't be activated for Monday night's game against the Steelers, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

The report notes that Mixon could still return before the close of the season, but this week some combo of Giovani Bernard, Trayveon Williams and Samaje Perine will handle the Bengals' rushing duties versus Pittsburgh.

Edmonds (ankle) was working out on a side field during the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, suggesting he'll be listed as a non-participant for the session, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury indicated Wednesday that Edmonds would likely be a game-time decision for Sunday's tilt with the Eagles, so the running back's lack of activity with the main group for a second straight day isn't too surprising in that context. Should Edmonds' ankle injury prevent him from suiting up Week 15, top back Kenyan Drake would likely take on a heftier snap share after playing between 45 and 56 percent of the Cardinals' offensive plays in each of the past five weeks.