NFL Player News

Sanders is expected to remain the Eagles' lead option out of the backfield Sunday against the Giants with Jordan Howard (shoulder) trending toward a return, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Over the Eagles' first nine games, Howard led the team's ground attack with 525 yards and six touchdowns on 119 attempts, with Sanders operating in more of a change-of-pace capacity. With a shoulder stinger keeping Howard out for the subsequent six games, however, Sanders has been thrust into a larger role and has responded well, amassing 635 total yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. Though Howard has received clearance to take contact and should be available in the regular-season finale, the Eagles are expected to ease him back in as a complementary option out of the backfield. Such an arrangement should allow Sanders to retain the top spot on the depth chart, though he might have to sacrifice slightly more touches and snaps compared to recent weeks.

Abdullah caught six of seven targets for 31 yards and added 27 yards on four carries during Monday's 23-10 loss to Green Bay.

With Dalvin Cook (chest) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) both on the shelf, Abdullah played 32 snaps on offense Monday, 14 more than fellow reserve back Mike Boone. He ended up leading the Vikings in targets and catches along the way. The Vikings will be the NFC's No. 6 seed in the playoffs regardless of Sunday's result against the Bears, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the team rested Cook and Mattison again. Abdullah caught two passes for 14 yards in limited action against Chicago in Week 4.

Pollard carried the ball twice for zero yards, returned two kicks for 41 yards and lost a fumble during Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

Pollard's fumble during the third quarter ended a 10-play drive for the Cowboys, and he didn't touch the ball again on offense. The 22-year-old had 12 rushes for 131 yards and one touchdown Week 15, illustrating his volatility as a low-volume fantasy option.

Williams said Tuesday that he doesn't believe the shoulder issue he suffered Monday at Minnesota will be a long-term issue, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

This season, Williams previously sat out Week 5 with a concussion and missed some practice time Week 14 due to a knee injury. He picked up the current concern when he landed on his shoulder Monday, resulting in his second-lowest offensive snap share (27 percent) of the year. Wednesday's injury report will provide an estimate of how much activity he was able to handle as Green Bay begins preparations for the regular-season finale in Detroit.

Ogunbowale secured three of five targets for 34 yards in the Buccaneers' 23-20 loss to the Texans on Saturday. He also returned five kickoffs for 74 yards.

Ogunbowale filled his usual complementary role, notching multiple receptions for the third time in the last four games and seeing five targets for the second time in three contests. The story with Ogunbowale is largely unchanged -- he'll log the occasional carry or two but sees a consistent, albeit modest, workload in the passing game.

Coach Pete Carroll said Homer will be "ready to go" Sunday against the 49ers, Andy Patton of USA Today reports.

Not only is the NFC West crown on the line this weekend, but it's still to be determined which teams will get first-round byes and even home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. In Seattle, the backfield is unsettled after Chris Carson (hip) and C.J. Prosise (arm) joined Rashaad Penny (knee) on injured reserve this week. While former Seahawks Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin were re-signed Monday to bolster the RB ranks, Homer has been in the program since he was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 draft. In addition to a 29-yard run on a fake punt Week 13, Homer has turned seven carries into 23 yards and six catches (on eight targets) into 26 yards over the last two games. More touches may be on tap for Homer, especially with Lynch and Turbin having not played a snap yet this season.

Gaskin (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

In the wake of Kenyan Drake getting shipped to the Cardinals and later Kalen Ballage landing on IR due to a leg injury, Gaskin slowly but surely increased his reps in the second half of the campaign. Prior to injuring his left ankle Week 16, Gaskin accrued 36 carries for 133 yards and one touchdown while gathering in seven of 12 targets for 51 yards in seven contests. Look for Patrick Laird to lead the Dolphins' backfield in the season finale, with De'Lance Turner and Samaje Perine handling any backfield snaps that remain.

Jacobs (shoulder) participated in Tuesday's walkthrough, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Absent two of the past three games due to a fractured right shoulder plate, Jacobs appears to be putting himself on a path to another appearance before the end of the regular season. Considering the Raiders still have a chance to make the playoffs, however faint it may be, it would behoove the team to use the impressive rookie in Week 17. Ultimately, Jacobs' activity level the next few days will guide Oakland's decision-making process. DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard are on hand in the event Jacobs is once again unavailable in the backfield.

Thompson rushed just five times for 14 yards Sunday against the Bears.

Thompson's snap count took a major hit due to Damien Williams' return to the lineup. The rookie back saw the field on just six offensive snaps (nine percent), though he did get handed the ball on five of his six snaps. As long as Williams is healthy, Thompson shouldn't see the field very often.

Coach Mike Tomlin called Conner's (quadriceps) status for Week 17 at Baltimore "very much in question," Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

Conner has been unable to avoid the injury bug this season. At the moment, he's tending to a quad issue that he sustained on his final carry of Week 16, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. While the results of an MRI haven't been released, Tomlin's comments aren't exactly encouraging for Conner's availability for the season finale. If he misses his sixth game of the campaign Sunday, Benny Snell Jr. and Jaylen Samuels would be in line for more prominent roles.