NFL Player News

Conner (shoulder) said Thursday that he won't play Sunday against the Cardinals, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

Per the report, Conner, who last suited up Week 11, has been taking scout team reps this week and will thus look toward a possible return to action Week 15 against the Bills. The running back approached Week 13 action with an official doubtful tag, so it's possible that could be the case again this week, but he can safely be removed from Week 14 fantasy consideration. In his anticipated ongoing absence, Benny Snell is in line to continue to head the Steelers' backfield Sunday, while added touches will also be available for Jaylen Samuels and Kerrith Whyte, to a lesser degree.

Williams (ribs) won't practice Thursday, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Given Williams' iffy status and the fact that Darrel Williams (hamstring) has landed on injured reserve, the Chiefs' top healthy backfield options as Sunday's game against the Patriots approaches are LeSean McCoy, Darwin Thompson and the recently added Spencer Ware.

Williams (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve by the Chiefs on Thursday.

Williams had already been considered doubtful to play in Week 14, which was confirmed by his absence from the practice field Wednesday. Now that he's on IR, and with Damien Williams dealing with a rib injury, the Chiefs' top healthy backs are currently LeSean McCoy, Darwin Thompson and Spencer Ware.

Jacobs (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Per the report, the running back revealed on social media this week that he's been toughing it out through a fractured right shoulder since sustaining the injury in an Oct. 20 loss to the Packers. Based on the pattern he's followed in previous weeks, expect Jacobs to return to a limited practice Thursday and gain clearance for Sunday's game against the Titans. Despite the ongoing shoulder issue, the rookie has carried 218 times for 1,061 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games to date to go along with 18 catches for 146 yards.

Freeman was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a rib injury, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Freeman may have picked up the injury in the Broncos' Week 13 win over the Chargers, but there's little reason to worry yet that he'll miss Sunday's game against the Texans. The second-year back has been held under 30 scrimmage yards in four straight games and hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 8.

Henry (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday.

At this point, it's unclear if the Titans are simply managing Henry's practice reps or if the hamstring issue that limited him in two practices last week is something that might impact his status for Sunday's game in Oakland. A return to practice Thursday -- in any capacity -- would no doubt ease the concerns of fantasy managers who have been relying on Tennessee's top back, who has been on a tear of late.

Cook was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a chest injury.

Cook was forced out of Monday's loss to the Seahawks in the third quarter due to what was initially believed to be a right shoulder injury, but follow-up reports have clarified that he's dealing with a chest issue. The star running back said prior to practice Wednesday that he's confident he'll be ready to play Sunday against the Lions, with his ability to play through the injury likely coming down to a matter of pain tolerance. The early optimism surrounding Cook's situation is encouraging, but if he were ultimately limited or forced to miss any time, rookie third-round pick Alexander Mattison would be in store for an expanded role in the Vikings' backfield.

Breida (ankle) practiced in full Wednesday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With no cap on his practices for the first time since he picked up a low-ankle sprain Week 10, Breida will end a three-game absence Sunday in New Orleans. He'll rejoin a backfield that flipped on its head in the Week 13 loss at Baltimore, when Raheem Mostert received most of the running-back reps over Tevin Coleman. In that contest, Mostert handled 74 percent of the offensive snaps on his way to 21 touches for 154 yards from scrimmage and a score. As for Coleman, he got an 18-percent share, ending his day with six touches and 15 yards from scrimmage.

Conner (shoulder) was limited at practice Wednesday.

Conner, who last suited up Week 11, is making progress, but his status for Sunday's game against the Cardinals remains uncertain. If he's limited or out this weekend, added snaps would be available for Benny Snell, who headed the team's backfield the last two games. Extra work would also be available for Jaylen Samuels and Kerrith Whyte, to lesser degrees.

Mack (hand) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official site reports.

Mack, who's bouncing back from a fractured right hand that he suffered Week 11, has a chance to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, per coach Frank Reich. In Mack's absence, Jordan Wilkins and Jonathan Williams have see added opportunities in the run game, while Nyheim Hines has remained the team's top pass-catching threat out of the backfield. Once he's up to speed, Mack should immediately reclaim his status as the Colts' top back and render the three others less useful for fantasy purposes.