NFL Player News

Laird is expected to see increased work out of the backfield after Kalen Ballage (Achilles) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Safid Dean of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Ballage sustained the injury during Sunday's win over the Eagles, and Laird subsequently led the backfield with 10 carries for five yards while catching four of five targets for 43 yards. The undrafted rookie ended up playing 43 offensive snaps in the contest, far outpacing next man up Myles Gaskin (16 snaps). The Jets' stout run defense presents a tough matchup for Week 14, but Laird could retain some value as a pass catcher with 12 receptions on 14 targets for 109 yards in the last four games.

Walton's four-game suspension for violating the NFL's conduct and substance abuse policy was lifted Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

This suspension was due to conduct over the summer, but Walton was cut by the Dolphins following a separate incident in November. He likely won't be picked up again this year considering another suspension appears imminent.

Zenner has been claimed on waivers by the Dolphins, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Zenner will give the Dolphins some added running back depth, with Kalen Ballage (leg) headed to IR. It remains to be seen how much of a role he'll have for his new team out of the gate, but initially Zenner figures to work behind Patrick Laird and Myles Gaskin.

Pollard (ankle) didn't practice Tuesday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Pollard was added to the Cowboys' Week 14 injury report Tuesday, so his status for Thursday's game against the Bears will be worth monitoring. Pollard remains firmly behind Ezekiel Elliott on the Cowboys' running back depth chart, which limits his fantasy ceiling, but he does remain useful as an insurance policy in the event that Elliott suffers an injury down the stretch.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Conner (shoulder) is "questionable as we stand here today" for Sunday's game at Arizona, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Tomlin indicated Conner was improving but couldn't say if or how much he'd be able to practice this week. The 24-year-old finished last week with a pair of limited practices before being listed as doubtful, so he should be participating in some capacity this week if he truly is improving. Benny Snell rushed 16 times for 63 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's win over the Browns, and he figures to again work as the early-down back should Conner be unable to return Week 14, with Jaylen Samuels in a pass-catching role.

Williams did not touch the ball in the second half of Sunday's loss at Jacksonville due to a coach's decision, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports. "It was a little bit hot hand," said head coach Frank Reich. "There was more than one factor that went into it, but nothing negative in the terms of a general feeling that we have about Jonathan."

Williams was called for a holding penalty early in the game which may have contributed to the decision. Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines split the workload at running back once Williams was benched. With Marlon Mack possibly returning this week from a hand injury and Williams' role in doubt, his fantasy value will take a big hit despite his 100-yard rushing performances in his two prior games.

Cook, who was forced out of Monday's 37-30 loss to the Seahawks with what is being described as a right shoulder injury, plans to play in Week 14, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "I'll definitely be ready to go Sunday," Cook said of this weekend's home game against the Lions.

Supporting that notion is that Cook indicated he could have returned to Monday's game, but was held out for "precautionary'" reasons, while Alexander Mattison filled in as the team's lead back. Despite Cook downplaying his injury, there's a decent chance it will impact his practice participation in advance of Sunday's contest.

Mattison rushed four times for 22 yards and secured four of five targets for 51 yards in the Vikings' 37-30 loss to the Seahawks on Monday.

Mattison took on extra snaps after Dalvin Cook (shoulder) was forced from the contest, and the rookie finished tied for the team lead in receptions and second in receiving yardage for the night. Coach Mike Zimmer labeled Cook's injury as not serious in his postgame press conference, but if it proves severe enough to sideline the third-year back for a Week 14 tilt against the Lions, Mattison would be primed for a start versus Detroit's vulnerable defense.

Cook, who left Monday's loss to Seattle after taking a hit to the chest/shoulder area in the third quarter, said he sat out the remainder of the game for precautionary reasons, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Cook added he'd be ready to play next week.

The running back indicated the blow landed on the same spot he'd sustained an injury to back in Week 11 against the Broncos, although the prior issue didn't force him off the field. Alexander Mattison took over and ended up with four carries for 22 yards, while Cook had nine carries for 29 yards and a touchdown before departing. He also added three receptions for 35 yards. While Cook is optimistic about his injury, check to see how he fares in practice this week.

Cook's shoulder injury is not considered serious, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Cook finished the game with nine carries for 29 yards and a touchdown and three receptions (on four targets) for 35 additional yards before being sidelined in the third quarter. The third-year back will have a short week to fully recover before a Week 14 divisional battle against the Lions next Sunday.