NFL Player News
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James Conner RB | ARI
Steelers' James Conner: Misses practice Wednesday
Conner (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday.
At this stage, Conner looks iffy for Sunday's game against the Browns. If he ends up missing the contest, Benny Snell would presumably be in line to head the Steelers' Week 13 rushing attack, with Jaylen Samuels and Kerrith Whyte on hand to work in complementary roles.
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Damien Williams RB | ARI
Chiefs' Damien Williams: Not practicing Wednesday
Williams (ribs) won't practice Wednesday, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.
The lack of activity isn't a great early sign regarding Williams' status for Sunday's game against the Raiders, but his outlook on that front would brighten if he's able to return to practice Thursday in any capacity. If he's unable to go this weekend, added backfield touches would be available for Darrel Williams and LeSean McCoy.
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Kenjon Barner RB | TB
Falcons' Kenjon Barner: Snags two passes
Barner caught both his targets for eight yards during Sunday's 35-22 loss to Tampa Bay. He added eight yards on a punt return.
Sunday's receptions were Barner's first since Week 4 and he's now earned multiple touches in back-to-back games. Far more of a returner than an offensive weapon, he had only two touches through the first six games but has recorded double-digit offensive snaps in each of the past three weeks. The arrow is definitely pointing up, but in most fantasy formats there's still little reason to pay Barner too much mind. Next up is a Thanksgiving matchup with a New Orleans defense against whom he notched a 12-yard run in Week 10.
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Dare Ogunbowale RB | LV
Buccaneers' Dare Ogunbowale: Reduction in playing time
Ogunbowale rushed once for 12 yards and failed to secure his only target in the Buccaneers' 35-22 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
The backup running back saw a modest 14 snaps from scrimmage Sunday, his lowest tally of the season. Ogunbowale's reduced involvement came as fellow change-of-pace option T.J. Logan saw a season-high seven plays on offense. Ogunbowale should continue to enjoy active status alongside Logan, with the latter also handling both kick return jobs and therefore likely looking at a modest amount of involvement on offense the remainder of the season.
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Justice Hill RB | BAL
Ravens' Justice Hill: Enjoys season-best usage
Hill ran for 27 yards on eight carries during Monday's 45-6 win over the Rams.
Hill's eight carries set a season high, but half of his carries came in fourth-quarter garbage time. The rookie gets more work than your average No. 3 RB thanks to Baltimore's run-heavy attack, but he's still not somebody you should be looking to on Sundays. That is especially true this Sunday against the league's top defense, the 49ers, though San Francisco has been more generous against the run than the pass this season.
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Gus Edwards RB | LAC
Ravens' Gus Edwards: Rumbles for 55 yards
Edwards ran for 55 yards on 14 carries during Monday's 45-6 win over the Rams.
The second-year back's 14 carries Monday were his highest total since Week 1, which was another Ravens rout. Coming off a game in which he posted impressive per-carry numbers against the Texans, Edward's usage against the Rams is sure to draw some attention, but context is important. Eleven of his totes came in the second half, with Baltimore having already built a three-score lead thanks in large part to the efforts of No. 1 RB Mark Ingram. Edwards certainly has the frame to be a bruising finisher, and the Ravens may be blowing a few more teams out down the stretch, but it will be somewhat of a shock if Sunday's opponent, the 49ers, are one of them. That said, don't be surprised if Baltimore goes particularly run heavy against a San Francisco defense that ranks tops in the league against the pass.
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Boston Scott RB | PIT
Eagles' Boston Scott: Plays just three snaps on offense
Scott played just three offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to Seattle.
Even with a good number of offensive weapons missing, Scott didn't see a carry or a target. He did get two kick returns, returning them for 45 total yards. It seems that will be his primary role going forward.
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Royce Freeman RB | CHI
Broncos' Royce Freeman: Continues decline
Freeman ran for 20 yards on two carries and added nine yards on two receptions during Sunday's 20-3 loss in Buffalo.
Freeman's four touches marked a season low and his 29 total yards were his second lowest total of the season. The lack of usage is especially surprising as he led Denver running backs with 28 offensive snaps, totaling 56 percent of the team's plays. Part of that can be attributed to Freeman's role as a third-down pass-blocking back, but Freeman's steady decline is still surprising. After totaling double-digit touches in each of the first three games of the season, he hasn't reached 10 in any of his last three contests. Sunday brings a matchup against a middle-of-the-road Chargers run defense, but Freeman may not get the touches necessary to take advantage.
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Jonathan Williams RB | WAS
Colts' Jonathan Williams: Slated to start Week 13
Williams is in line to be the Colts' starting running back Week 13 against the Titans with Marlon Mack (hand) ruled out, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.
Williams provided generous dividends to fantasy owners who were wise enough to stash him or lucky enough pick him up after Mack went down, as he rumbled for 104 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries and caught all three targets for 17 yards in Week 12's loss to the Texans. He's slated to lead the backfield again, while Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins rotate in reserve.
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Matt Breida RB | SF
49ers' Matt Breida: Could return Week 13
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Breida (ankle) "has a chance" to play Sunday against the Ravens, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Breida didn't practice over the previous two weeks as he recovered from a low-ankle sprain. His initial timetable was 1-to-2 weeks, so he's approaching his expected return date. The 24-year-old running back will first need to make his presence felt at practice, and his first chance will be Wednesday.