NFL Player News

Barkley (shoulder) wasn't listed on the Giants' injury report Wednesday.

Coming off a Week 11 bye, Barkley is past the shoulder injury that he picked up in the Giants' last game Nov. 10 against the Jets. In the aftermath of his worst performance of the season -- 18 touches for 31 yards from scrimmage -- he relayed he has no desire to be rested at any point down the stretch, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. With his health now intact, Barkley will turn his focus first to Sunday's matchup with the Bears, whose defense has allowed 129.7 yards from scrimmage per game and 11 touchdowns to running backs in 10 contests this season.

Wilkins (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation into Thursday's game against the Texans.

With lead back Marlon Mack (hand) out indefinitely, Jonathan Williams and Wilkins are in line to serve as the top options in the Colts' Week 12 rushing attack, with Nyheim Hines slated to work in a change-of-pace role. It's the sort of timeshare that makes Wilkins a hit-or-miss fantasy proposition this week, but he's at least an option for those in need of running back due to injury or bye-week issues.

Adam Schefter of ESPN suggests that it "would be a mild upset" if Conner (shoulder) was available to play Sunday versus the Bengals.

In his return from a two-game absence for a Thursday night loss to the Browns in Week 11, Conner aggravated an AC joint injury in his right shoulder, which limited him to just 13 offensive snaps before he was pulled from the contest. If he's unable to suit up this weekend, added backfield work would be on tap for Jaylen Samuels, Trey Edmunds and Benny Snell.

Coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that he's unsure if Breida (ankle) will return to practice Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Breida missed the Week 11 win over the Cardinals after re-injuring the same ankle that hampered him earlier this season, so the team is clearly exercising caution in an effort to have the explosive back avoid a long-term setback. The 24-year-old was initially given a 1-to-2-week timetable to return from the low-ankle sprain, with Sunday's matchup with Green Bay representing the tail end of that range. Fantasy managers would ideally like to see Breida return to practice in some capacity this week, but it's unclear if that'll happen Wednesday.

Gaskin ran once for no gain and was unable to bring in his only target during Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Bills.

Gaskin has now gained zero yards on both of his 2019 touches. It speaks a little to where the 2019 seventh-round pick is in his development that, despite a massive lack of production and depletion of depth at running back in Miami in recent weeks, Gaskin has logged just 12 offensive snaps over the past two games. The release of Mark Walton, who was already serving a suspension, might preserve whatever role the rookie develops until the end of the season, but as of now that role amounts to a touch or two a game for minimal yardage. Next up in Week 12 is a weak Browns run defense.

Dayes (undisclosed) had a workout with the Bears on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dayes was waived off injured reserve by the Saints in September, but the workout indicates he's now healthy. The 2017 seventh-round pick has five career carries for 13 yards in 23 games between the Browns and 49ers.

McNichols was signed to the Bears' practice squad, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

McNichols was last seen with the Titans in the preseason but didn't make the roster. He's appeared in a total of three NFL games over the previous two seasons with the Colts and 49ers.

Wilkins (ankle) was listed as a limited participant Tuesday on the Colts' estimated practice report.

Since the Colts only staged a walk-through session Tuesday, Wilkins' limited listing shouldn't be taken as evidence that he tested out his injured ankle in any drills. That being said, Indianapolis' decision to upgrade Wilkins from no participation Monday to limited participation on the estimated report leaves the door open for him to return from a one-game absence Thursday versus the Texans. If Wilkins is active in Week 12, he and Jonathan Williams would both be looking at enhanced workloads on the ground as the Colts look to replace injured lead back Marlon Mack (hand).

Snell (knee) has been cleared to resume practicing this week, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Snell has missed the Steelers' past three games after requiring arthroscopic surgery on his knee, but the rookie looks like he'll have a realistic shot at returning to action Sunday versus Cincinnati. Before the Steelers decide on his status for the game, Snell will likely need to put in a full practice at some point this week. Based on coach Mike Tomlin's comments, Snell will likely be either a limited or full participant Wednesday, when the Steelers hold their first practice of the week.

The Dolphins waived Walton (suspension) on Tuesday.

Walton had missed the Dolphins' previous two contests while serving a four-game suspension due to violations of the NFL's personal conduct and substance abuse policies, which were related to his three arrests during the offseason. According to a press release issued Tuesday by the Dolphins, Walton was recently involved in another "police matter," and his latest brush with the law will end up costing him his job. With Walton no longer in line to rejoin Miami when his suspension lapses in December, Kalen Ballage should gain some security in the lead role, despite his remarkably poor efficiency this season (1.9 yards per carry on 64 attempts).