NFL Player News

Washington (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

The specifics surrounding the knee injury remain unclear, however, the fact that Washington is on the injury report is a negative sign. Expect his practice availability throughout the week to shed a light on his chances to suit up Sunday. If he can't go, his absence will leave just Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray as healthy running backs.

Mattison (ankle) practiced fully Wednesday.

Top back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) also logged a full session Wednesday, which sets for Mattison to work as an understudy in Sunday's wild-card matchup with the Saints after both were sidelined for the final two games of the regular season. The rookie third-round pick played 15.4 snaps per game over his 13 appearances, finishing with 100 carries for 462 yards and a touchdown and 10 receptions for 82 yards on 12 targets.

Cook (shoulder) practiced fully Wednesday.

As did Alexander Mattison (ankle), with Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com noting that the duo took their usual first and second-team reps at practice Wednesday. With both Cook and Mattison slated to return to action in Sunday's wild-card game against the Saints, Mike Boone will drop down to third on the depth chart and may be phased out of the Vikings' offensive game plan.

Sanders (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Wednesday's session was a walk-through, so what Sanders is able to do once the team takes the field Thursday will be more telling with regard to the running back's chances of suiting up for Sunday's playoff contest against the Seahawks. Per Dave Spadaro of the Eagles' official site, the team is hopeful that Sanders will be able go this weekend. If Sanders ends up limited or even sits out Sunday, added backfield touches would be available for Boston Scott and Jordan Howard.

Mattison (ankle) expects to play in Sunday's wild-card game at New Orleans, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The same goes for Dalvin Cook (shoulder), who also missed the final two games of the regular season. Both running backs are expected to practice Wednesday, but it isn't clear if they'll be full or limited participants.

Sanders (ankle) doesn't appear to be participating in Wednesday's walk-through practice, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Sanders stood on the sideline observing while his teammates stretched before the practice. Coach Doug Pederson has been optimistic about Sanders returning for Sunday's playoff game against Seattle, but it remains to be seen how the running back's sprained/inflamed ankle will heal throughout the week. A return to practice Thursday or Friday could put the rookie on track for a game-time decision.

Pollard finished the 2019 season with 86 carries for 455 yards and two touchdowns while catching 15 of 20 targets for 107 receiving yards and an additional score.

He also chipped in 245 yards on kickoff returns for good measure. Ezekiel Elliott's preseason holdout created a small window this fall in which it looked like the 2019 fourth-round pick could be the Cowboys' No. 1 running back, and Pollard gave glimpses of what that might have looked like during two huge performances against the Dolphins in Week 3 and the Rams in Week 15. In fact, 51.4 percent of Pollard's rushing yards on the year came in those two games. With Elliott and his giant contract locked in atop the depth chart heading into 2020, Pollard once again figures to be the first option off the bench when the team's bell cow needs a breather. Pollard's big-play potential could still give him fantasy value in the right matchups.

Cook (shoulder) said Wednesday that he will be at full strength for this weekend's wild-card game in New Orleans, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Cook made similar comments Tuesday, downplaying any concern about his late-season absence extending into the playoffs. The Vikings will release their first injury report of the week later Wednesday.

Bolden finished the regular season with 15 carries for 68 yards and three touchdowns and nine catches on 11 targets for 111 yards and a receiving score over the course of 15 games.

Bolden, who spent the previous season with the Dolphins, returned to the Patriots in 2019, reprising his role as a versatile backfield depth option and core special teamer. He's under contract with New England through the 2020 season and is thus slated to continue to work in the complementary role that he's handled capably since joining the franchise as an undrafted free agent in 2012.

Johnson returned two kickoffs for 76 yards and one punt for nine yards in a 33-23 loss to the Bengals in Week 17.

Johnson returned the opening kickoff 47 yards, setting up Cleveland's first score 81 seconds into the game. The 23-year-old running back had some early contributions on offense in 2019 while Dontrell Hilliard was sidelined due to a concussion and while Kareem Hunt served an eight-game suspension. Once those two backs were available, however, Johnson mainly became a special-teams contributor. The all-purpose back from South Florida is under team control for another two seasons, so he's expected to compete for a job as the third running back and primary returner in 2020.