NFL Player News

Conner's status is "up in the air" for Sunday's game at Cincinnati due to his shoulder injury, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

In his return last Thursday at Cleveland from a two-game absence, Conner aggravated the AC joint injury in his right shoulder, containing him to just 13 of 74 offensive snaps. According to Pelissero, Conner's injury isn't worse than it was previously, but his upcoming availability will depend on how he feels. The Steelers will take the practice field Wednesday, at which point Conner's health should become clearer.

Coach Frank Reich said Monday that Hines will mostly remain in his usual hybrid role while Marlon Mack (hand) is sidelined, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.

Mack underwent surgery Monday to repair his fractured right hand, an injury he sustained a day earlier in the Colts' 33-13 win over the Jaguars. Despite the lead back's early departure, Hines (three carries for 11 yards, three receptions for 24 yards) didn't see a major spike in usage. Instead, Jonathan Williams (13 carries for 116 yards, one catch for 31 yards) was the main beneficiary, prompting Reich to tab him and Jordan Wilkins (ankle) as the main candidates to fill Mack's high-volume role on the ground beginning with the Week 12 matchup with Houston. Mack's absence may still leave a couple extra carries available for Hines, but the workload bump probably won't be substantial enough to change Hines' fantasy value in a significant manner.

Coach Frank Reich said that Williams and Jordan Wilkins (ankle) would take on expanded roles in the Colts' running attack with Marlon Mack (hand) out indefinitely, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

After undergoing surgery to repair the fractured right hand he sustained in Sunday's 33-13 win over the Jaguars, Mack has already been ruled out for the Colts' Week 12 game against the Texans and will most likely miss a few more contests beyond that. Williams already took advantage of Mack's early exit Sunday, rushing 13 times for 116 yards and recording a 31-yard reception to help salt away the victory. That performance might be enough to give Williams an early leg up when it comes to replacing Mack, especially since Wilkins was inactive Week 11 and now faces a short turnaround to overcome the ankle issue with the Colts playing the Texans on Thursday night. Nyheim Hines looms as another option in the backfield, but Reich suggested the 5-foot-9 dynamo would mostly remain in a change-of-pace role while Mack is sidelined.

Coach Frank Reich said Monday that Wilkins (ankle) and Jonathan Williams will likely split most of the work available in the backfield while Marlon Mack (hand) is out indefinitely, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

After undergoing surgery to repair the fractured right hand he sustained in Sunday's 33-13 win over the Jaguars, Mack has already been ruled out for the Colts' Week 12 game against the Texans and will most likely miss a few more contests beyond that. With Wilkins' own ankle issue keeping him inactive Sunday, Williams shouldered the load effectively, rushing 13 times for 116 yards and taking his lone reception for a 31-yard gain. That strong outing may give Williams a leg up over Wilkins in picking up work, especially with the latter shaking off an injury and now facing a quick turnaround with the Colts playing in Houston on Thursday night. Nyheim Hines lingers as another option in the backfield, but Reich suggested the 5-foot-9 scatback would mostly remain in a change-of-pace role.

Coach Frank Reich confirmed Monday that Mack underwent a procedure to repair his fractured right hand, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports. The running back has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Texans and is considered out indefinitely.

Considering the fracture is to the hand in which Mack typically carries the ball, playing through the injury with a cast on a short week was never a realistic outcome. Though the Colts aren't providing an estimated timeline for Mack's return, the expectation is that he'll be sidelined for multiple games following surgery. In his stead, Reich said that Jonathan Williams and Jordan Wilkins would likely share most of the carries, while pass-catching specialist Nyheim Hines is slated to remain in his hybrid/change-of-pace role, according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis.

Pollard carried the ball twice for 12 yards and caught all four of his targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Lions. He also added a two-point conversion.

The rookie running back had his best game yet as a pass catcher and topped 50 scrimmage yards for the first time since his huge Week 3 performance against Miami. Pollard remains firmly behind Ezekiel Elliott on the depth chart, but if offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is committed to getting the dynamic back more touches, Pollard could have deep-league value down the stretch.

Laird carried the ball once for seven yards during Sunday's loss to the Bills. He also caught all six of his targets for 51 yards.

Laird was effectively utilized as an aerial complement to Kalen Ballage during Sunday's divisional loss. The game script played out favorably for the rookie, as Miami trailed through all four quarters of the contest and was forced to lean on its aerial attack. Laird figures to play a similar role Week 12 against the Browns, but he won't be worth fantasy consideration outside of the deepest of leagues.

Wilson caught his lone target for a 25-yard touchdown in Sunday's 36-26 win over the Cardinals.

Wilson was limited to special teams duties for nearly the entire contest until he briefly saw the field for a screen pass that he took for 25 yards to seal the win for San Francisco. The 24-year-old was able to shed his healthy scratch status due to Matt Breida's ankle injury. If the latter is unable to heal up before next Sunday's contest against the Packers, then Wilson will suit up as depth and once again have the opportunity to vulture touchdowns away from the workhorses in the 49ers' running back stable -- he has five touchdowns on only 27 touches this season.

Mostert rushed six times for 13 yards and caught two balls on three targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 36-26 win over Arizona.

Matt Breida (ankle) was unable to suit up due to injury, so Mostert moved into the vacant co-starter role alongside Tevin Coleman like he has done on occasion this season. Neither back was able to do much of anything against the Cardinals' front seven, but Mostert had an especially rough go of things when he failed to secure a well-placed rainbow from Jimmy Garoppolo on a wheel route that likely would have broke for a touchdown or a huge gain at the bare minimum. Even with Sunday's dud, the speedy back still owns healthy averages of 5.2 yards per carry and 12.7 yards per catch in limited action. Breida's status is still uncertain for Week 12's NFC showdown against the Packers, and it would be a favorable matchup (Green Bay ranks 25th against the run) should Mostert be asked to fill in again.

Montgomery (ankle) carried the ball 14 times for 31 yards and caught one pass (three targets) for 19 yards in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Rams.

Montgomery was a game-time decision after rolling his ankle at practice earlier this week, but he was able to suit up and lead the team in carries. Unfortunately for his fantasy owners, the rookie was unable to do much against the Rams' stout interior defensive line, and he may have also been feeling the affects of the balky ankle. Despite the dud, Montgomery has been averaging 18 carries over his last four contests, and he will have a chance to feast against the Giants -- which allow 122.7 rushing yards per game -- on Sunday.