NFL Player News

Freeman is expected to work as the Broncos' lead rusher out of the backfield Sunday against the Chargers with Phillip Lindsay (wrist) set to miss the contest, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

After undergoing an MRI on Tuesday, Lindsay was diagnosed with significant ligament damage in his right wrist, which he injured in the Week 16 loss to the Raiders. Lindsay will receive a second opinion on the injury before it's determined whether surgery is necessary, but the Broncos won't keep the undrafted rookie active even if he receives positive news. As a result, Freeman will likely have his best opportunity since Week 1 -- when he logged a season-high 15 carries -- to make a major splash in the fantasy realm. He won't necessarily have a clear path to a three-down role, however, as Devontae Booker likely will see a fair amount of work in obvious passing situations.

Coach Mike Tomlin indicated Tuesday that he views Conner (ankle) as questionable for the Steelers' Week 17 game against the Bengals, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Tomlin noted that Conner's availability for the regular-season finale will hinge on the running back's participation in practices Wednesday through Friday. Conner was unable to log any on-field activity in practice at any point before Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Saints, resulting in him missing a third straight contest. If Conner fails to demonstrate meaningful progress within the next few days, Jaylen Samuels would again be positioned to lead the Pittsburgh backfield for another game.

Freeman rushed seven times for 21 yards and couldn't corral his lone target in Monday night's 27-14 loss to Oakland.

Freeman became the Broncos' lead back once Phillip Lindsay was ruled out in the second half with a wrist injury, but the 22-year-old didn't do much with the opportunity. Game script didn't help, though, as the Broncos trailed by multiple scores for much of the contest. If Lindsay is unable to go at home Week 17 against the Chargers, Freeman likely would share backfield duties with Devontae Booker.

Martin rushed for 107 yards and one touchdown on 21 attempts, adding one reception for nine yards during Monday's 27-14 win against the Broncos.

Coming into Monday night's game, it had been 40 straight outings for Martin since the last time he reached 100 rushing yards. But against a Denver defense that earlier this year became the first in NFL history to allow 200-yard rushers in consecutive games within the same season, anything is possible. Martin entered Christmas Eve having averaged a putrid 2.8 yards per carry between Weeks 14 and 15, but he scampered for a 24-yard score in the second quarter to provide Oakland with a 14-0 lead and rode that momentum to an impressive 107-yard showing. He continues to provide virtually no added value as a pass catcher with just three catches for 15 yards over his past four games, but he's offset that deficiency with three rushing scores during that span. Week 17 presents a promising matchup, as Martin and the Raiders backfield prepare to go up against a Kansas City defense that ranks bottom five in terms of both rushing yards (1,987) and rushing touchdowns (19) allowed this season.

Wilson will be the 49ers' lead back Week 17 against the Rams with Matt Breida (ankle) ruled out for the season finale, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

When Breida previously yielded the role to Wilson in Week 14, the latter turned a season-high 62 offensive snaps into 23 rushes for 90 yards and one catch (on two targets) for six yards. On the season, Wilson has averaged 4.1 yards per carry and gathered in 80 percent of his 15 targets, so he has the ability to cripple defenses in a variety of ways. He'll look to keep it up against an LA defense that has given up 125.1 yards from scrimmage per game and 14 touchdowns to running backs this season.

Breida (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at the Rams, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Breida has expended enough stress on his lingering ankle injury for the 49ers to shut down their starting running back for the final contest of the season. Despite missing two full games and parts of others, he'll finish his second campaign with 153 carries for 854 yards (5.3 YPC) and three touchdowns to go with 27 receptions (on 31 targets) for 261 yards and two TDs. While Jeff Wilson and potentially Alfred Morris will populate the backfield Week 17, some combination of Breida and Jerick McKinnon (torn ACL) are slated to be the 49ers' top running back options in 2019.

Coach Pete Carroll is hopeful Penny (knee) returns for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Prior to earning inactive status for a second straight game this past Sunday against the Chiefs, Penny practiced for the first time in two weeks, logging a limited session Friday. It wasn't enough to prove the health of his knee, but it appears as if he'll have a chance to do so this week. Carroll elaborated to John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site, saying Penny should suit up Week 17 if he makes it through preparations OK. Assuming he does, Penny would split the reps not given to starting running back Chris Carson with fellow reserve Mike Davis.

Kelly carried 10 times for 40 yards and caught one pass for nine yards in Sunday's 31-9 win over the Cardinals.

Kelly's most extensive work this season was the result of starter Todd Gurley (knee) being inactive. The 2018 sixth-rounder worked behind C.J. Anderson -- who logged 167 yards and a TD on 20 carries Sunday -- and would be in line to do so again Week 17 against the 49ers, should the Rams elect to play it safe and sit Gurley once again.

Rodgers rushed twice for two yards and a touchdown and brought in all seven of his targets for 55 yards in the Buccaneers' 27-20 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.

Rodgers' two-yard touchdown with 20 seconds remaining in the first half was his first score on the ground since the regular-season opener against the Bears in 2017. Moreover, the veteran running back made his mark as a receiver out of the backfield, posting his second-best reception and receiving yardage totals of the campaign. Rodgers' production has naturally fluctuated this season as the primary backup to starter Peyton Barber, but his 37 receptions and 302 receiving yards on the season both rank as his third-highest figures in those categories over his eight-year career.

Coach Anthony Lynn expects Ekeler (neck/concussion) to return Sunday at Denver, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Lynn may be hinting that Ekeler has gained clearance from the concussion protocol, but official word on that front has yet to emerge. Perhaps working in Ekeler's favor was his limited listing on the final Week 16 injury report before he was ruled out for Saturday's eventual loss to the Ravens. In the end, his activity level will be watched closely to get a bearing on his potential to play in the Chargers' regular-season finale.