NFL Player News

Elliott (shoulder) will participate in Thursday's practice, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Elliott appeared on the Cowboys' initial Week 15 injury report with a sore shoulder, but his absence from Wednesday's practice was characterized as more of a maintenance day than anything. The running back's presence at practice a day later supports that notion, though it won't be known until after the session concludes whether Elliott was a limited or full participant. Either way, Elliott is in no danger of missing Sunday's game against the Colts and should again be on tap for a sizable workload after logging a season-high 40 touches in the Week 14 win over the Eagles.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, "it will be challenging" for Gordon (knee) to suit up Thursday night at Kansas City.

Gordon was initially given a 2-to-4 week timetable for his return from a Grade 2 MCL sprain, and the Thursday night matchup lies 18 days from that original diagnosis. Schefter notes that a final determination will be made on Gordon during pregame warmups, but his tone did not appear to be overly optimistic. In any case, anyone considering rostering Gordon this week will need to pay careful attention to the inactives announcement that will occur approximately 90 minutes prior to the 8:20 p.m. EST kickoff. Should Gordon be forced to miss his third game in a row, Justin Jackson would earn immediate consideration as the projected lead back, given that Austin Ekeler (neck/concussion) has already been ruled out. Whether it's Gordon or Jackson, the Chargers will be facing a defense that is surrendering the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs in standard formats.

Drake (shoulder) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Drake's practice reps were restricted last week due to the shoulder issue, but he didn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Patriots. The running back logged 24 of the Dolphins' 48 offensive snaps and carried six times for 24 yards, but his fantasy line was salvaged by a wild hook-and-ladder touchdown -- credited as a 55-yard catch -- as time expired to give Miami an upset win. His limitations Wednesday were more than likely maintenance-related, so the expectation is that he'll be good to go for the Week 15 matchup with Minnesota.

Coach Pete Carroll said Penny won't practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Penny strangely avoided all three Week 14 injury reports but still was listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Vikings as a result of an ankle issue. He brushed it off and turned eight rushes into 44 yards in the victory, marking his fourth outing in five games where he averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry. The rookie hasn't been able to usurp Chris Carson for a featured role so far, and tending to injuries in back-to-back weeks won't help his cause.

Conner (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports. "James Conner, with his ankle injury, had a really impressive week last week," Tomlin noted after the session. "We'll see what this week holds, and his availability [for Sunday's game against the Patriots] will be based on his health and then his preparedness. We'll see about his availability throughout the course of the week and let his availability and then the quality of that be our guide."

Based on Tomlin's comments, it would seem that Conner, who sat out the Week 14 loss to the Raiders, has a shot to play in the team's crucial matchup with New England. Conner's continued absence from practice isn't the most encouraging sign, but he'll be viewed as day-to-day leading up to the weekend unless the Steelers suggest otherwise. If Conner ends up being limited at all of held out of action in Week 15, the Steelers would once again turn to the combination of Jaylen Samuels and Stevan Ridley in the backfield.

Elliott was held out of practice Wednesday due to a shoulder injury, Calvin Watkins of The Athletic reports. "Just a maintenance day," Elliott told Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News. "Just got a little sore shoulder. It's late in the season. I've had a lot of touches. Just trying to make sure I'm fresh for [Sunday's game against the Colts]."

After Elliott ripped up the Eagles for 192 yards from scrimmage in the Cowboys' Week 14 win, coach Jason Garrett relayed the running back was feeling fine as a result of a neck injury he suffered in the fourth quarter. Elliott was seen in sweats at the beginning of Wednesday's practice, though, creating questions about his health. He put them to rest with his comments afterward. Elliott has two more sessions this week to prove that the shoulder issue won't impact his upcoming availability.

Williams is likely to serve as the Chiefs' top option out of the backfield Thursday against the Chargers with Spencer Ware (hamstring) listed as doubtful for the contest, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

There's not much in the way of tough competition behind Williams on the depth chart, as undrafted rookie Darrel Williams has played six total offensive snaps all season and Charcandrick West just signed with the Chiefs less than two weeks ago. With that in mind, Williams should have a path to double-digit carries to go with involvement in the passing game if Ware sits out. That kind of workload would be enough to make just about any back a decent fantasy option, but Williams' presence on the league's best scoring offense elevates his outlook another notch. At least for the short term, Williams needs to be owned in every league where he's still sitting on the waiver wire.

Ekeler (neck/concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, top running back Melvin Gordon (knee) is listed as questionable for the contest, with his status likely to come down to a game-time call. With Ekeler unavailable, Justin Jackson would be next in line to handle the bulk of the Chargers' carries Thursday if Gordon is limited or out.

Gordon (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Chiefs.

Gordon's official status matches the notion previously put forth via Ricky Henne of the Chargers' official site that the decision on the running back's Week 15 status "will come down to the wire just before kickoff." What is known for sure already is that Gordon's top backup, Austin Ekeler (neck/concussion), has been ruled out. If Gordon is unavailable for a third straight game or limited at all, added work would be in store for Justin Jackson, with Detrez Newsome available in a reserve capacity.

Breida (ankle) will be limited at Wednesday's practice, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Coach Kyle Shanahan got ahead of any questions about Breida's status for Week 14 by ruling him out for that game one day after the running back played through a lingering ankle injury in a Dec. 2 loss to the Seahawks. The reprieve from game action appears to have done Breida some good, but it remains to be seen if he'll do enough in practice this week to be cleared for a rematch with Seattle this weekend. In Breida's place this past Sunday, Jeff Wilson compiled 96 yards from scrimmage on 24 touches as the lead back in a 20-14 win over the Broncos.