NFL Player News

Conner, who is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Raiders, could also miss the Steelers' subsequent matchup with the Patriots in Week 15, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Though Conner was initially diagnosed with a leg contusion after exiting the Steelers' Week 13 loss to the Chargers, Rapoport relays that the running back is dealing with something closer to a high-ankle sprain, which likely explains why Pittsburgh ruled him out five days ahead of gameday. Conner is scheduled to receive a follow-up evaluation Monday, which should help the Steelers determine whether or not he has a realistic shot at making it back for Week 15. As for Sunday, the Steelers are expected to install rookie fifth-round pick Jaylen Samuels as their top running back, with Stevan Ridley potentially mixing in on occasion.

Gordon (knee) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Bengals but could be ready to play in the Chargers' Thursday night game in Kansas City in Week 15, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Gordon will be sidelined for the second straight contest while recovering from an MCL sprain of his right knee, an injury that was always expected to sideline him for multiple games. Despite the quick turnaround for the Week 15 contest, the Chargers apparently have some optimism that Gordon might be able to go, even though he has yet to practice in any fashion since sustaining the injury. Gordon's activity in what will likely be light practices Monday and Tuesday should provide more of a hint as to which direction his status is trending in leading up to the matchup with the AFC West's top two teams.

Martin (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, is expected to play, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Martin was a full practice participant Wednesday through Friday, so it's somewhat surprising he carried an injury designation into the weekend in the first place. Nonetheless, the report should give Martin's fantasy managers more confidence in rolling fantasy lineups for the matchup with the Steelers, who have ranked 11th in the NFL this season with 4.2 yards per carry allowed.

Penny is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Vikings with an ankle injury, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Penny wasn't present on the injury report until Saturday so the specifics of the injury remain unclear, especially considering he wasn't listed as missing any practice. If able to play Monday, the 22-year-old should assume his usual complementary role to starting RB Chris Carson. Mike Davis would likely see an increased snap share if Penny is ultimately unable to suit up.

Mack said Friday he's the healthiest he has been all season, Zak Keefer of The Indianapolis Star reports.

In addition to the hamstring injury that held him out for most of August and September, the second-year running back has dealt with a sprained ankle, an unspecified foot injury and a concussion. While it's promising to see Mack absent from the Week 14 injury report, he'll still have his hands full Sunday against a stingy Houston defense that surrenders just 3.7 yards per carry and 91.3 rushing yards per game for the season. It doesn't help that the Colts are road underdogs.

Ekeler could continue to split backfield work with Justin Jackson during Sunday's game against the Bengals, Kyle Posey of USA Today reports. "[Ekeler's] wearing down a little bit. He's a core special teams guy for us and he's played a lot of running back for us," coach Anthony Lynn said. "So he's a little tired. You might see Justin play a little bit more, you might see [Detrez] Newsome play some this week."

With Melvin Gordon (knee) sidelined in the Week 13 win over the Steelers, Ekeler stepped into the starting role and led the team in touches (13 carries, five receptions), but produced just 43 total yards. Jackson, meanwhile, shined in a reserve capacity, carrying eight times for 63 yards and a touchdown while hauling in a 19-yard reception. The rookie out of Northwestern had also sparkled in garbage time against the Cardinals a week prior and may have staked his claim to a meaningful spot in the backfield rotation behind Ekeler with Gordon set to miss a second straight game. If Jackson maintains last week's workload and/or if Newsome is added to the mix as well, Ekeler's fantasy ceiling would be significantly lower than many anticipated when Gordon first went down with the injury.

Mixon (foot) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Mixon was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday, but there never seemed to be much concern about his Week 14 availability. The Bengals are in a tough spot as heavy road underdogs this week, facing a Chargers defense that's tied for 13th in yards per carry (4.4) and 11th in rushing yards allowed (104 per game). Mixon and wideout Tyler Boyd are doing their best to keep an injury-depleted offense afloat.

Though Cook is back to full health after missing five games earlier this season due to a hamstring injury, coach Mike Zimmer was unwilling to commit to the running back reclaiming a workload on par with what he received in 2017, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "We'll see. Every game is different," Zimmer said, in response to how extensively Cook would be used Sunday against the Seahawks. "Every game is different. This team plays a lot of extra guy in the box, so we'll just have to see."

Before his inaugural campaign came to an end after four games due to a torn ACL, Cook looked like one of the NFL's top backs while averaging 18.5 carries and four targets per contest. In his return from the major injury in Week 1 of the current season, Cook handled 22 touches (16 carries, six receptions), but he's logged no more than 17 in any of his other six appearances. The hamstring issue may have permanently put any plans to gradually expand Cook's workload on ice for the time being, even though he's suited up in the Vikings' last four games and has avoided any setbacks. Zimmer's comments don't inspire much confidence that Cook will dominate the backfield carries versus Seattle to an overwhelming extent, so expect Latavius Murray to remain a part of the game plan and earn a handful of totes, particularly in short-yardage scenarios.

Gordon (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Cincinnati, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Gordon hasn't practiced since suffering an MCL sprain Nov. 25 and likely faces an uphill battle to make it back for a Thursday night game against the Chiefs in Week 15. As for the immediate future, Gordon's absence leaves Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson to split the backfield work against a Bengals defense ranked 24th in yards per carry (4.9) and dead last in rushing yards allowed (153.3 per game) this season.

The Raiders are listing Martin (knee) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Martin was a full participant in practices Wednesday and Thursday and took part in Friday's session in at least some fashion, so it seems likely that he'll be available to play this weekend. If Martin suits up as anticipated, there's a chance his workload could be more restricted than usual if the Raiders -- who are double-digit home underdogs -- are forced to abandon the run game. That would yield a more favorable game script for passing-down specialist Jalen Richard than Martin.