NFL Player News

The Steelers are optimistic that Conner will clear the NFL's concussion protocol and suit up in the team's next game Nov. 18 against the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Conner sustained a head injury in Thursday's 52-21 win over the Panthers, during which he piled up 65 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries and reeled in his lone target for eight yards. The lengthier turnaround between games should prove beneficial for Conner in his recovery from the concussion, as he'll have nine days to pass the five-step protocol rather than the typical six. Assuming he endures no setbacks and gains clearance to play, Conner should reprise his usual three-down duties for the Steelers, with the second-year back seemingly on track to hold that role for the remainder of the season. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Le'Veon Bell is unlikely to report to the Steelers by Tuesday's deadline, which would leave Pittsburgh's former lead back ineligible to play at any point in 2018.

Patterson (neck) does not carry a Week 10 injury designation in advance of Sunday's game against the Titans.

After being limited Wednesday and Thursday, both Patterson and Julian Edelman (ankle) were removed from the team's injury report Friday. The Patriots thus list six players as questionable this week (a modest total by their standards) in a game that will feature a coaching matchup between Bill Belichick and one of his former players, Mike Vrabel. With Patterson's availability in no doubt, the versatile wideout's Week 10 fantasy prospects now hinge on the status of RB Sony Michel (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. If Michel ends up being made inactive, Patterson would once again be a candidate to see added snaps out of the Patriots backfield, while James White would maintain his high volume change-of-pace/pass-catching duties.

Mack (foot) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after practicing fully Friday.

Since returning to action Week 6 following a hamstring issue, Mack has seen his workload and production increase in each of the Colts' three contests since then. This weekend, he'll look to build off his 25-carry/132-yard/two-TD effort against the Raiders in Week 8. He'll do so while facing a Jacksonville squad that has dropped four straight games and is allowing an average of 123.3 yards on the ground to date.

Clement (illness) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest versus the Cowboys.

Clement was absent from Thursday's session due to an illness, but the ailment subsided enough for him to practice in full to wrap up Week 10 prep. On the heels of the Eagles' bye week, it'll be interesting to see the breakdown of backfield reps. While Wendell Smallwood has acted as the lead running back for much of the season, Clement has been the preferred handcuff, when healthy. However, in the Eagles' last game Oct. 28, Clement was surpassed by Josh Adams in terms of snaps on offense -- 13 versus 18 -- behind Smallwood's 31 (of 62).

Jones II (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Redskins, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Jones has yet to practice since straining his hamstring Oct. 28, forcing back-to-back absences so far. During the rookie running back's first DNP this past Sunday at Carolina, Peyton Barber led the Buccaneers backfield, per usual, but Jacquizz Rodgers was just behind him in terms of offensive snap count (35 versus 26).

Martin (hip) doesn't have an injury status for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Martin started the week with a pair of limited practices and never seemed to be in much danger of missing the game. Workload is his real concern on an Oakland team that's been struggling to keep games competitive. The Chargers have given up 4.4 yards per carry, but their success on the other side of the ball has sometimes forced opponents to abandon the run, including a 26-10 win over the Raiders in Week 5 when Marshawn Lynch (groin) was limited to nine carries.

Clement (illness) took part in Friday's practice, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Clement sat out Thursday's session due to his ailment, but it appears he only needed the lone day off to feel better. It remains to be seen if he will be listed on the Eagles' final injury report of the week, but even if he is, he figures to be available for Sunday's matchup with the Cowboys.

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed after Thursday's 52-21 win over the Panthers that Conner is in the league's concussion protocol, NFL.com reports.

Conner finished the contest with 13 carries for 65 yards and a TD and one catch for eight yards. He'll now look to gain medical clearance in advance of the Steelers' Nov. 18 road tilt against the Jaguars. Meanwhile, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, Steelers president Art Rooney II expects running back Le'Veon Bell (contract dispute) to report to the team next week. Assuming that's the case, the Steelers will have some decisions to make with regard to their backfield leading up to Week 11 action. In such a scenario, Conner's health and Bell's fitness level will no doubt be key factors, but either way it will be interesting to see how the team's carries might be divided if and when both players are available.

McCaffrey rushed 14 times for 77 yards and a touchdown and also brought in all five of his targets for 61 yards and two more scores in the Panthers' 52-21 loss to the Steelers on Thursday. He also recovered a Cam Newton fumble.

McCaffrey was one of the few bright spots for the Panthers on the night, as he was responsible for all three of their scores and once again shined through both the ground and air. The 2017 first-round pick opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter before adding a 25-yard scoring grab in the second on a play when he was left alone on the left side of the field. McCaffrey would add a one-yard touchdown on the ground with the contest well out of reach in the latter half of the fourth quarter, his fourth of the season. The 22-year-old has now logged double-digit carries for three consecutive games, with Thursday's usage especially encouraging considering it came in a blowout scenario. McCaffrey will look to continue his strong stretch of play against the Lions in Week 11 matchup on Nov. 18.

Conner is being evaluated for a concussion in the fourth quarter of Thursday's game against the Panthers and is questionable to return.

Conner had a slow game on the ground by his recent standards before exiting, logging 65 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while adding one reception for eight yards. The rushing numbers still equate to five yards per carry, but it looks as if Conner's four-game 100-yard rushing streak will come to an end in Week 10. With Thursday's contest well out of hand in the fourth quarter, it is unlikely the Steelers will bring the second-year rusher back onto the field, even if he is cleared. Jaylen Samuels and Stevan Ridley figure to see an increased role for the rest of Thursday's blowout and possibly beyond if Conner is forced to miss game action. Pittsburgh will have 10 days to rest before taking on the Jaguars in Week 11.