NFL Player News

Akers, who is listed as questionable for Monday's wild-card contest against the Rams with an illness, is expected to play, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

It appears as if there's a bug going around in the Vikings backfield, as Ty Chandler didn't practice Friday due to an illness. In any case, Akers is likely going to reprise his role as the backup to Aaron Jones (quadriceps) in the playoff matchup Monday night. Expect official confirmation to occur ahead of the 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Patterson (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's wild-card game versus Houston.

Patterson was elevated from the practice squad Friday, but he isn't going to suit up. J.K. Dobbins (ankle) entered Saturday deemed questionable to take the field, but he's been cleared to play, as has Gus Edwards, who dealt with an ankle injury of his own during practice this week. Hassan Haskins will join Dobbins and Edwards in the Chargers' backfield, while Kimani Vidal joins Patterson as a healthy inactive.

Both Edwards (ankle) and J.K. Dobbins (ankle) are listed as active for Saturday's wild-card contest at Houston, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

The running backs were limited participants on the first two practice reports of the week due to ankle issues, and while Dobbins remained that way Thursday and was listed as questionable heading into the weekend, Edwards was a full participant to cap the week and avoided a designation for the Chargers' postseason opener. With Dobbins now confirmed to be available as well Saturday, the team's top two options at the position likely will split the RB reps between them, while Hassan Haskins is on hand for any work that lingers.

Vidal is inactive for Saturday's wild-card matchup against the Texans.

With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards both healthy for the postseason contest, Vidal will revert back to his status as a healthy inactive like he did Weeks 10-12. Hassan Haskins will operate as the team's third back given his utility as a special teams player.

Dobbins (ankle) is listed as active for Saturday's wild-card game at Houston.

Dobbins was a limited practice participant all week due to an ankle injury, which seemingly was the result of getting tackled awkwardly near the end of the first quarter last Sunday In Las Vegas, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The running back was able to finish out the contest en route to 21 touches for 75 yards from scrimmage on a 65 percent snap share, as position mate Gus Edwards (ankle) was sidelined. Edwards himself followed an LP/LP/FP practice regimen this week before heading into the weekend without a designation. With Dobbins confirmed to be available as well, the pair likely will have close to an even split of the backfield reps in the Chargers' playoff opener.

Dobbins (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest against the Texans, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

It would have been a real surprise if Dobbins would have been unavailable for Los Angeles' playoff game, but it appears that reality won't come to fruition. Official confirmation of the running back's status, either way, is set to arrive once inactives are posted ahead of Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

Laube returned a kickoff for 19 yards, but he logged just one offensive snap in the Raiders' Week 18 loss to the Chargers.

Laube concluded his 2024 campaign with just one carry for no gain and a lost fumble across 10 games, also returning six kickoffs for 164 yards. The sixth rounder's rookie season was especially disappointing when considering the litany of injuries suffered by his backfield mates, as each of Alexander Mattison, Zamir White (quadriceps), Ameer Abdullah (foot) and Sincere McCormick (ankle) missed time. Laube has three years remaining on his contract in Las Vegas, but neither playing time nor a roster spot are guaranteed in 2025 with the Raiders slated to hire a new head coach and general manager.

Collier rushed twice for six yards in the Raiders' season finale, a 34-20 loss to the Chargers. He also caught one of two targets for a loss of four yards.

Collier, who was waived by the Ravens in early November before landing in Las Vegas, finished his 2024 campaign with five carries for 12 yards across three games with the Silver & Black. The undrafted 24-year-old out of Lock Haven will face an uphill battle for a roster spot again in 2025, though Collier has proven capable of earning a special teams role.

Badie (back), who remains on IR, is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's road AFC wild-card round game against the Bills, Susanna Weir of the Broncos' official site reports.

Badie logged a trio of full practices this week, but he'll need to be officially brought off IR by Saturday's deadline in order to be eligible to play Sunday. If cleared to face Buffalo, Badie will figure to handle a depth role in Denver's backfield, which already houses Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Javonte Williams and Blake Watson.

The Chargers elevated Patterson to their active roster Friday.

The Buffalo product has spent most of his 2024 campaign with the Chargers' practice squad after failing to make the active roster in late August. Patterson has appeared in one game for the Chargers this season, recording no stats while playing just one special-teams snap. His elevation ensures depth at running back for Saturday's wild-card matchup against the Texans, with J.K. Dobbins (ankle) listed as questionable.