NFL Player News

The Cardinals elevated Carter from the practice squad ahead of Saturday's game at the Rams, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Arizona listed its top two running backs James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle) as questionable for Week 17 action, and while the former at the very least is expected to play Saturday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Carter will serve as insurance in the event either player is limited or inactive. Last Sunday at Carolina, Carter earned 25 (of 70) offensive snaps, which he parlayed into 10 touches for 48 yards from scrimmage, while position mate DeeJay Dallas had a one-yard TD catch during 18 plays.

The Saints promoted Edwards-Helaire to the active roster Saturday.

With Alvin Kamara (groin) still sidelined, Edwards-Halaire will join a plethora of available backs for New Orleans, including Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims. This will be Edwards-Helaire's first time suiting up on a 53-man roster this season.

With Tony Pollard (ankle/illness) ruled out, per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site, Spears is slated to see an expanded role Sunday against the Jaguars.

In the absence of Pollard, Spears is slated to lead Tennessee's backfield, with Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley available to mix in. Spears, who carried 10 times for 27 yards and two touchdowns and caught three of his four targets for 39 yards in a 38-30 loss to the Colts last weekend on a 61 percent snap share, is thus in a position to absorb some of Pollard's workload versus Jacksonville, a context that boosts his fantasy upside in Week 17.

Guerendo (foot/hamstring) is expected to play Monday against the Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 49ers have yet to post their final Week 17 injury report, but he seems destined to be listed as questionable considering he was limited in practice Thursday and Friday due to the foot and hamstring issues that sidelined him Week 16 at Miami. Assuming he's able to suit up Monday, he should take on the lead role out of San Francisco's backfield, which amounted to 37 touches for 203 yards from scrimmage and two rushing TDs between Weeks 14 and 15.

Pollard (ankle/illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Pollard was previously listed as questionable for the contest with an ankle injury, but with the running back now also dealing with an illness, he's been downgraded to out by the Titans. With Pollard unavailable, Tyjae Spears is slated to lead the team's Week 17 backfield, with Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley on hand to mix in.

The Panthers signed Boone to their active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

With fellow running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) having landed on injured reserve, Boone will be needed for the Panthers' final two regular-season games. Per Gantt, Boone and Raheem Blackshear are in line handle backfield duties in Hubbard's absence, a context that makes Boone worth a roster dart for those scrambling for Week 17 running back help.

Pollard, who was previously listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars with an ankle injury, is also dealing with the flu, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Per Fowler, Pollard -- who had planned to play through his ankle issue -- isn't expected to travel with the Titans on Saturday. If he's deemed unable to play Sunday, Tyjae Spears would be in line to see an expanded role in the team's Week 17 backfield.

Gibson will start at running back over Rhamondre Stevenson in Saturday's game against the Chargers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

On the heels of his recent fumbling issues, Stevenson is slated to give way to Gibson on Saturday, at least in terms of the starting assignment. That said, we'd still expect Stevenson to see his share of work versus the Chargers, but his ball security issues of late should lead to Gibson seeing a higher percentage of New England's backfield snaps than usual in Week 17.

Stevenson won't start at running back for the Patriots in Saturday's game against the Chargers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

In the wake of his recent fumbling issues, Stevenson is slated to give way to fellow RB Antonio Gibson, at least in terms of Saturday's start. That said, we'd still expect Stevenson to see his share of work versus the Chargers, but his ball security issues of late could lead to Gibson logging a higher percentage of New England's backfield snaps compared to his usual in Week 17.

Dobbins (knee) is listed as active for Saturday's game against the Patriots, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

The return of Dobbins -- who was activated from IR on Friday after having missed four games since the Chargers' Week 12 loss to the Ravens -- arrives at an opportune juncture, with fellow running back Gus Edwards having been ruled out with an ankle issue. Prior to sustaining his knee injury, Dobbins recorded 766 yards and eight touchdowns on 158 carries (4.8 yards per carry) and added 28 catches for 134 yards in 11 contests. In his return to the lineup, the 26-year-old will have an opportunity to reclaim the lead role in a Week 17 Los Angeles backfield that will also include Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins. The 9-6 Chargers can clinch a playoff spot with a win Saturday.