NFL Player News

Demercado should continue to play a regular role in the Cardinals offense in the final two games of the regular season, Zach Gershman of the team's official site reports.

Speaking about Arizona's rookie class in general Thursday, coach Jonathan Gannon said, "Reps are gold right now for those guys, and they'll take the next step." Since the team's Week 14 bye, Demercado earned 24 percent of the offensive snaps Week 15 against the 49ers and then 38 percent this past Sunday at Chicago, combining for eight carries for 74 yards and one touchdown and eight catches (on 11 targets) for 46 yards in those games. James Conner is the Cardinals' unquestioned lead runner, but Demercado figures to continue being a regular option behind him Week 17 in Philadelphia and Week 18 versus the Seahawks.

Walker (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Walker didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday but was seen stretching prior to Friday's session, per Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. It remains to be seen if Walker did enough to be listed as a participant when the Seahawks release their final injury report Friday. The team likely will turn to Zach Charbonnet in a high-usage role if Walker doesn't end up playing Sunday.

Mostert (knee/ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest at Baltimore, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Mostert has been tending to knee and ankle issues since Week 11 prep, but he's been able to suit up in each of the last six games, a span in which he turned 100 carries into 407 yards and seven touchdowns and hauled in six of eight targets for 24 yards and another score. He's been able to handle double-digit rushes on each occasion, and coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that Mostert "should be good" to play this weekend, per Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald. As a result, Mostert will handle his typical workload Sunday as long as he's not included among the Dolphins' inactives when they're posted approximately 90 minutes before a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Achane (toe) was a full participant in practice Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Achane's toe injury won't keep him off the field Sunday, but there is less certainty over the availability of fellow running back Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle), whose only practice participation all week came in the form of a limited session Friday. If Mostert plays, he'll likely see the majority of touches in Miami's backfield over Achane and Jeff Wilson. Achane has logged between eight and 12 touches in each of the last three games.

Wilson (shoulder) is doubtful for Sunday's game at Minnesota, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Wilson seems to be on track to miss his sixth straight game due to a shoulder injury he sustained in Week 11 versus the Chargers. In that case, Patrick Taylor would figure as the Packers' third option at running back Sunday.

Strong had four carries for 29 yards and lost a fumble in Thursday's 37-20 win over the Jets in Week 17.

Strong was on the field for 14 offensive snaps, getting work to spell both Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt in what became a blowout by the end of the first half. The quick turnaround added some intrigue, as Hunt dealt with a groin injury early in the practice week. However, Strong was not needed for anything more than the role he's played the last few weeks: a handful of touches and a healthy dose of special teams duty.

Jacobs (quadriceps) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Colts, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

Jacobs was deemed a 'DNP' Wednesday through Friday, and though his doubtful designation suggests that he'll be sidelined this weekend, interim coach Antonio Pierce still considers the running back a game-time decision. "No need to rush it," Pierce said of Jacobs' status. "If he can go at one o'clock on Sunday, I'm happy with that." If, however, Jacobs is inactive versus Indianapolis, Zamir White would once again lead the Raiders backfield in Week 17.

Elliott (illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Elliott didn't practice Thursday due to an illness but was removed from the injury report after returning to practice Friday. The veteran running back is set to lead New England's backfield for a fourth consecutive game Sunday in the absence of Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle), with Kevin Harris and JaMycal Hasty comprising the running back depth behind Elliott.

Pacheco (concussion/shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Pacheco made an early exit from Monday's loss to the Raiders to get a concussion check, and he eventually was ruled out after the head injury was confirmed. He then didn't practice until Friday, when he went down as a limited participant. Coach Andy Reid told Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com on Friday that Pacheco is in the last stages of the concussion protocol and feels OK. Still, Pacheco will need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play this weekend, something that'll be confirmed, one way or another, when the Chiefs post their inactives about 90 minutes before a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Kansas City's backfield is in flux with Jerick McKinnon (groin) on IR and Clyde Edwards-Helaire missing the final two sessions of Week 17 prep due to an illness, but Pacheco presumably would lead the group if he's able to suit up Sunday.

Edwards-Helaire (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Edwards-Helaire didn't practice Thursday or Friday, and the Chiefs could be woefully shorthanded in the backfield if he's unavailable Sunday, as Isiah Pacheco (concussion/shoulder) is also listed as questionable. Pacheco was a limited participant in Friday's practice after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. La'Mical Perine is the only other running back on the roster, though Kansas City also has Deneric Prince and Keaontay Ingram on the practice squad. If Edwards-Helaire ultimately suits up Sunday and Pacheco doesn't, the 2020 first-round draft pick out of LSU would be in line to lead Kansas City's backfield.