NFL Player News

Dillon (thumb) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Carolina, with head coach Matt LaFleur saying Friday that he feels good about the running back's progress, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

A broken thumb kept Dillon out for last week's 34-20 loss to Tampa Bay, allowing Patrick Taylor to take 43 percent of snaps (but only three touches) while mixing in behind Aaron Jones in Jones' first game back from an MCL sprain. Jones will lead the way again this Sunday, with either Dillon or Taylor coming in behind him. Dillon is more of a threat to get a significant number of touches, even if the broken thumb slightly compromises his ball security and ability to catch passes. It's possible his active status comes down to a game-time decision ahead of the Packers' 1 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Jones (knee/finger) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Carolina, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Jones will lead the Green Bay backfield again, though his percentage of the RB touches might be smaller with AJ Dillon (thumb) seemingly on track to return and replace Patrick Taylor as the No. 2 back. The No. 2 role hasn't involved many touches when it's been in Taylor's hands this year, even when he gets around 40 or 50 percent of the snaps. Dillon is listed as questionable after missing last week, and there's a good chance the Packers prioritize their RBs more than usual this Sunday, facing a weak opponent while dealing with numerous injuries at wide receiver.

Breida (hamstring) was considered a limited participant on the Giants' estimated injury report Friday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

Breida was limited at the team's practice session Thursday and remained less than a full participant on Friday's estimated report. He'll look to increase his workload during Saturday's final session ahead of the team's Week 16 matchup with the Eagles on Monday.

Mattison (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions.

After missing the Vikings' 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals last weekend and then sitting out the team's first two practices of Week 16, Mattison returned to practice Friday. The running back appears to have demonstrated enough progress in his recovery from a right knee sprain to at least put himself in consideration to play Sunday, but final word on his status won't arrive until Minnesota releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the game's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Even if Mattison gets clearance to play, he'll likely be filling a supporting role behind Ty Chandler, who broke out for 23 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown to go with three catches for 25 yards while serving as Minnesota's lead back last week. According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, head coach Kevin O'Connell hinted earlier this week that Chandler could remain in a featured role moving forward on the heels of his big game, especially after Mattison had lost two fumbles and was limited to 3.9 yards per carry and no touchdowns on 168 totes through his first 13 appearances of the season.

Jacobs (quadricep) was present for practice Friday, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Jacobs didn't practice Thursday, but his looming participation in Friday's session bodes well for his chances of suiting up Monday against the Chiefs. The Raiders' second injury report of the week will be released later Friday and will shed light on the extent of Jacobs' practice participation.

Mattison (ankle) returned to practice Friday, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

It's his first participation of any kind since spraining an ankle during a 3-0 win over the Raiders in Week 14. Ty Chandler then took 81 percent of Minnesota's snaps on offense en route to 157 total yards in an overtime loss to the Bengals in Week 15, so he may remain the lead back even if Mattison is active for Sunday's game against Detroit.

Edwards-Helaire won't practice Friday while he tends to a personal matter, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Fellow running back Jerick McKinnon (groin) is also sitting out Friday's practice, but even if both are cleared to play Monday against the Raiders, the two will likely see decreased roles, with Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) set to put an end to his two-game absence. While Pacheco was sidelined, Edwards-Helaire served as Kansas City's lead option on the ground, carrying 24 times for 76 yards to go with six catches for 93 yards and a touchdown between Weeks 14 and 15.

Robinson (hamstring) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

As expected after a second straight week of missed practice, though Robinson did at least manage some side work with the training staff. His next chance to play will be Dec. 31 against the 49ers. In the meantime, Chris Rodriguez and Antonio Gibson figure to get most of the backfield snaps/touches, with Jonathan Williams (concussion) or Derrick Gore potentially being elevated from the practice squad for depth.

McKinnon (groin) remained sidelined at Friday's practice, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

McKinnon has missed each of Kansas City's first two practices this week, but he'll have one more chance to take the practice field Saturday before the team publishes its Week 16 injury report for Monday's game against the Raiders. It's unclear if McKinnon's current injury is related to the groin injury that sidelined him in Weeks 12 and 13.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that he expects Achane (toe) to play Sunday gainst the Cowboys, Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post reports.

McDaniel mentioned that Achane has been playing through injuries in recent weeks, so there's a still a decent chance that the rookie running back will carry an injury designation into Sunday's game. Before the Dolphins decide whether or not Achane takes a questionable tag into the weekend, the coaching staff will see what he's able to do in Friday's practice. Regardless, Achane looks poised to play Sunday, as does Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle), whose absences from practices Wednesday and Thursday were deemed precautionary, according to McDaniel.