NFL Player News

Ford (wrist) is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Ford injured his wrist Week 14 against Jacksonville but returned to the game and then avoided an injury designation ahead of the Browns' Week 15 win over Chicago. He should be ready to go for Sunday's game in Houston, reprising his role as the leader of Cleveland's three-man backfield.

Mattison (ankle) was held out of practice Wednesday.

Mattison hasn't practiced since spraining his right ankle in the middle of the Vikings' 3-0 win in Las Vegas in Week 14, which sidelined him for this past Saturday's 27-24 overtime loss in Cincinnati. Head coach Kevin O'Connell told Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com on Wednesday that he hasn't ruled Mattison out for Sunday's game versus the Lions, but Minnesota likely will lean more on Ty Chandler at running back, even if the former is available. Mattison's listing on the team's last two Week 16 injury reports could reveal whether he has a chance to play this weekend.

Abanikanda was listed as limited participant Wednesday on the Jets' estimated injury report due to an ankle issue, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Abanikanda totaled a season-high six touches in Sunday's 30-0 loss to the Dolphins, but he also appears to have sustained an ankle injury at some point along the way. With the Jets out of playoff contention, the rookie running back could see extra work during the final three weeks of the season, as long as he can prove healthy enough to suit up. He'll work to ramp up his activity level in practice Thursday in anticipation of playing Sunday against the Commanders.

Brown (sternum) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Jay Morrison of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Brown thus is set to reprise his role as the Bengals' No. 2 back Saturday against Pittsburgh, following three straight games with at least nine touches on 18 or fewer snaps. Joe Mixon is still dominating the playing time in Cincinnati's backfield, but Brown also has emerged as a significant piece of the offense, remarkably touching the ball on 71.4 percent of his snaps over the past three weeks. The rookie out of Illinois should stay involved Saturday, though the limited playing time implies a rather low floor for fantasy production.

Dillon (thumb) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Prior to missing the first game of his four-year career this past Sunday versus the Buccaneers, Dillon was contained to one limited practice Friday in which he was seen wearing a large wrap to protect his broken right thumb. Ultimately, the Packers determined that ball security was too much of a concern to risk keeping Dillon active for Week 15, and he may be in a similar boat as Green Bay begins preparations for Week 16. Fellow running back Aaron Jones also had a cap on his reps Wednesday, so the statuses of the pair will need to be watched as Sunday's contest at Carolina approaches.

Jones was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a knee and finger injuries, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Jones was able to put an end to a three-game absence due to an MCL sprain this past Sunday against the Buccaneers, which was timely with fellow running AJ Dillon sitting out due to a broken thumb. While logging 29 of 60 offensive snaps in the Packers' 34-20 loss, Jones took 13 carries for 53 yards and gathered in all four targets for 16 yards. At the same time, Patrick Taylor earned 26 plays on offense and three touches for two yards from scrimmage, and Kenyan Drake notched five such snaps and one rush for no gain. Both Jones and Dillon are kicking off Week 16 prep with capped sessions, so the Green Bay backfield situation will need to be monitored over the next few days to get a sense if either may be available Sunday at Carolina.

Miller (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game at the Rams.

Miller was estimated as a limited participant for Tuesday and Wednesday's walk-through practices, so his availability for Thursday seems to be a 50-50 proposition. Even if Miller gets the green light to play, he may hold only a limited depth role in the New Orleans backfield behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.

Taylor (thumb) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

Taylor's "full" listing Wednesday -- albeit for what was a walk-through session -- has the running back trending toward a return to action Sunday against the Falcons. If Taylor -- who last suited up in Week 12 -- is able to maintain full participation Thursday and Friday, he'll even have a chance to approach Sunday's game minus an injury designation. Meanwhile, Zack Moss was deemed a non-participant Wednesday due to a forearm injury and looks to be in a worse spot on the health front after he had served as the Colts' starting running back for the past three games while Taylor was sidelined.

Mattison (ankle) wasn't spotted on the field during the portion of Wednesday's walkthrough open to the media, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Mattison sprained his right ankle during the Vikings' Week 14 win at Las Vegas, and while the severity of the injury hasn't been revealed, he hasn't been able to practice in the interim and missed this past Saturday's overtime loss in Cincinnati. On Wednesday, head coach Kevin O'Connell told Seifert that he wouldn't rule out Mattison for Sunday's game against the Lions, but O'Connell also implied Ty Chandler likely will be Minnesota's main running back in that contest. Mattison's activity level to begin Week 16 prep will be revealed later Wednesday.

Patterson was cut from the Chargers' practice squad Wednesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Patterson has been on the team's practice squad since Sept. 13, but he never received an elevation to the active roster. The 23-year-old will work to find a new opportunity before the 2023 campaign comes to a close.